AMICI Forever, Ruth Seaton James Auditorium, January 28, 29 at 8 p.m.

AMICI Forever, The World's First Opera Band will be taking Bermuda by storm tonight at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium.

When you think of opera, a group of leather clad young people singing Elvis ballads is not what usually comes to mind, but that is AMICI Forever in a nutshell.

The group bring a fresh approach to opera with a unique blend of pop and classical, dubbed "arias with attitude".

This Armani wearing quintet consist of two tenors, Geoff Sewell and David Habbin, one bass baritone, Nick Garrett, soprano Jo Appleby and mezzo soprano Tsakane Valentine.

Although the concept of Elvis to opera sounds a little silly, these are very serious opera singers. These 'friends forever' came together after years of training and performing in opera productions at many of the world's greatest venues.

"Opera is quite a small world and we kept bumping into each other," said Ms Appleby. AMICI Forever have been called the next big thing since The Three Tenors.

This group of classically trained musicians brings the best of traditional music in an attempt to appeal to a multi-generational audience who are looking to be entertained by the melodic tunes from operatic favourites.

They also include items like an Italian version of the timeless "Unchained Melody (Senza Catene)".

The group was the brainchild of Mr. Sewell who was born in New Zealand. He as inspired to take up singing after a trip to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, home of Elvis Presley. Since then he has performed as an operatic tenor in front of an audience of royalty and celebrities at numerous events and has appeared at the Royal Albert Hall with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr. Sewell and partner Simone Lanham, created the idea of assembling a group that could combine the classical with the immediate appeal of pop music.

They met with Nadia Raibin, whose had a reputation for the successful launch of careers of many other major classical crossover artists. The project grew, until AMICI Forever landed a recording deal.

"There are a great number of people, my family included, who would not go to see opera performed in an opera house," said Mr. Habbin. "But they appreciate the big tunes and the timeless melodies."