Amici Forever

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Amici Forever


Img_capt = Lucy, Bruno, David & Tsakane
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = United Kingdom
Genre = Opera
Pop
Operatic Pop
Years_active = 2002-Present
Label = Sony/BMG
Arista
RCA
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.AmiciForever.com/
Current_members = Lucy van Gasse
Bruno Santino
David Habbin
Tsakane Valentine
Past_members = Nick 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

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. 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, a bass-baritone, left the group in August 2005, shortly after the release of "Defined". Amici's website did not elaborate but seemed to indicate the parting was amicable.

Tenor Geoff Sewell left the group in February 2006 after his daughter Sienna was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 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. [cite web| url=http://www.amiciforever.com/news/2006news.aspx| title=2006 News| work=Official Community of Amici Forever | accessdate=2008-05-14] 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. On 02 February 2007 Lucy van Gasse was introduced as the newest member of Amici. [cite web| url=http://www.amiciforever.com/news/| title=2007 News| work=Official Community of Amici Forever | accessdate=2008-05-14]

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, 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. 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.

Their latest album, released in 2005, is called "Defined", and has reached the top 5 of the Australian album charts.

The Band

As of February 2007, the band consists of:

* Lucy van Gasse (England) (Soprano)Lucy was born in Nailsea, a little town just outside Bristol. She has a Bachelor of Music from Cardiff University accompanied by the Sir Geraint's Award for outstanding performance, and a Post Graduate Diploma from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She also has under her belt, the Dolan Evans Memorial Award, the Mabel Linwood Christopher Award, and the BBC National Chorus of Wales Scholarship. [cite web| url= http://www.amiciforever.com/about/lucy.aspx| title=Lucy van Gasse| work=Official Community of Amici Forever | accessdate=2008-05-14]

* Tsakane Valentine (South Africa) (Soprano)Tsakane was 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 for Spier Opera Company in Cape Town. [cite web| url=http://www.amiciforever.com/about/tsakane.aspx| title=Tsakane Valentine| work=Official Community of Amici Forever | accessdate=2008-05-14]

* David Habbin (England) (Tenor)David was 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 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. [cite web| url=http://www.amiciforever.com/about/david.aspx| title=David Habbin| work=Official Community of Amici Forever | accessdate=2008-05-14]

* Bruno Santino (Brazil) (Baritone)Bruno was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Bruno originally started down the wrong career path studying 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. He completed a Masters degree in Music Performance there, and he concluded with a Post Graduate Diploma in Vocal Training with distinction. [cite web| url=http://www.amiciforever.com/about/bruno.aspx| title=Bruno Santino| work=Official Community of Amici Forever | accessdate=2008-05-14]

Discography

* "The Opera Band" (2004)
* "Defined" (2005)

Tours

Australia/New Zealand Tour – February 2006
UK Tour – May/June 2006
Field of Sound – Eastbourne, UK – June 2007

References

reflist|2

External links

* [http://www.amiciforever.com/ Official Website of Amici Forever]
* [http://www.myspace.com/amiciforever Amici Forever MySpace]
* The [http://www.classicalx.com/Amici_Forever.html Amici Forever] section at [http://www.classicalx.com ClassicalX]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Brj9fs37wa3dg/ All Music Guide - Amici Forever article]