Canadian trio 'pops' into Webb Center

Destiny brought them together, Joey Niceforo said, hence the name, Destino.

The three singers who comprise Destino are all Canadians, all tenors, all with previous singing careers before forming what is fast becoming Canada’s classical crossover group.

"We are first, all soloists," Niceforo said. "And we sing just about any style you can name; pop, opera, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz and musical theater.

"We try to do a balance between classical and contemporary music," he said.

Niceforo added opera singers have to change their voices and vocal tones to sing pop songs, and pop singers have to do the same in order to sing opera.

Niceforo and Paul Ouellette both are classically trained opera singers who once sang with the Canadian Tenors. The third member of the group, Hans Munoz, is a pop singer who replaced the orginal third member, Leon Leontarides, who decided to leave the group when he became a father.

When asked about the group’s description as "popera," Niceforo said, "We try to make the music as acceptable as possible. We do ‘pop it up’ a bit."

He described the group’s repertoire as a combination of classical tunes interspersed with more popular music. The song list generally stays the same from show to show, he said.

"We try to do the ‘showstoppers’ every show, but the songs in between may change."

He said the classical numbers are well-known tunes, familiar to most audiences.

The group was on tour from September through mid-December and begins its 2010 tour in February in North Carolina, then is slated to sing at a couple of Winter Olympic events in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. They bring their musical blend to Arizona with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 in the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts in Wickenburg.

Accompanying the trio are two musicians, Roy Tan, who plays piano; and Rosemary Siemens, the violinist, who Niceforo said is the "glam" of the group.

"When she comes out on stage," he said, "there is an audible reaction from the audience.

"They are part of Destino, too," he added. "We are very lucky to have them."

Niceforo, 30, said he loves touring. "Being on the road is great, I love always being busy." He said this is the first tour for Munoz, 20, who has "lots of energy and is very excited." Niceforo said the group, with Ouellete, 39, will gather about a week before the tour begins and work on the musical numbers included in the repertoire.

Niceforo said Destino is looking forward to coming to Arizona. He also said there is talk of the group filming a PBS special in March.

"We are really blessed and fortunate to be able to do this," he said.

Tickets to see Destino are $28 for adults and $5 for children.

Claudia Sherrill may be reached at 623-876-2511 or csherrill@yourwestvalley.com.

IF YOU GO
WHO: Destino
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18.
WHERE: Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, 1090 S. Vulture Mine Road, Wickenburg.
COST: $28 for adults, $5 for children.
TICKETS: Box office, 928-684-6624; or online at www.delewebbcenter.org.