B.P.

I would agree that they are likely to have been given multiple arias for the weeks on the show, as I posted earlier. It may not express expectation on her part(though I feel it does) but it's certainly a little presumptuous to be discussing the language of the aria you might be singing in week 3, before you have even completed and survived week 2 IMO. Can anyone on here imagine D doing this, because I can't!

The Swan description was exactly what sprang to my mind, when seconds before he sang live, he was having a mini panic, asking for what I believe was the lyrics to be shown, then instantly re-composing and delivering an excellent performance :) Having seen him in Chicago, GWTW and Guys and Dolls, I wasn't worried about how he would sound, just that he might forget the lyrics. After the vote closed, was the only time I worried a little, but mercifully he was announced through to this week 3rd. I would have hated for it to go down to the last 3 or worse, the final 2 :o

I'm sure D will attck this venture with his usual vigour, and I can't imagine anyone else working harder than him, so I think it's a safe bet PIP :)

Just before he came on, they were talking about men being a man's man, but also being open and sharing their feelings. I can't think of a better example than D, and was very surprised they didn't associate that to him on the show. I was also a little disappointed they weren't swooning for him as has usually been the case, and a little surprised no-one in the crowd seemed to be a specific D fan(no real loud cheers or encouragement specifically for him IMO). That being said, it kept the discussion more formal than has previously been the case, and as has been mentioned, I like the judicious way D skillfully dealt with the question about his girlfriend. Surely, even the Loose Women should know they are, at the very least, engaged, so fiance would have been a much more pleasant and formal characterisation.

BT's version Jyy1Hvj2wQk&feature=related I forgot to post this earlier. Lyn wasn't able to come with me but watched the show live on tv. She thinks Darius is a nice person with a good voice, but is not a fan of his. I was delighted when she said that he had been very good, and she knew this as his performance gave her goosebumps

BT please don't highlight any more of my ignorance than is absolutely necessary :D Do you think D could do it better than this guy then?

I would say the same, but I didn't realise I was familiar with so many arias, though granted they are choosing the most widely known ones so far.

Just thought I would post a youtube vid of hopefully D's next song :) It's wonderful to have so many informed, intelligent people on this forum( god I wish I were one), but if there are any more bozo's like me, who didn't know what The Toreador sounded like just from the title without hearing it, here it is, with helpful basic English translation too :) OqEn57tVA1s If this is indeed his next performance, I feel it's a song D could absolutely nail, so I'll keep my fingers crossed :yahoo:

Finally managed to remeber for once :) Nice to see a more natural D than on some occasions, though would have preferred him not to repeat things he's said elsewhere previously. I suppose some things are inevitably repeated though, as the questions asked will relate to them on the diff shows. Shame he wasn't on a little longer, but enjoyed it anyway. Interesting that he has been writing material for others, including the winner of American Idol but couldn't he have fed this type of info through Rachel or on one of his sites, so we could have known? Maybe he wasn't able to say :unsure: I loved his answer to what his job was now in the states, even though him enjoying himself has meant we haven't seen him in 2009.

I MUST try and catch this. I'm not really a fan of the show but it is funny on occasions. Hasn't D been on this show previously a few years back? Not sure if I am getting confused or not. Either way, it will be lovely to see him on another tv show. Isn't it great, after such a lull to have all this wonderful activity :) Long may it continue

I would contribute for that and also for either a gag or some therapy to stop him trying to impersonate an evangelist :rolleyes: Sorry I've been so long. Lyn's car broke down on the way home from work and I had to go help. I waited outside on Friday night until 11.45pm but no sign of D So no pics from then just the day before and only took 4 then. I had planned to stay until midnight, but another fan waiting for Kym had got info that there was a bar open for them until 1am, so it would be unlikely to catch them anyway. Plus the fact that I was the only person waiting for D which always feels a little uncomfortable for me. So pics, not great but as Meg says, it has been somewhat of a barren spell. I'm hoping this will change :naughty: Taken with my old and battered, but much loved, Olympus C-765 compact camera :) http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/PaulHardy/Buzzjack/001a.jpg http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/PaulHardy/Buzzjack/003a.jpg http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/PaulHardy/Buzzjack/004a.jpg http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b252/PaulHardy/Buzzjack/005a.jpg Regarding the songs for the coming weeks, I feel they must have already been learning a number of songs(just the basics) which when they win through to next weeks show, they will then re-visit during the week to perfect. This is just my opinion, but I feel it's unlikely that they would be given songs fresh with only 1 week to prepare. Sitting behind us were 2 of the vocal coaches for the show. They seemed quite unpleasant people and were decidedly unimpressed by the standard of the contestants opera voices. I asked who had made the choices for the arias, but they didn't actually know. I have to say, I was decidedly unimpressed with them, and felt they were arrogant and very pretentious. I also felt they were suffering with jealousy, probably never having acheived a fraction of the fame or adulation of each contestant involved. I would dearly love to go along again, but with money, rota and will D still be in issues, I think it's unlikely I will be able to do it :( It was great to see people again though so will have to see what happens :)

Darius was given the wrong song, but this might actually have done him a favour. Every other male aria on the show, D would have ABSOLUTELY nailed, whereas his song was lowered considerably from the original key, in order that D would be able to achieve the high notes(which he did). If he had made it look too easy, he would have fallen victim to the usual ego/cocky/arrogant remarks, which we all know are very far from the truth. I thought all the performers were better in the live show. Jimmy must have been holding back in the Thursday event as he was much improved for me. Darius did a good job, and was certainly top 2 for me, with possibly Marcella slightly outperforming him. I think in the weeks to come, he'll get arias more suited to his bass baritone, and he'll go on to do well, though as mentioned, fanbases will have more to do with who wins than how they sound. Meatloaf thought this was either American Idol, or a pantomime, and seemed to be trying to big up his part. As for Lawrence, all I can say is, why the bloody hell is he there? I don't feel he contributed to the show much in any way, apart from both of them disgustingly saving Alex who didn't give half the vocal performance that Vanessa(was it?) gave. That decision REALLY sucked and devalued the judges opinions considerably to me. Almost as if they had been told who to vote for so as to make the show better(in someone's opinion). Shame on them either way, as there really was no comparison between the performances. Although Danny is likely to win, he was poor imo, and the only person worse(which is arguable) was Alex who left the show. I'm glad he got the boot because he was a bit of a joke and never bothered to show up to perform at the dress rehearsal, preferring to go to something with his band. Not good enough for me, as Meg has said, if you commit to do something then do it, especially when so close to the very start! I snapped 4 pics, but they aren't much good. My best one looks almost identicle to the one Meg has featured, so I think we must have shot at about the same time. I'm only just back, the house is freezing and I have to make some tea. After this I'll upload the pics and see if they're worth a posting, but I got more of the back of Sue's head than of D's face in them. Must say a HUUUUUUUGGGGGGEEEEEE!!!!!!! thank you to Jane :D for the ticket she was able to give me. We had good seats and managed to see most of the action

I agree to a certain extent BT, but there's also the possibility that he could hold back and be eliminated first :o I think he needs to produce an excellent performance, but at the same time show humility, so those that don't perform as well as him don't end up getting the sympathy votes. Let's hope there's a fair chance given to all. I can handle D not winning as long as as he gets a fair chance :)

LOL BT

Bramley, I have a spare ticket for the Thursday show which you'd be very welcome to :) Got to be worth the trip even if it's just to see me :D

Booked hotel a few days back and just booked train tickets for Mum, Dad and I. I might take a large suitcase with me, so when I go busking because I am totally skint, it will be large enough to hold all the pound coins I've spent so far on this trip. Come to think of it there's not a chance, as it only holds 25kg of clothes, so nowhere near enough space for all them pound coins that would be required, oh well! :rolleyes: Bramley, did you get your ticket? So who is going to be there Thursday night, are we meeting up outside and does Darius know we are going? It would be a real shame if we didn't get a chance to chat and snap a few piccies with him :o

There are some nice pics there, but for me, there are some pretty duff ones too! The first 3 pics have awful shadows across D's face, with the 1st one being way too bright on one side IMO. If this shadow effect is intentional, I can't really think of a reason for having it there, as I don't feel it benefits the shot at all. Next is shot number 7, what sort of pose is that supposed to be? It looks awkward to my eye and I'm not sure what it's trying to portray??? I am assuming these shots are taken by a professional photographer, as they seem to be for promotional usage, and this is why I am passing a critical eye over them. If someone of my level or below had taken them, they would be more than acceptable. I suppose these are just my thoughts, maybe I am completely wrong, what do you guys think?

Wow! Was anyone else from the show featured in this mag Sooz? For once Darius seems to be a focal point(given the interview and the large photo) especially with the headline there in green. So many times I feel(and I accept that I may be biased) D is missed out or even faces negative attention compared to others, this is very pleasing to see :) Thanks for posting it Sooz

Ticket via email to print off Bramley. What day do you want to go?

I know what you mean Meg, but I feel with D's wonderful voice, many of the neutrals are likely to support him over the others, if he performs anywhere near his potential, fingers crossed anyway :) It's just starting to hit me that I am going down for another D gathering and I feel :yahoo: Has anyone got a spare ticket(or two) for the Friday show that they could let me have please? I have a ticket for Thursday(one spare if anyone would like to trade) and would really like to attend Thursday and Friday if at all possible, as I am staying in London both nights now anyway. I know it's a longshot as Friday is likely to be very popular, but thought I would ask just in case. Paul :)

In some respects, you can understand Rebecca Evans' complaints, as a time served and still coached operatic performer, as it's unlikely that anyone from the show will go on to become an opera star, though some have more chance than others ;) On the other hand, it is bringing opera to the masses in a way previously not done, so surely it can only generate more interest in her genre of music. If as stated, it does lead many more people to sign up to apply to do opera at music colleges, it may well lead to many who fail to become an operatic star. By the same token though, it might just reveal some true opera stars, who perhaps would have followed other areas without this as a gentle encouragement. I guess we will have to wait and see.

LOL you two :D I hope I manage to get tickets and I hope they tell me soon. I need to organise train tickets and hotel rooms for me and my parents if and when I do get the tickets.

Just thought I would add Darius' Twitter page link DariusOfficial

Completely forgot about this, did anyone see it?

I am a XxBPxX on twitter and following Darius. Now if he could just give us a little tweet or two that would be top :banana: