Amaury Vassili may be a new face and voice in the opera music world, but he’s seen at least of small portion of the world as he attempts to take his music to the people. Before jetting to South Africa, he had been to Toronto and Montreal in Canada as well as Switzerland, promoting his debut album entitled Vincero. He performed at The Protea Hotel: Fire & Ice in Melrose Arch last Wednesday, the same place where I met and briefly chatted with him on Friday morning.

He was sad that nobody had ever told him about South Africa before because he has fallen in love with the country in the next few days he’s been here. He admits that although he didn’t know what to expect, the audience here have been incredibly warm and receptive.

Amaury chose to do opera music because he loves the genus. When he discovered his voice, his manager, who was just a friend then, encouraged him to get into the music business. He declares that he is happy he did because his respect for artists like Josh Groban was heightened due to the work that goes into the work he does. Although he doesn’t mind being compared to the likes of Josh Groban or Il Divo, he stresses that it is different because he is European. Additionally, he states that he is different because he doesn’t have formation, but sings with instinct more than technique.

Opera music may seem like a difficult arena to get into. Amaury feels differently, citing its small world as a vehicle for its simple nature. He believes that it is very easy organizing concerts and promoting his album because there is not a great deal required from him. The cost factor doesn’t affect him because when the orchestra is on stage with him he knows it’s an experience to cherish for a lifetime.

Feeling the difference between a free musician and having an orchestra is something important to him. Amaury’s honesty is refreshing and sincere as he reveals that he would have loved to play piano and sing, but he stopped playing piano from an early age because he is not a musician but a singer.

He spoke briefly about covering songs like Diana Ross and Lionel Richie’s Endless Love and Killing Me Softly by Roberta Flack, saying the former was not very easy to record because of its many vibes that are very difficult to adapt to his voice – and the fact that he recorded his part separately with Catherine Jenkins recording hers all the way in America – and the process being the same in terms of the tempo for the latter.

It seems this wasn’t his only challenge. Amaury’s biggest challenge was realizing an international career. On the flip side of that, as big as the world is, he realized it’s possible to sing anywhere in it. This is exactly why he came here to treat his audience in this part of the world with his talent, vowing to return in the future. Another reason that brought him here is his love for traveling. He also feels lucky to be doing this kind of music because it’s easy to distribute. This is attributed to the fact that he doesn’t only sing in French, but also in Italian, English and Spanish.

Amaury is quick to point out though that he also listens to reggae music, as well as other international varieties of sound. Amongst other things he enjoys doing is watching and playing sports like football and basketball; also indulging in watching TV for fun during his spare time. He sadly admits that he would love to do more fun stuff, but the small town near the suburbs of Paris where he lives with mostly old people doesn’t allow him to see a lot of younger people. He actually has to drive long distances to a better town, in Amsterdam, if he wants to club or engage in something of that nature.

Asked about his marital status after noticing a ring on his wedding band ring, he laughed and came clean that he is not married. Young ladies throughout the world still stand a chance with him though as he would love to get married. He’s not very picky with the woman he would like to date, saying he loves honest, interesting women with big smiles – because he doesn’t like sad faces.

He’s a gentle and kind young man, qualities that inherently come across as you chat to him. He emphasized that he would like to be remembered fro his music firstly as he grows old. However, he doesn’t want people thinking of his music only, but also of him as a kind person. In his journey as this kind man, at around age 30 – 35 as he pointed out, he wants to go to Ethiopia and Botswana to do some humanitarian work. As shy as he is, one thing he doesn’t shy away from is that he has a passion for Africa, especially Ethiopia. Amaury feels strongly about his image being used for something to better other nations that need help.

That’s quite a big heart displayed by this young man. He even goes on to give advice to those kids wanting to get into the music business. What he says with passion and conviction is that they need to know their audience, which is why he likes doing small showcases. He feels you have a lot of things to give to an audience that can be controlled in that manner.

It was amazing meeting Amaury. He’s an immensely talented young man with a great future ahead of him. His limitation of the English language at times created some challenges as we chatted, but his manager assisted as much as she could. Amaury’s debut album, Vincero, is out now at music shops. Get your copy now. It’s beautiful, moving music accompanied by an angelic voice.

Be Sociable, Share!

•