Posted on 06/14/2007 4:58:35 PM PDT by kellynla
An opera-singing mobile phone salesman has wowed judges on the UK version of hit talent show Australia's Got Talent.
Britain's Got Talent judges, including American Idol judge Simon Cowell, were left dumbfounded as Paul Potts hit the stage to belt out one of the series' most memorable performances made famous by tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
The 36-year-old sang Nessun Dorma and received a standing ovation from the 2,000-strong audience at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre in Wales.
The winning act from the show will perform for the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance and win $A250,000.
Mr Potts, who has battled a burst appendix, tumour on his adrenal gland and shattered collarbone after being knocked off his bike, told a local paper he was so well received because people weren't expecting much from him.
"I don't think they were expecting very much. I'm a bit short and overweight and had a cheap old suit on and the hairdresser had used a number two on my hair instead of a four so it made me look a bit bald," he candidly said.
"But when I sang, I made sure I looked at the judges and I saw Simon Cowell's jaw drop. I knew then I must have done alright."
The Carphone Warehouse manager and keen opera lover will now go on to the next stage of the competition.
Recorded on tape.
So it COULD have been lip-synced? What was recorded...the Orchestra?
Not big on opera of any kind, but this guy has great pipes. Big plus watching Simon being surprised is “extra special”.
I posted on the other thread on this on FR, but watched it again and cried again. Just so refreshing and touching. It is stuff like this that makes life some much more bright and lovely.
Watch the video and you will see the tech push the button to start the music. They can’t afford the time and money to bring in musicians for rehearsal and count on each contestant to provide a full orchestral score so they sing to a CD which they must provide. Think karaoke.
Thanks.....I’ve never watched the show before.
WOW!
The two shows appear to be an apples and oranges situation in terms of their target audiences. Specifically:
AI -- Appeals more to the younger crowd (12-25) and therefore they go for the more 'pop' sound and predictability.
Britain's Got Talent -- Appears to go after a larger, older crowd (judging by the audience on the video) one with a better sense of musical appreciation.
Yes. Remember the green button someone pushed just before he started singing ?
I don’t ever watch American Idol so I don’t know but in the beginning of the you-tube tape you can clearly see someone push a button to start the recording. Must be they can record the background music. I don’t know.
Great performance, but I wish the video would have continued just a bit longer. The reaction of the audience is what made the entire thing.
Short, overweight, cheap suit....according to his own words.
But....anyone remember Britain's Eddie the Eagle, the skier who lost in the Olympics? He soared (kerplunked) into the hearts of the world.....and the loser became a winner!
Leni
Made me cry too. True beauty!
Mario Lanza is one of my favorite Tenors
That was absolutely beautiful...oh my....what a voice!!!!!
God has truly given this man a gift!!!!!!
Thank you for posting this! ;-)
She is a beautiful woman. And her reaction to this piece (she clearly almost swooned) shows that she has good taste.
Yes, I’d hit it.
Here's his edit of the piece, as far as I can tell:
Il principe ignoto
Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma! Tu pure, o Principessa,
nella tua fredda stanza
guardi le stelle
che tremano d'amore e di speranza...
Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me,
il nome mio nessun saprà!
No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò,
quando la luce splenderà!
Ed il mio bacio scioglierà il silenzio
che ti fa mia.
Voci di donne
Il nome suo nessun saprà...
E noi dovrem, ahimè, morir, morir!
Il principe ignoto
Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle!
Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò!
Vincerò! Vincerò!
Ping!
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