Perhaps I’ve been living under a rock and am the last person in the world who has never heard of Paul Potts. He won the 2007 edition of Britain’s Got Talent in the UK and has apparently already appeared on TV in the US on Oprah, Ellen, Today, etc., but I’d never heard him. After seeing a video of him yesterday, I just had to share this for anyone else who, like me, might have been living under a rock!! 
The Audition: (For those of you who are American Idol fans, make special note of Simon Cowell’s expression at the very beginning of the actual audition — it’s priceless!)
The Result:
Where he is now? Well, apparently doing quite well. In addition to performing for the Queen, he was invited to 10 Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister. His first album has sold over 2 million 4 million (Thanks, TJ!) copies and he is touring all over the world. You can click here to see a performance of him singing “Brindisi” from Act I of Verdi’s La Traviata with Natasha Marsh.
Basically, I just thought it was really nice to see an average guy achieve his dream. 
You can read more about Paul on his official website, too.
Paul basically exemplifies what I’ve always felt to be true about opera. Regardless of whether one understands the language or not, opera evokes emotion in people. It’s the nature of how it’s composed and performed and the thing I love about it. The raw emotion in opera is amazing. It’s been far too long since I’ve gone to the opera. I really need to rectify that!
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I thought you might like to know that the sales of his first CD, “One Chance”, has just passed the four million mark.
I was lucky to hear him live in March when he was on tour here in the US, and he was absolutely incredible.
Thanks for the update, TJ!!
I had seen the audition awhile back, but this is the 1st time I have seen that 2nd performance. His voice is simply amazing. The women’s chorus sounded a bit shrill to me, though that could be just from the recording.
A guy named Neal Boyd singing opera won America’s Got Talent during the finale this week. He was amazing as well.
It’s great to see ordinary people succeed.
(You must be living under a rock) ;)
Great video, thanks for sharing it. I love opera, too.
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