Preston

from itv websiteBernie Nolan - Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve (Juliet’s Waltz) – from the opera ‘Romeo and Juliet’ composed by Charles Gounod. Kym Marsh - Pie Jesu by Andrew Lloyd Webber Marcella Detroit – Mein Herr Marquis (The Laughing Song) – from the operetta ‘Die Fledermaus’ composed by Strauss. Darius Campbell – Fin Ch’han Dal Vino (Champagne Aria) – from the opera ‘Don Giovanni’ composed by

Ditto for me on the voting. Husband is usually a bit dozy at that time although he always watches it but luckily the phone is not in his view.

Rhydian would have been far too qualified for PSTOS - Quote from wikipedia = Birmingham Conservatoire After taking a gap year, when he taught in a small school in South Africa, Rhydian won a bursary to Birmingham City University's (then known as University of Central England) Conservatoire to study music and become a classically trained singer.[3] Director of Theatre Studies Michael Barry commented that "Rhydian was a star pupil at the Conservatoire from the very beginning."[4] Rhydian had lessons first with Adrian Clarke and then with Christine Cairns before graduating with first class honours in 2007. He was the first singer from outside London to win the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary for Young Singers, beating 13 other second-year vocal students from music colleges around the UK. A panel of judges composed of internationally renowned singers remarked on his "formidable talent" and his "immediate connection with the audience". He also won the Reginald Vincent Lieder Prize and the Mario Lanza Educational Award in 2007.[5] In his second year he was also auditioned, on Barry's recommendation, by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra's (CBSO) Musical Director Sakari Oramo. He was cast in the role of Morales in the CBSO's semi-staged performance of Carmen. Other successes include winning the Cecil Drew Oratorio Prize and securing leading roles in virtually all of the Conservatoire's major classical operas and musicals during his time as a student.[6] This included playing Charley in Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim (June 2004, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham), and the lead role of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in the musical by Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn (June 2006, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham – directed by Michael Barry, and conducted by Ben Kennedy).[7] His stage presence and charisma were often highlighted in reviews. His performance as Edward Kelley in Doctor Dee was noted by the Birmingham Post as charismatic, threatening and attractive. As Morales in Carmen he was noted for conveying genuine depth of masculine charisma. In Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri his commanding stage presence was again highlighted.[8] Knowing that he would never get a prominent operatic role early in his career, he decided to try alternatives. HOWEVER he would have been a good guest performer on Posto instead of meatloaf.

I think if D was to wear his shirt open like that performance on utube it could bring in a few votes!!

Leon won can t remember his second name and promptly disappeared.Rhydian first album went platinum and he appears to be very busy, just returned from africa helping to build a school and appears to have lots of concerts on including the albert hall.His second album is very classical and not done as well BUT this appearas to be lack of promotion, ring some bells.

She did with Rhydian and he is very powerful. She also didnt interact with him like the girl soprano did with mika last week. she did it like she was doing a solo performance for herself. I felt that was what caused rhydian not to win.

Please not with Katherine, she trys to drown everyone out.

Im not worried about his performance just that the public wont connect because its not a great melody.

Thanks megham, nice article.

He says on twitter he has butterflies before fridays performnce.

Perhaps hes been given the medias angle beforehand and believes it.

Ive just listened to all the performances of this aria on utube and all I can say is dear god - Half of them are to me having difficulty in keeping up and I do wonder about the orchestra on the show itself..It hasnt got what I call money notes .

Its difficult to be positive when the consensus of opinion on DS also gives the champagne aria the thumbs down.

Yes ive just seen that raspberry bit and it was pretty nasty. My feeling is that he is the big player in this programme or he thinks he is and Darius being so tall makes him feel inferior. He praised all the others to the hilt chucka chucka here and there etc. Him and katherine have already made it and perhaps they dont want someone new in their arena.On seeing it again he really looked so pleased at the flys comment he was banging his table etc.

No Ive been keeping an eye open. I am watching popstar to operastar at the moment on ITV2 simply to note what the judges are saying and it is definitely truethat they are overboard on the other contestants. This champagne aria that D is doing will need a lot of breathing and they will watch for that.

Im surprised he did an interview to be quite honest let alone a picture. A mistake by D or his agent?

I would be quite happy with classical crossover but I do like him interpreting parts, I would even enjoy him doing opera if it was arias known to me like last weeks, cant get it out of my head, a dvd of him doing crossover/classical/opera mix would be even better but I just have that feeling yet again that someone is going to put the block in.

I have had two phone calls from friends who hadnt watched the proramme but caught the repeat on tuesday, they absolutely raved about Darius and yet had not taken much notice of what I said before. One is very much into good music and she said, you wont like this, he is wasted on pop music, his voice is so good. She thought he would be better doing crossover and she said what a shame the last six years had been for him in not showing his bass voice and why hadnt he done this before. She couldnt understand why not and I said it was probably the record company amongst other things.. She was bowled over by his performance. I do agree with what she says because I feel the last at least 6 years have been in the wilderness to some degree when you have a voice like that. although I know he has been doing MT but even that didnt show the public what he was capable of.I feel a bit sad at what might have been sooner recognised. My thoughts on the champagne song are that if the well known bass singers on you tube are getting stick for it what are the judges going to say on friday re D.and I do agree with what everyone is saying re this.

I also think hes been stitched up. It is too wordy wont show off his voice I feel and he will have to keep up well with the orchestra to pull it off. Even so it is not well known to the general public. I dont like it for the reason Baytree says, there is no variation. I can imagine the others being given an easier ride.Re the darius interpretation giving it his sparkle, will he be allowed to this week.

That other report said classical rather than opera, perhaps he will have a go at both.

Im like PIP cant get enough of him singing this, his voice in this is sublime at least to me.Keep listening to it.

It was hardly a performance I agree but I do love the base voice. To follow up that there are a couple of complimentary pieces from an unlikely source!! not realising he had suh a great bass voice and now a fan. I think he needs to keep the bass going for the future somehow.

Thanks for the pictures. Do you know I watched fly with me and I have to admit I missed the power of his voice singing on popstar to operastar and him interpreting a part rather than just standing there.

quote baytree Isn't capitalising on opportunities and seeking out new ones what his agent and management team are supposed to guide him on? Surely if he is to release an album he will need to be in the public eye not disappear again - strike whilst the hammer is hot. But as meg says will he listen. -

I think he was supposed to sing during the jazz set but didnt get there in time.I noticed ruth langsford said to eamon I always like to be on time. So perhaps they had to improvise.He sang well though.