One of the most memorable auditions for Season 13 of America’s Got Talent was performed by classical crossover singer Daniel Emmet. The 25-year-old singer originally from Rochester, New York dared to sing one of his original songs. Judge Simon Cowell stopped Daniel mid-way and asked if he had a second song. Daniel said no. Simon wanted to give Daniel another chance so he told him to learn one of Simon’s favorite songs and come back in 60 minutes. Daniel, who never heard the song before, took the challenge with aplomb. One hour later, Daniel came back on stage and nail it. The song is “Passera” (translated: “It will pass”). Simon said a waiter had given him the song which he later produced.
“Passera” was originally performed by the multi-national classical crossover vocal group Il Divo (translated Divine Performer) which Simon Cowell formed in 2003 in the UK. The four singers are Swiss man Urs Bühler, Spaniard Carlos Marín, American David Miller, and Frenchman Sébastien Izambard. In 2006, Il Divo held the Guinness World Record as “the most commercially successful, classical-crossover group in international music history.” They are about to release their eight studio album, Timeless, in August. America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8pm on NBC.
