The Cell Phone Salesman from Wales

June 26, 2007

Last week an ordinary cell phone salesman from Wales named Paul Potts won the U.K. TV talent show Britain’s Got Talent when he blew everyone away with his beautiful rendition of Nessun Dorma. In the June 9th program where he made his first appearance before a national audience, the judges were stunned, and the audience went wild for Mr. Potts as though he were Justin Timberlake or some other top pop icon. For me, as I watched the video from June 9th, I couldn’t help but be moved by this shy, unassuming everyman who managed to tranfix an audience unaccustomed to opera and classical music. I’ve been thinking about the interesting juxtaposition of his rarefied talent and its discovery on a program that appeals to the masses by showcasing acts that are often, er well, pretty lowbrow. I’ve also found it fascinating that Mr. Potts has taken America by storm through the Internet on YouTube and has even snagged an appearance on the Today show. So here’re some questions: Will Mr. Potts’ new found popularity last? Is his fame and the way he won it good for classical music? Personally, I think it’s great that an Average Joe singing Puccini can touch so many people and get rewarded for it. But understandibly, there are those who see this as cynical opportunism on the part of the media who want to milk the cash cow for as long as it pays. I’m curious about what you think? Take a look at the video and weigh in. By the way, Paul Potts has his own MySpace site at http://www.myspace.com/paul_potts.