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{{Short description|Band of four classically trained singers}}
{{Infobox Musical artist<!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist
| Name = Amici Forever
| Img =
| name = Amici Forever
| Img_capt = Lucy, Bruno, David & Tsakane
| image =
⚫
| caption =
| Img_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels -->
| Landscape =
| alias =
| Background = group_or_band
| origin = [[United Kingdom]]
| genre = [[Opera]]<br>[[Pop music|Pop]]<br>[[Operatic Pop]]
⚫
| Alias =
| Origin = [[United Kingdom]]
| years_active = 2002–present
| Genre = [[Opera]]<br>[[Pop music|Pop]]<br>[[Operatic Pop]]
| label = [[Sony BMG|Sony/BMG]], [[Arista Records|Arista]], [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| associated_acts =
| Years_active = 2002-Present
| website =
| Label = [[Sony BMG|Sony/BMG]]<br>[[Arista Records|Arista]]<br>[[RCA Records|RCA]]
⚫
| current_members = [[Lucy van Gasse]]<br>[[Bruno Santino]]<br>[[David Habbin]] <br>[[Tsakane Valentine]]
| Associated_acts =
⚫
| past_members = [[Nick Garrett (bass baritone)|Nick Garrett]]<br>[[Geoff Sewell]]<br>[[Jo Appleby]]
| URL = [http://www.AmiciForever.com AmiciForever.com]
⚫
| Current_members = [[Lucy van Gasse]]<br>[[Bruno Santino]]<br>[[David Habbin]] <br>[[Tsakane Valentine]]
⚫
| Past_members = [[Nick Garrett (bass baritone)|Nick Garrett]]<br>[[Geoff Sewell]]<br>[[Jo Appleby]]
}}
}}


Line 20: Line 18:


==History==
==History==
The members of Amici Forever met when rehearsing and performing at opera venues around the world. The band currently features a [[tenor]], a [[baritone]], and two [[soprano]] singers. In 2002 tenor [[Geoff Sewell]], originally from [[New Zealand]], came up with the idea of an "opera band" mixing traditional opera with contemporary pop. One of the original five members, [[Nick Garrett (bass baritone)|Nick Garrett]], a [[bass-baritone]], left the group in August 2005 to pursue a solo career, shortly after the release of ''Defined''.<ref>Spatz, David, J., [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-113721405.html "One fewer voice but still in tune"], ''[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]]'', September 30, 2005 (accessed via subscription 19 May 2010)</ref> [[Tenor]] [[Geoff Sewell]] left the group in February 2006 after his daughter Sienna was diagnosed with an [[autism spectrum disorder]] (ASD).<ref>Sharp, Ron, [http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/how-were-fighting-our-childrsquos-autism-1630210.html "How we're fighting our child’s autism"], ''[[The Independent]]'', 24 February 2009</ref> This was just after the highly successful tour of Australia and New Zealand. Amici Forever have celebrated two No 1 albums with ''The Opera Band'' and ''Defined'' in Geoff Sewell's homeland of New Zealand. He was replaced with Brazilian Italian [[baritone]] [[Bruno Santino]]. On 20 September 2006 it was announced on the Amici Forever website that [[Jo Appleby]] would be leaving the group to pursue a career as a solo artist. Lucy van Gasse was introduced as the newest member of Amici in February 2007.
The members of Amici Forever met when rehearsing and performing at opera venues around the world. The band currently features a [[tenor]], a [[baritone]], and two [[soprano]] singers. In 2002 tenor [[Geoff Sewell]], originally from [[New Zealand]], alongside renowned classical crossover manager Nadia Raibin came up with the idea of an "opera band" mixing traditional opera with contemporary pop. One of the original five members, [[Nick Garrett (bass baritone)|Nick Garrett]], a [[bass-baritone]], left the group in August 2005 to pursue a solo career, shortly after the release of ''Defined''.<ref>Spatz, David, J., [https://web.archive.org/web/20121104031809/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-113721405.html "One fewer voice but still in tune"], ''[[The Record (Bergen County)|The Record]]'', September 30, 2005 (accessed via subscription 19 May 2010)</ref> [[Tenor]] [[Geoff Sewell]] left the group in February 2006 after his daughter Sienna was diagnosed with an [[autism spectrum disorder]] (ASD).<ref>Sharp, Ron, [https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/how-were-fighting-our-childrsquos-autism-1630210.html "How we're fighting our child’s autism"], ''[[The Independent]]'', 24 February 2009</ref> This was just after the highly successful tour of Australia and New Zealand. Amici Forever have celebrated two No 1 albums with ''The Opera Band'' and ''Defined'' in Geoff Sewell's homeland of New Zealand. He was replaced with Brazilian Italian [[baritone]] [[Bruno Santino]]. On 20 September 2006 it was announced on the Amici Forever website that [[Jo Appleby]] would be leaving the group to pursue a career as a solo artist. Lucy van Gasse was introduced as the newest member of Amici in February 2007.


Amici Forever signed with [[Arista Records]] and started playing high profile gigs such as the [[FA Cup]] final and the English [[rugby union]] final. [[Nick Patrick (music)|Nick Patrick]], who had produced albums by the [[Gipsy Kings]], [[Tina Turner]] and [[Marvin Gaye]] produced the band's first album, ''[[The Opera Band]]''.
Amici Forever signed with [[Arista Records]] and started playing high-profile gigs such as the [[FA Cup]], the [[UEFA Champions League]] final in 2003 and the English [[rugby union]] final. [[Nick Patrick (music)|Nick Patrick]], who had produced albums by the [[Gipsy Kings]], [[Tina Turner]] and [[Marvin Gaye]] produced the band's first album, ''[[The Opera Band]]''.


''[[The Opera Band]]'' was released on 13 January 2004 and soon reached number 74 in the [[Billboard 200]] album charts and the top 50 of the [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]] Australian album charts. The album has also reached number 2 on the Billboard Classical Crossover and Heatseeker charts. It became number one on the ARIA Australian classical album chart, as well as the top 5 on the UK classical charts. The album was nominated for "Album of the Year" at the [[Classical Brit Awards]] held at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] on 26 May 2004 where they also performed.
''[[The Opera Band]]'' was released on 13 January 2004 and soon reached number 74 in the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] album charts and the top 50 of the [[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]] Australian album charts. The album has also reached number 2 on the Billboard Classical Crossover and Heatseeker charts. It became number one on the ARIA Australian classical album chart, as well as the top 5 on the UK classical charts. In addition it peaked at #39 in the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 22}}</ref> The album was nominated for "Album of the Year" at the [[Classical Brit Awards]] held at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] on 26 May 2004 where they also performed the album's signature song 'Prayer in the Night', composed by [[James Shearman]] based on Handel's Sarabande, with lyrics by Sam Babenia.


===The Band===
===Members===


As of February 2007, the band consisted of:
As of February 2007, the band consisted of:
* '''[[Lucy van Gasse]]''' ([[England]]) (soprano), born in [[Nailsea]], a little town just outside [[Bristol]]. She has a [[Bachelor of Music]] from [[Cardiff University]].<ref>Classical X, [http://www.classicalx.com/article762.html Amici Welcomes Lucy van Gasse]</ref>
* '''[[Lucy van Gasse]]''' ([[England]]) (soprano), born in [[Nailsea]], a little town just outside [[Bristol]]. She has a [[Bachelor of Music]] from [[Cardiff University]] and a [[Master of Music]] from [[Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama]].<ref>Classical X, [http://www.classicalx.com/article762.html Amici Welcomes Lucy van Gasse] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517021747/http://www.classicalx.com/article762.html |date=May 17, 2008 }}</ref>
* '''[[Tsakane Valentine Maswanganyi]]''' (soprano), born in [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]. She studied [[music]] at [[Pretoria University]] and had [[operatic]] training at the University of Tshwane. She appeared in performances for [[Nelson Mandela]] and [[Thabo Mbeki]] and starred as Maria (the lead role) in [[West Side Story (musical)|West Side Story]] for Spier Opera Company in [[Cape Town]].<ref name="independent">{{cite news
* '''[[Tsakane Valentine Maswanganyi]]''' (soprano), born in [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]. She studied [[music]] at [[Pretoria University]] and had [[operatic]] training at the University of Tshwane. She appeared in performances for [[Nelson Mandela]] and [[Thabo Mbeki]] and starred as Maria (the lead role) in [[West Side Story (musical)|West Side Story]] for Spier Opera Company in [[Cape Town]].<ref name="independent">{{cite news
|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/tsakane-valentine-maswanganyi-from-soweto-to-the-festival-hall-458828.html
|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/tsakane-valentine-maswanganyi-from-soweto-to-the-festival-hall-458828.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707103740/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/tsakane-valentine-maswanganyi-from-soweto-to-the-festival-hall-458828.html
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=July 7, 2008
|title=Tsakane Valentine Maswanganyi: From Soweto to the Festival Hall - Features, Music - The Independent
|title=Tsakane Valentine Maswanganyi: From Soweto to the Festival Hall - Features, Music - The Independent
|publisher=www.independent.co.uk
|publisher=www.independent.co.uk
Line 40: Line 50:
| date=27 July 2007
| date=27 July 2007
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
* '''[[David Habbin]]''' (tenor), born in [[Fordingbridge]], [[Hampshire]]. He spent several years writing and performing with [[Pop rock]] bands. He then began vocal training with international [[operatic]] [[tenor]], Jon Andrew. He completed his studies of [[acting]] and [[musical theatre]] at Mountview Theatre School in [[North London]]. He was in performances of [[Les Miserables]] and [[West Side Story (musical)|West Side Story]] on tour and in west [[London]] before finishing his [[operatic]] training at the [[Royal Northern College of Music]] in [[Manchester]]. David then performed with different [[UK]] [[opera]] companies, one of which was the [[Glyndebourne Festival Opera]] for their Summer Festival and touring company.<ref>ArtistsDirect, [http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/amici-forever/2806423 Amici Forever Biography]</ref>
* '''[[David Habbin]]''' (tenor), born in [[Fordingbridge]], [[Hampshire]]. He spent several years writing and performing with [[Pop rock]] bands. He then began vocal training with international [[operatic]] [[tenor]], Jon Andrew. He completed his studies of [[acting]] and [[musical theatre]] at Mountview Theatre School in [[North London]]. He was in performances of ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]'' and ''[[West Side Story]]'' on tour and in west [[London]] before finishing his [[operatic]] training at the [[Royal Northern College of Music]] in [[Manchester]]. David then performed with different [[UK]] [[opera]] companies, one of which was the [[Glyndebourne Festival Opera]] for their Summer Festival and touring company.<ref>ArtistsDirect, [http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/amici-forever/2806423 Amici Forever Biography]</ref>
* '''[[Bruno Santino]]''' (baritone), born in [[Belo Horizonte]], [[Brazil]]. Santino originally studyed [[chemical engineering]]. After being invited to sing in six different choirs, he decided to start learning music instead and began at CEFAR Music School. Bruno won scholarships to the [[Guildhall School of Music and Drama]] and completed a Masters degree in Music Performance there, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Vocal Training with distinction.<ref>Classical X, [http://www.classicalx.com/article277.html About Bruno Santino]</ref>
* '''[[Bruno Santino]]''' (baritone), born in [[Belo Horizonte]], [[Brazil]]. Santino originally studied [[chemical engineering]]. After being invited to sing in six different choirs, he decided to start learning music instead and began at CEFAR Music School. Bruno won scholarships to the [[Guildhall School of Music and Drama]] and completed a master's degree in Music Performance there, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma in Vocal Training with distinction.<ref>Classical X, [http://www.classicalx.com/article277.html About Bruno Santino]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
⚫
* ''[[The Opera Band]]'' (2004)
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
⚫
* ''[[Defined (album)|Defined]]'' (2005)
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Title
==Tours==
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Album details
Australia/New Zealand Tour – February 2006
! scope="col" colspan="2"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]<br /><small>([[List of music recording sales certifications|sales thresholds]])</small>
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="AUS Charts">{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia|edition=PDF|page=14}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;|[[RIANZ|NZ]]<br />
|-
⚫
! scope="row"|''[[The Opera Band]]''
|
*Released: 2003
*Label: RCA Victor
*Format: CD
|align="center"| 2 || 1
|
* ARIA: 2xPlatinum<ref name=ARIACert06>{{cite certification|region=Australia|artist=Amici Forever|type=album|certyear=2006|access-date=26 December 2021}}</ref>
|-
⚫
! scope="row"|''[[Defined (album)|Defined]]''
|
*Released: 2005
*Label: RCA Victor
*Format: CD
|align="center"| 4 || 1
|
* ARIA: Gold<ref name=ARIACert05>{{cite certification|region=Australia|artist=Amici Forever|type=album|certyear=2005|access-date=26 December 2021}}</ref>
|}


===Video albums===
UK Tour – May/June 2006
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of video albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Field of Sound – Eastbourne, UK – June 2007
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Album details
! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;"| [[Music recording sales certification|Certifications]]<br /><small>([[List of music recording sales certifications|sales thresholds]])</small>
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;|[[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="AUS Charts"/>
|-
! scope="row"|''In Concert''
|
*Released: 2006
*Label: RCA Victor
*Format: DVD
|align="center"| 15
|
* ARIA: Gold<ref name=ARIACertDVD06>{{cite certification|region=Australia|artist=Amici Forever|type=video|certyear=2006|access-date=26 December 2021}}</ref>
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 58: Line 108:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.amiciforever.com/ Official Website of Amici Forever]
*[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/amici-forever-p627961 Amici Forever] on [[Allmusic]]
* [[Allmusic]], [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Brj9fs37wa3dg/ Amici Forever]
*Oakes, Keily Oakes, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3598718.stm "Olympic effort from Amici Forever"], [[BBC News]], 30 August 2004
*Oakes, Keily Oakes, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3598718.stm "Olympic effort from Amici Forever"], [[BBC News]], 30 August 2004

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Pop opera groups]]
[[Category:Pop opera groups]]
[[Category:2000s music groups]]

Latest revision as of 09:25, 12 December 2024

Amici Forever
OriginUnited Kingdom
GenresOpera
Pop
Operatic Pop
Years active2002–present
LabelsSony/BMG, Arista, RCA
MembersLucy van Gasse
Bruno Santino
David Habbin
Tsakane Valentine
Past membersNick Garrett
Geoff Sewell
Jo Appleby

Amici Forever is a band of four classically trained singers who mix opera with pop music (operatic pop). The band's first album, The Opera Band (2004), reached number one on the Australian classical charts, number two on the United States (US) classical charts and the top 5 in the United Kingdom (UK) classical charts.

History

[edit]

The members of Amici Forever met when rehearsing and performing at opera venues around the world. The band currently features a tenor, a baritone, and two soprano singers. In 2002 tenor Geoff Sewell, originally from New Zealand, alongside renowned classical crossover manager Nadia Raibin came up with the idea of an "opera band" mixing traditional opera with contemporary pop. One of the original five members, Nick Garrett, a bass-baritone, left the group in August 2005 to pursue a solo career, shortly after the release of Defined.[1] Tenor Geoff Sewell left the group in February 2006 after his daughter Sienna was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).[2] This was just after the highly successful tour of Australia and New Zealand. Amici Forever have celebrated two No 1 albums with The Opera Band and Defined in Geoff Sewell's homeland of New Zealand. He was replaced with Brazilian Italian baritone Bruno Santino. On 20 September 2006 it was announced on the Amici Forever website that Jo Appleby would be leaving the group to pursue a career as a solo artist. Lucy van Gasse was introduced as the newest member of Amici in February 2007.

Amici Forever signed with Arista Records and started playing high-profile gigs such as the FA Cup, the UEFA Champions League final in 2003 and the English rugby union final. Nick Patrick, who had produced albums by the Gipsy Kings, Tina Turner and Marvin Gaye produced the band's first album, The Opera Band.

The Opera Band was released on 13 January 2004 and soon reached number 74 in the Billboard 200 album charts and the top 50 of the ARIA Australian album charts. The album has also reached number 2 on the Billboard Classical Crossover and Heatseeker charts. It became number one on the ARIA Australian classical album chart, as well as the top 5 on the UK classical charts. In addition it peaked at #39 in the UK Albums Chart.[3] The album was nominated for "Album of the Year" at the Classical Brit Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall on 26 May 2004 where they also performed the album's signature song 'Prayer in the Night', composed by James Shearman based on Handel's Sarabande, with lyrics by Sam Babenia.

Members

[edit]

As of February 2007, the band consisted of:

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
AUS
[8] 		NZ
The Opera Band
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: RCA Victor
  • Format: CD
 2 1
  • ARIA: 2xPlatinum[9]
Defined
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: RCA Victor
  • Format: CD
 4 1

Video albums

[edit]
List of video albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales thresholds)
AUS
[8]
In Concert
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: RCA Victor
  • Format: DVD
 15

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Spatz, David, J., "One fewer voice but still in tune", The Record, September 30, 2005 (accessed via subscription 19 May 2010)
  2. ^ Sharp, Ron, "How we're fighting our child’s autism", The Independent, 24 February 2009
  3. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 22. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  4. ^ Classical X, Amici Welcomes Lucy van Gasse Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Jones, Alice (27 July 2007). "Tsakane Valentine Maswanganyi: From Soweto to the Festival Hall - Features, Music - The Independent". London: www.independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on July 7, 2008. Retrieved 2010-01-29.
  6. ^ ArtistsDirect, Amici Forever Biography
  7. ^ Classical X, About Bruno Santino[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ a b Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 14.
  9. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  10. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2005 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  11. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2006 DVDs" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
[edit]
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