Steven Labrie joins following Carlos Marin’s passing
Multi-platinum classical crossover group Il Divo will embark on their US A New Day Holiday Tour, launching November 29th at Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts in Newport News, Virginia. The tour, which continues through December 23rd in Naples, Florida, will feature the group performing holiday classics that include “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and more, in addition to songs from their vast catalog.
Singing in English, Spanish and Italian, Il Divo, with members Urs Bühler of Switzerland, Sébastian Izambard of France and David Miller, also announce a new addition to their group, Mexican American baritone Steven LaBrie. After the untimely passing of original member Carlos Marin in 2021 from COVID-19, Labrie had been a featured guest on their Greatest Hits Tour from 2022 to present, and now has become the group’s fourth member.
“We’re very excited to come back to the U.S. on our upcoming holiday tour and are equally excited to announce Steven Labrie joining our group,” the group shares. “Il Divo is this beautiful tapestry of different colors, so finding a replacement for Carlos seemed like an impossible task. Steven was up to the challenge, though. He sent us a recording, and we were blown away. It’s a bit serendipitous. He was literally the exact same age we were when we started this 20 years ago. On opening night of any tour, we always had a ritual where we would shake hands and say, ‘Good luck. Here we go.’ During the first night of Greatest Hits Tour we started shaking hands out of habit, and Carlos wasn’t there. We finally let ourselves feel the emotion of loss. However, the tour was incredible. We thought about the experience we were having with audiences and this communion of feeling, and of being human. We realized it could be a real turning point. It was a shot in the arm, and it felt like there was more to be discovered for Il Divo.”
Il Divo is the most commercially successful classical crossover group in international music history since they first banded together in 2004. With more than 30 million albums sold, 160 Gold and Platinum albums in 33 countries, to their credit, Il Divo was the first Classical Crossover artist to have an album debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Beyond enrapturing millions of fans in packed arenas and stadiums, their audience has consisted of historical figures and thought leaders and their presence has underscored momentous events, including the Summer Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Diamond Jubilee at Windsor and the Commander-in-Chief’s Ball, to name a few. With songs recorded in Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Latin, English and Japanese, their catalog has impressively yielded global sales of 30 million-plus units with 50 No. 1 hits and 160 Gold and Platinum records throughout 35 countries. Il Divo’s collective of distinct voices and dynamic personalities have left an indelible imprint on music and culture.
Il Divo A New Day Holiday Tour Dates:
Nov 29 – Newport News, VA @ Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 1 – Lowell, MA @ Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Dec 2 – Bethlehem, PA @ The Wind Creek Event Center
Dec 3 – Westbury, NY @ NYCB Theatre at Westbury
Dec 5 – Englewood, NJ @ Bergen Performing Arts Center
Dec 6 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center
Dec 8 – Mashantucket, CT @ Foxwoods Resort Casino
Dec 9 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Ovation Hall
Dec 10 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Heinz Hall
Dec 12 – Atlanta, GA @ The Fox Theatre
Dec 13 – Montgomery, AL @ Montgomery Performing Arts Center
Dec 15 – Austin, TX @ Bass Concert Hall
Dec 16 – San Antonio, TX @ Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Dec 18 – Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre
Dec 19 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Mahaffey Theater
Dec 20 – Sarasota, FL @ Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Dec 22 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Dec 23 – Naples, FL @ Artis-Naples
