And they have the pipes to do itLe Div4s is a group of four extremely talented sopranos who started the band with the goal of bringing operatic vocals back to the forefront of popular music. They debuted in 2008 and have since traveled the world exhibiting the excellence of Italian music.
On their website, they describe how they intend to popularize opera music:
The path starts by reinterpreting well known Opera pieces and it developed on reworking pupular songs, both italian and international, where the bond between classical vocalities, acoustics and pop rythms will become the main feature that will define group’s identity.
The arrangement of “Aria” follows this method. The melody is operatic in style, yet the arrangement remains very modern with guitar, a drum set and light strings/synth. The drum set in particular creates an “rock-anthem” atmosphere, which employs cymbals in a way that would never be used in classical opera.
This is not to say it doesn’t work. On the contrary, it helps to perfectly blend the operatic harmonies with the pop accompaniment.
The most impressive part of “Aria” is the final verse. Their seasoned voices ring in splendid harmony into a bombastic final chord that left us with our jaws on the floor.
These harmonies are where they exhibit their greatest strength and what separates them from the pop genre. In pop-music, boy or girl bands use harmonies sparingly and mostly sing in unison. If Le Div4s have done nothing else to merge classical and pop, they have highlighted the value of utilizing all their voices to create the most interesting music possible.
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