Echo reporter Dawn Hinsley was lucky enough to catch 10 minutes with not just one but two of the guys from Tenors Un Limited recently....

---

The strong America accent of Scott was first on the line, soon joined by Jem's sultry English tones.

The boys were in jovial mood, apologising for the absence of Paul. Keen to discuss their show, An evening with The Rat Pack of Opera, ahead of their visit to Lincoln soon.

Scott: "The show is a collection of the songs we have done over the years, put into a tour."

Jem: "We have been going for nine years now, so we have worked out how to accommodate all different venue sizes.

"For this tour we will be travelling with a full orchestra and solo piano. So the instrumental songs can be performed alongside the piano but for the more operatic pieces we are bringing our band."

I wonder ... if the guys could question everyone leaving one of their concerts and ask them how they felt, what would the ideal response be?

Jem: When everyone feels like they have had a personal show. With the collection on this tour there is something for everyone. We work hard to pick the right material and we are constantly debating this and talk about it so much.

"Most evenings we end with something like When You're Smiling, there's a bit of world music hall and experiences we have all had growing up in there. The whole thing is about good musicianship."

Scott:"If people were to love the show and said "brilliant fun", that would sum up the way most people do respond."

What affect can good music, regardless of the genre, have on the human spirit?

Scott: "It's important. Good music is fulfilling, uplifting, lifts the soul and lightens the spirit."

Jem: "Everyone has a different perception of good music. In the show we don't sing things we don't enjoy.

"If it moves us we hope it's going to move our audience. We sing what we want and write what we like and that's what Lincoln will enjoy."

Despite being famous classical singers, I have no doubt the guys have some guilty music pleasures. Is it Wham in the shower? A bit of Bros in the bathtub?

Scott: "My taste in music is very eclectic. I do like George Michael – his stuff is great. Another one of my guilty pleasures is Metallica.

Jem: I wouldn't really call mine a guilty pleasure but I'm fanatical about Barbara Streisand and Shirley Bassey who, as a performer, would take some beating.

Scott: My wife and I just bought Adele's latest album and I think she is brilliant.

Jem: "Me too. I didn't know Scott had bought that album as well. I also bought Bruno Mars.

Scott: A lot of stuff is coming out now isn't it...

Tenors Un Limited: An Evening With The Rat Pack Of Opera at Lincoln Theatre Royal on Sunday, February 19, 7.30pm. Tickets: £20, £19, Boxes £80. Box office: 01522 519999, www.lincolntheatreroyal.com