Il Volo Signed to Interscope Records

Two years ago, almost to the day, Art2u first wrote about these three young Italian tenors: Piereo Barone, 17, Ignazio Boschetto, 16, and Gianluca Ginoble, 16. Their debut cd was release in Italy in November 2010, and it went platinum.

Released in the United States on May 17, 2011, on the Interscope label (a division of Geffen Records), Il Volo (the Flight) soared to #10 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart.

Other entertainers under contract to Interscope include Lady Gaga, 50 cent, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and the Black Eyed Peas.

Andrea Bocelli & Gianluca Ginoble (June 20, 2009)
The New Italian Trio, Leaving Us a Song (June 19, 2009)
See Also: Il Volo blog

National Jukebox at the Library of Congress

Rhapsody in Blue

The Library of Congress presents the National Jukebox, which makes historical sound recordings available to the public free of charge. At launch, the collection includes over 10,000 recordings made from 1901 through 1925 by the Victor Talking Machine Company. Sony Music Entertainment now owns the record labels featured in the National Jukebox, and has granted the Library of Congress license to stream the recordings.

You can search the collection or browse by category, genre, target audience, performer, composer, language and more.

Here’s a treat for your ears. George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, arranged by Ferde Grofé, performed by the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, with none other than George Gershwin on piano! The recording was made in New York, New York, on June 10, 1924.

‘The Kennedys’ Miniseries: “Riveting, accurate historical drama”- NYPOST.com

‘The Kennedys’ is one of the most riveting, accurate historical dramas ever on TV – NYPOST.com.

BBC News – Andrea Bocelli concerts to mark 9/11 anniversary

BBC News – Andrea Bocelli concerts to mark 9/11 anniversary.

A Catchy Chanukah Song by Senator Orrin Hatch

The senior senator from Utah, Orrin Hatch, has written a Chanukah song!

Senator Hatch has written many other songs, including “Heal Our Land,” which was performed at the second inauguration of President George W. Bush.

First Ever Jerusalem Hanukkah Flash Mob

Hanukkah Hey Ya! by Smooth-E (aka Eric Schwartz) went flash mob on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem on November 20, 2009, organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh. Catch the video:

“Omaggio a Roma” Featuring Andrea Bocelli

“Omaggio a Roma” is Maestro Franco Zeffirelli’s film tribute to Rome, the Eternal City. This video clip features stunning cinematography, and an inspired performance by Andrea Bocelli.

Zeffirelli and Bocelli Pay Tribute to Rome

Franco Zeffirelli’s Omaggio a Roma (Tribute to Rome) premieres this week at the 4th Rome International Film Festival.

In the 20-minute film, Monica Bellucci performs the role of Tosca and Andrea Bocelli is featured in the role of Mario Cavaradossi.

October 16, 2009: Franco Zeffirelli and Andrea Bocelli at press conference for Omaggio a Roma

American movies in the film festival lineup include the Coen brothers’ A Serious Man, Nora Ephron’s Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep as Julia Child, and James Ivory’s The City of Your Final Destination.

Mark Vincent Has It

Mark Vincent, born in Caringbah, New South Wales, Australia, was just 15 when he won first place in Australia’s Got Talent on April 22, 2009. Inspired by his late grandfather to study opera, Mark also admires the great opera tenors Andrea Bocelli and Luciano Pavarotti.

For his first performance on the talent show, Mark performed Giacomo Puccini’s incomparable classic Nessun Dorma:

Something Terrible is Happening

This Public Service Announcment is brought to you by CatholicVoteAction.org:
Big Government Health Care PSA

Note to Will Farrell: We’re just not that into you.

See Also:
Another Spoof on the MoveOn/Will Ferrell Health Care Vid [Big Hollywood; October 2, 2009]