Hi everybody

I posted a short time ago regarding newspaper articles giving the impression that Amici have disbanded.  I was grateful to receive a lot of reassurances that this was not the case, and we all agreed that this was due to careless journalism.

I'm back again, because I have found yet another article (http://www.classicalx.com/article1796.html) on ClassicalX which appears to leave no doubt.

My concern is that, if this is indeed untrue (and we all hope this is the case) such publicity is not going to do the guys any favours, and needs to be addressed.  In the lack of any other official updates - even diary entries - it is very difficult to know what to think.  While all the publicity Geoff is receiving is fantastic, and well deserved, I am sure nobody (especially Geoff) would want this to weaken the foundations of Amici by being associated with incorrect information about the band.

Love

Annie
 

Hi Annie, Thank you for posting your concerns, unfortunately I have been unable to get the link on your post to work for me so I have not been able to read the article.

However, Amici is addressing the comments referred to in recent articles and a Statement is being compiled to clear up this confusion.   We hope to be able to post this very soon.

Thank you all for your patience.

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Thanks Pat for such a prompt reply - it is good to know that this is hopefully on the way to being resolved.

I have copied and pasted the article below.  It's currently headlines at ClassicalX.com

Best wishes

Annie

 

Sewell's a believer

A couple of years ago, singer Geoff Sewell had it all. The "popera" band he and his wife created, Amici Forever, was riding high, having sold more than two million albums. He had sung to royalty, the rich and famous and audiences of millions at England's FA Cup final and a Bledisloe Cup rugby match. Then in 2006, at the height of it all, he walked away. His daughter, Sienna, then two, had been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and he was told his globetrotting lifestyle would not be conducive to her recovery. Walking away was the easiest decision the Kiwi-born, London-based tenor had made. "If something happens to your kids, fame and fortune don't mean jack," he says on the phone from Auckland before a promotional trip to Australia this week. "Family is most important. I did what any father would have done." Sewell was immediately transported from a world of limos and hotels to medical journals and hospitals as he and wife Simone tried to find the best care for their daughter. The initial prognosis was bleak, with doctors telling them their daughter would never lead a normal life and would be better off institutionalised. They refused to accept that and, after research, found that treatments of a gluten-free diet, vitamin supplements and a detoxification program worked wonders for Sienna. Sewell says their daughter is much improved -- speaking and learning with the help of a one-on-one teacher aide in the classroom. The life-shaking experience led Simone to write an inspirational song about their daughter and Sewell recorded it as the centrepiece to his new album, Believe. "When we were putting together the songs for this album the main thing we wanted to get across was this hope for families," Sewell says. "Every parent wants their kids to do amazingly, so Simone said why don't we write a song and call it Sienna's Song? "There is a message in there for everyone and the key words of the song are 'be all you dare, your love's to share, embrace your fear and believe'. "The pride we have for our kids when they come out of the womb -- it's the best day of our lives -- and our lives become secondary and the kids are number one." As the founder and driving force behind Amici Forever, Sewell's album unsurprisingly covers similar territory -- from opera classics such as O Sole Mio and Nessun Dorma to standards such as My Way and You'll Never Walk Alone. The popera band has folded, a casualty of too many personnel changes, but Sewell remains proud of its achievements and legacy, blazing a trail for the likes of the Simon Cowell-created Il Divo and Josh Groban. Believe is out now. Source: The Herald Sun Article posted by: xcept Sunday, May 04, 2008 @ 00:21:08 BST

 

Hi Annie

I've just read your post after being out for the night. I read the article on ClassicalX. Initially there was a sense of deja vu- because to me- everything in that article has been printed in a previous article- maybe I can find the similarities and point them out- if I don't get disconnected.

 I would say that someone - yet again another lazy journalist- has put their own spin on the exact same line that concerned you previously- that Amici has gone their seperate ways. Rewriting it to give some sense of originality to their copy.

There has been no indication that Amici has folded- or disbanded- or gone their seperate ways - or any other variation some enterprising journalist may like to include in their article - to somehow give them an air of credibility- when they are only rehashing someone else's article or some publicity blurb they need to re-work.

I'm off to check where I've seen this  article before.

 Bev

 

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Thank you for addressing your concerns Annie, but I assure you that the recent articles regarding Geoff and the launch of his new album refer solely to Geoff and Amici parting ways following his daughters diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum disorder. In no way, shape or form is any of the publicity or media aimed at suggesting Amici no longer exists.

It is only because of the amazing progress his daughter Sienna has made, thanks to the inspiring and passionate love, support and help he and his wife have given her, that Geoff is now able to sing again, producing a CD that is a tribute to his family and the often difficult and emotional journey they have travelled over the past few years, and which also gets the message out there that there is hope following a diagnosis of autism.

Geoff is very big news over here in Australia dn even more so in his homeland, New Zealand, so there has been a huge amount of media interest in his album and promo's. Amici are being mentioned a lot in Geoff's publicity and the articles/interviews with him as the group was a major part of his family's life for 5 years, with he and his wife Simone founding Amici. I genuinely think the majority of the "wrong impression" issues are simply that, in that the articles have been worded wrong and rather inaccurately, alongside some unfortunate tardy research and as a result people are assuming that they are saying much more than is intended.

I'm sure there will be lots more news and updates about Amici soon, but in the meantime I hope that helps a little and you can continue to enjoy both Geoff and Amici's beautiful music!

Jo x

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Your attitude determines your altitude in life

I hate articles like this. I read a blog/comment on a you tube video about Amici breaking up and I ignored it, but hearing the rumour resurface makes me sad. Even if it's not true it puts it out there for discussion which can be damaging for the group and upsetting for their supporters.

Ba hum bug to lazy journalists.

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'Be good. But if you can't be good be careful."

You are quite right Sparkle, it is damaging to the group as a whole and will undermine the supporter base as well. I am sure that when the time is right we will hear more from Our Gang and look forward to a long and happy association with them as a great fan of the music they generate.

 

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Ceedee

alive well and always kicking

You're quite right, ceedee.

 These sorts of blatant mistruths are so damaging to the group and their support base. There seems to be an implication that the group has disbanded when Geoff left.

We all know that didn't happen. They did a very successful UK tour after that.

They have done- and are continuing to do private functions- which we are not privy to-  with future bookings in the U.K. and overseas.

I really have to wonder- that old adage-  once is an accident- twice is a coincidence- 3 times is deliberate.

The misinformation  about Amici should really cease and desist in future articles about Geoff. By now the journalists should have got the facts straight- or have had the error of their ways pointed out to them by someone in Geoff's camp. 

To illustrate the impact of these articles- I've had Steve- the ex- send me a copy of the last one via email!

The mere fact that he read an article Amici -related- let alone got to the last line AND was concerned enough to send it to me- just points to the incredible ramifications these have on the fringes of the Amici community- let alone those living within.  As a much suffering Ammiratori  co-dependant- whose eyes glaze over at the mere mention- and who pulls out the hearing aid when played-to evoke a response from him means this is a grave situation indeed. These articles must cease and desist for all our sakes!

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All of this talk has just been confirming my worst nightmares so I certainly hope that someone comes forward and puts our minds(and hearts! ) at rest

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Hi Cherri

Hope this helps - but I have it on good authority that as I mentioned above- Amici have been, and are continung to perform as a group- at this stage mainly for corporate and private functions.together.

They are still Amici- and who knows at this stage (and any artist for that matter-)what their future performances will entail.

They have in no way 'disbanded'- 'no longer exist'- or however the various press releases are saying it.

Amici does still exist and do still perform.

Any reports in the Australian media to the contrary are misinformation.

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Thnk you Bev for all your reassurance. The sensible, devoted part of me was saying what rubbish the rumours were - but once you get that little niggle in your head it's hard to shake. But you've done it and I'm bouncy and cheerful again.

Have  great day

 E

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'Be good. But if you can't be good be careful."

Hi everyone.

I am going to try and draw a line under this topic.

It would appear to be an example of 'Chinese Whispers' which had got totally out of control.   There is no doubt in my mind that this is clearly an example of 'sloppy journalism'.

It matters not who, why or when someone picked up the ball and began to run with it, we, as sensible, and, I hope, well informed followers of both Geoff and Amici will know in our hearts that although Amici has gone through transitions in their lineup, should there have been any 'Official' announcements, we would, as a matter of courtesy, been the first to be informed.

I personally, can calm your fears, Amici are still Amici, they are and will continue to perform together, albeit at mainly private functions at present.

I will not take the step of locking this thread, as I am sure you would like the ability to be able to reply and continue to quell this rumour and show our unfaltering support to Amici.

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Thanks for that Pat.  Will somebody please put in a clapping emoticon as mine have gone walkabout.

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Ceedee

alive well and always kicking

I think there is little more that can be added.  Pat is right, we are all sensible and well informed enough not to believe all we read; but I think we are all united in recognising the potential harm this could have done to Amici and it was right that this was raised.

However, the last three articles on Classical X do appear to have taken a more accurate tone, and so hopefully the ability to express our concerns has brought about some damage limitation. 

Amici will well know that we are out there rooting for them.  It is really good to know that the corporate line is working well for them; but we are all itching to see them back in the public arena and/or recording studio  -  I have to say, the silence has been deafening. 

Best wishes

Annie
 

Thanks Annie-

I must go and check the new articles.

As Pat has said- regardless of how the misinformation started-

it is good to know- that for whatever reason-  they may now contain - as you say -'a more accurate tone.'

And after watching a  portion of the clip of Amici's Senza Catane- when Geoff gave one of his interviews-

it was still enticing enough to have sent me off searching for the Amici Opera Band cd.

I think that is still  one of the most visually beautiful song video clips I've ever seen.

 

 

 

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