Il Divo proved once again why they remain one of the world’s premier vocal quartets during their performance at the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino and Resort on Oct. 11, delivering an evening of operatic pop that transcended language barriers and left the sold-out crowd spellbound. The multinational group – comprised of tenors David Miller, Urs Bühler and Sébastien Izambard, alongside baritone Steven LaBrie – brought nearly two decades of polished artistry to the intimate Niagara Falls venue, demonstrating that their formula of classical training meets contemporary repertoire has lost none of its potency.
From the opening notes, the quartet’s signature blend of voices filled the theatre with a richness that recording studio albums can only approximate. The harmonies that have made Il Divo international stars were on full display, each member’s distinct vocal quality contributing to a whole that felt both meticulously rehearsed and spontaneously emotional. The group’s ability to synchronize not just pitch but phrasing and emotional delivery created moments of genuine musical transcendence that justified their continued dominance in the classical crossover genre.
What struck audiences most profoundly was the universality of the performance despite the predominantly non-English repertoire. Singing primarily in Spanish and Italian, Il Divo made a compelling case that music truly is a universal language, with the emotional weight of their delivery communicating everything listeners needed to feel. The passion embedded in each phrase, the dynamic control that moved from whisper-soft passages to soaring climaxes, and the theatrical commitment to every lyric meant that comprehension of the actual words became almost secondary to the experience.
The sole English-language offering of the evening, The Beatles’ “Yesterday,” arrived as both a surprise and a masterstroke of programming. Stripped of its original pop arrangement and reimagined through Il Divo’s classical lens, the Lennon-McCartney standard took on new gravitas. The quartet’s treatment honored the song’s melancholic core while adding layers of operatic intensity that would have been unimaginable in its 1965 incarnation, proving their ability to transform familiar material into something entirely their own.
The vocal performances throughout the evening showcased why each member was hand-selected for this project. The tenors navigated stratospheric high notes with apparent ease, their voices ringing with clarity and power, while LaBrie’s baritone provided the essential foundation and darker tonal colors that gave the group’s sound its distinctive depth. Solo moments allowed individual personalities to shine, yet the magic consistently emerged when the four voices locked into their trademark blend.
Beyond pure vocal prowess, Il Divo demonstrated genuine showmanship and audience connection. Between songs, the banter revealed four performers comfortable in their roles as international stars yet still genuinely appreciative of the opportunity to perform. The rapport among the group members translated into visual chemistry on stage, with smiles and knowing glances suggesting these aren’t just colleagues but true musical collaborators who’ve weathered lineup changes and industry shifts together.
The production values matched the caliber of the performances, with lighting design that enhanced the emotional arc of each song without overwhelming the intimate nature of the venue. The OLG Stage proved an ideal setting for Il Divo’s particular brand of elegance, large enough to accommodate their expansive sound yet small enough to maintain the feeling of a special event rather than an arena spectacle. The acoustic properties of the room allowed every nuance of the vocal performances to register, from the softest pianissimo to the most powerful fortissimo.
Simply Three opened the evening with an instrumental performance that set an appropriately high bar for what followed. The string trio – featuring violin, cello and double bass – brought explosive energy and virtuosic technique to their set, reimagining pop hits and classical standards through contemporary arrangements that showcased both individual skill and ensemble precision. Their genre-defying approach, blending elements of classical, rock and hip-hop, had the audience on its feet multiple times. The chemistry among the three musicians was electric, with spontaneous improvisational flourishes and rhythmic interplay that demonstrated why they’ve become sought-after collaborators. As backup artists for Il Divo’s performance, they added subtle yet essential support, but their opening set proved they’re formidable headliners in their own right, delivering a master class in how traditional instruments can speak to modern audiences with freshness and excitement.
All photos by Dan Savoie
Il Divo:
Simply Three:
