US quartet to steal Vietnamese hearts

US operatic pop vocal group Il Divo spoke to Tuoi Tre about their trip to Vietnam and their musical plans after arriving in Ho Chi Minh City Thursday. The quartet will perform at the finale of the Miss Vietnam World 2010 beauty pageant in Nha Trang on Saturday.

Helllo Il Divo. Were you surprised when you were invited to perform at the finale of the 2010 Miss World Vietnamese beauty pageant in Vietnam?

David: We were informed by our manager around one month ago and we felt interesting rather than surprised because we were once invited to perform at the finale of the 2004 Miss World pageant in China. It’s a pity we did not have a chance to know your beauty pageant in advance.

The invitation is a great opportunity for us to get to know the pageant as well as to visit and perform in your beautiful country. When we four work together, we want to share the music around the world. And this trip is not an exception. We are really happy to see how much love that Vietnamese fans have given to us.

Does your group have more difficulties than others as four members come from different countries?

Urs: Not many difficulties we have because we share a common love for music. Sometimes the differences in our cultures and personalities make it more interesting and connect us much more.

You know, sometimes a similarity can make it more boring when it comes to work (smile).

David: We have been together for six years. Most of the time we work together: choosing the songs, rehearsing, recording, filming and touring around the world. Difficulty? If there is, I think it is to take the time to rest and come back home after a hard time of working.

What is the tip to maintain a solid and stable group in six years?

Sebastien: Mutual respect.

You just mentioned taking a rest. It seemed you took a rather long rest after the last album, The promise, in 2008?

Carlos: It’s true we had a couple of days for rest before coming to Vietnam (smile). However, we are having around-the-world tours at the moment. Those short days just helped us relaxed a little bit before our new album project.

Urs: I understand you are waiting for our new album. We heard a lot of complaints about the frequentness of the group’s touring and album releasing (smile). I can say we have been working non-stop for the last three to four years. We ourselves are ordinary people. But we want to give ‘extraordinary’ things for those who love us. So we have to save our energy for creation.

Could Il Divo fans enjoy those creations this year?

Carlos: I’m afraid we cannot make it. We will record our new album with both familiar and brand new songs in September. It is expected the album will be released on Mother’s Day next year. Hope you will be pleased.

What about your performance at the finale of the Miss Vietnam World 2010? Anything special for Vietnamese audiences?

David: Surely there will be. But allow us to keep it secret. See you later at the finale. And good luck to all the contestants.

Formed in 2004 after a global search, the multinational group consists of American tenor David Miller, Spanish baritone Carlos Marín, Swiss tenor Urs Bühler, and French pop singer Sébastien Izambard.

Il Divo, which performs in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and Latin, released its debut album, also titled “Il Divo,” in 2004. It hit number one in the charts in 13 countries and ranked in the top five in 25 others.

The group collaborated with American R&B singer Toni Braxton to perform the 2006 FIFA World Cup official song, "The Time of Our Lives."

Its sixth album, “The Promise,” released in 2008, hit the No.1 spot in UK.