From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Amici Forever is a band of five classically trained singers who mix opera with pop music (operatic pop). The band's first album, The Opera Band (2004), has reached number one on the Australian classical charts, number 2 on the U.S. classical charts and the top 5 in the UK classical charts.

Contents 1 History 2 Band members 3 Discography 4 External links

The members of Amici Forever met when rehearsing and performing at opera venues around the world. Tenor Geoff Sewell, originally from New Zealand, came up with the idea of an "opera band" mixing traditional opera with contemporary pop. The band currently features two tenors and two soprano singers. Fifth member 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, no pun intended. Tenor Geoff Sewell left the group in February 2006 after his daughter Sienna was diagnosed with autism. Geoff's farewell message:

"Just recently my wife Simone and I received the painful news that our two year old daughter Sienna has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Children with this condition benefit from stability and routine in daily life in order to thrive. Much effort is required from their loved ones to ensure their future is bright and their potential realised. Therefore our family coping with ‘Daddy’s’ frequent absences and regular globetrotting, according to a fluctuating and dictated schedule, is not cool. It is with sadness that I’ve made the difficult decision to leave Amici so I can spend more time at home. This February tour of my homeland, New Zealand, and Australia is my ‘farewell’. To all my family, friends and our fans throughout the world I can’t thank you enough for all your love and support over the past amazing four years. Thanks to SonyBMG worldwide for their commitment and hard work. Enjoying success at ‘home’ has been a dream come true. To Jo, David and Tsakane – you are amazing people and it’s been an absolute blast sharing the highs and the lows with you. Keep living the dream! Making a difference in people’s lives is where the juice is and I have felt so privileged during my Amici years. Now I ask that you please help Simone and I in our quest to raise the profile of Autism and find answers to help families throughout the world. Yes - “Life is truly a daring adventure or nothing”. Now it’s time for a new adventure…"

-Geoff

He was replaced with Brazilian Italian Baritone Bruno Santino.

Aimiciforever.com announced on September 20th 2006 that Jo Appleby would be leaving the group to pursue a creer as a Solo Artist.

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. It was released on January 13, 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 and 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 Brits held at the Royal Albert Hall on May 26, 2004 and will be performing at the Awards. Their newest album, released in 2005, is called Defined, and has reached the top 5 of the Australian album charts.

As of February 2007, the band consists of:

• Luncy Van Gasse (England) (Soprano)
• Tsakane Valentine (South Africa) (Soprano)
• David Habbin (England) (Tenor)
• Bruno Santino (Brazil) (Baritone)

Geoff Sewell left the Band after the highly successful tour of Australia and New Zealand in February 2006.

Amici forever have celebrated two No 1 albums with The Opera Band and Defined in Geoff Sewell's homeland of New Zealand.

• The Opera Band (2004)
• Defined (2005)

• The Amici Forever section at ClassicalX
• Amici Forever official website

• All Music Guide Amici Forever article