Il Divo Remember Carlos Marín, Discuss New Music

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Boasting chart-topping success across multiple continents, Il Divo has long basked in the rarefied air of global musical acclaim. Yet, 2021 brought an abrupt and profound confrontation with sorrow through the irreplaceable loss of a foundational bandmate.

Amidst the unprecedented global isolation of the pandemic, Carlos Marín—the charismatic Spanish baritone and an indispensable pillar of the classical crossover ensemble—tragically passed away at just 53 years of age.

For the remaining members—Swiss tenor Urs Bühler, French pop artist Sébastien Izambard, and American tenor David Miller—the period was defined by profound mourning and resilience. Their path forward illuminated with the arrival of Mexican-American baritone Steven LaBrie, a remarkable talent destined to propel Il Divo into an inspired second chapter.

“To be completely transparent, the journey was extraordinarily arduous,” Izambard reflects on the heartbreaking transition. “A portion of us felt a deep obligation to uphold our group’s enduring legacy. Had Carlos still been with us today, he undoubtedly would have urged us to press onward.”

When the collective resolved to continue their artistic voyage, Miller advocated for LaBrie, an artist he had previously collaborated with who possessed a truly exceptional vocal instrument. Upon listening to an introductory recording sent digitally, Izambard was instantly captivated. “Personally, I was utterly mesmerized,” he shares during a video call with Billboard. “I immediately noticed striking vocal parallels. The four of us sat down with Steven to discuss the profound magnitude of stepping into such formidable shoes.”

Marín’s passing, he continues, “ultimately served as a profound awakening for me personally. I want to embrace and cherish every possible moment of existence. That realization became an invaluable guiding philosophy for all of us.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the quartet is thoroughly revitalized and deeply immersed in their craft. A brand-new studio album is currently in development, serving as the anticipated successor to 2024’s XX—a milestone two-decade retrospective featuring fresh compositions and original songwriting.

“Our definitive objective is to create entirely fresh music,” Bühler affirms, “and subsequently return to the stage to share those creations with our global audience, alongside some exciting collaborative projects.” Truly, this is a development worth monitoring.

Il Divo remains an undisputed titan within its genre. Formed and guided under the tutelage of Simon Cowell in 2003, the vocal powerhouse has accumulated upwards of 30 million album sales, secured two chart-topping entries on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, and etched their name in history as the pioneering classical crossover act to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200—a feat achieved precisely twenty years ago in 2006 with their breakout record Ancora.

Over the course of their storied career, they have united with legendary vocalists such as Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, and Michael Ball, while performing for an illustrious array of international dignitaries, ranging from former U.S. presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Australian fans will soon have the distinct privilege of witnessing this exciting new era of Il Divo firsthand. The ensemble is scheduled to return to Australia for an exclusive all-star concert on December 5. Headlined by José Carreras, the landmark event will feature stellar performances from Robbie Williams, The Corrs, Ronan Keating, Natalie Imbruglia, Darren Hayes, Katherine Jenkins, and several other notable acts.

Presented by Echo Pacific Entertainment, the Carreras & Friends spectacular will take place at Brisbane’s iconic Gabba Stadium—the proud host venue for the upcoming 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This engagement represents Il Divo’s first live appearance in the region since their successful four-city tour in 2023, promoted by TEG Dainty, and acts as a magnificent early holiday celebration for followers of the group.

Carreras and his legendary, paradigm-shifting artistry alongside Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo served as a profound formative influence for Il Divo. “It is fair to say that Il Divo simply wouldn’t exist in its current form without the Three Tenors,” Miller notes with deep admiration. “It stands as yet another profound reason to express our enduring gratitude to Maestro Carreras.”

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