Popstar to Operastar - The Final
Monday, 22 February 2010 10:43
How wonderful that at last Darius Campbell ne Danish has at last moved away from being a talent show bridesmaid to become a Popstar to Operastar bride.
It was all very emotional for him and his very elegantly be-suited family. To find that ten years on in the same studio overnight success was his. There is no doubt that he delivered some of the performances of the evening. He is extremely comfortable as Figaro and has found a voice that manages to match his stature as well as flowing with exactly the right sort of emotion.
We all have to feel terribly sorry for Bernie though. She’s a wonderful singer, a very funny, warm modest person and one of the most popular popstars from the entire experience. What was particularly touching was that all the pop stars, apart from Jimmy, made it back for the final and the class of 2010 reunion. Even first round casualty Alex James - who has apparently been glued to his TV set ever since his departure - is threatening to keep up his opera singing. Is the world ready for more Jamesian renditions of Rossini in the style of the Back Street Kids?
We were all very proud of the series. It has an enormous impact on Friday nights, a glamourous beacon to a nation stuck at home through the bitter dark days of January and early February. Yet again it was the most watched programme last night and the voting was particularly intense. There was very little to separate the count between Darius and Bernie which shows just how passionate and engaged our audience has become in the contest and in opera .
I have to admit to having spent most of last night after the programme running down dark corridors or dodging in to unused broom cupboards to escape my mighty mate Meat who was very emotional about the idea of our impending separation.
I was threatening to send him a locket with a picture of me in it for him to wear on stage as his promotional tour for his new album kicks of this week in Norway.
In fact on the judging panel I was always the odd one out as Meat has a new album out as has Rolando and indeed Katherine. I on the other hand have only got a paint range. But some of the colours are definitely operatic!
So as the red flush curtains sweep across the stage trailing heavy gold fringe in the theatrical dust, the nation waves goodbye to Popstar to Operastar 2010 and with good wishes launches Darius in his new career as opera totty.
I know we’d all love to do it again and I very much hope that you lot would like to see us back again.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
Classic FM Presenter and Popstar to Operastar Judge
