Classical Crossover tenor Jonathan Antoine Going the Distance

Jonathan Antoine became an internet sensation from his first note of “The Prayer” on Britain’s Got Talent. The potential of his immense talent was evident even though he hadn’t quite yet found his confidence. Yet, even then, he endearingly stuck up for his singing partner Charlotte Jaconelli and together they made it to the series finals.

When the duo eventually parted ways to pursue their different paths (musical theater for Charlotte and classical for Jonathan), he released the debut album, Tenore. Jonathan has continued to grow musically and his loyal fan base has thrilled at the release of Going the Distance.

So how has Jonathan changed over the years? “It may well be easier to count the ways in which I haven’t changed, whether that be personally, vocally, or otherwise. Over the course of my career, I have experienced things that changed the way I viewed life every other week, and I hope that I can go forward continuing to learn and develop so radically. My voice has been fairly settled for the past few years, aside from gaining about a semitone in my lower register, which has always been the weakest part of my voice.” He puts the new low notes to good use in “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”.

The album has been in the works for some time, at least in Jonathan’s mind. “The selection was based mostly upon a pre-existing idea I had had several years ago. I had always wanted to create an album/show hybrid built in 3 acts, each act displaying a different theme and story element through the music. I used what I knew for the story, and I know my own story pretty well. From there it was easy to relate key ideals and times in my life back to the music; Disney songs were a huge inspiration for my childhood, where the story starts, and the maturity of the repertoire steadily blossoms therefrom.”

Jonathan’s control over his instrument is evident as he is able to adapt his powerful vocals to fit the stylistic needs of each piece. “Go the distance” and “Can you feel the love tonight” in particular show his range. Another highlight from the album is “Compass (I Will Lead you Home.”

In addition to the album Going the Distance was also filmed as a television special for American Public Television and has been airing across the United States. “North American audiences have been much more excitable – I suppose some of it comes from the fact that some of them have waited quite a while for me to get here, for which I am deeply sorry. I’ve said it before a few times but in the live DVD we couldn’t use a lot of the crowd shots because people were giving standing ovations to every song, and if we were to put that out people would think we had somehow faked it! It’s just this beautiful natural enthusiasm, perhaps it’s the American way.”

He’s had much time for reflection on the Britain’s Got Talent experience and Jonathan remains incredibly grateful. “I personally had a wonderful time being a part of BGT, and made memories that I believe I shall cherish for the rest of my life. The people that I was able to meet via the show enriched my life in ways that I cannot explain. If I must pick something that you might call a ‘downside’, I would say I have a love-hate relationship with filming nowadays. I love filming, seeing the end product, and interacting with wonderful people all throughout. What I dislike is the waiting. It’s very normal when filming for TV that one must repeat shots, and must wait while other people get their shots – sometimes you’ll be called in for a day, wait around and end up not actually doing anything because someone else ran on too long!”

Jonathan cites appreciation for the human experience as his ongoing inspiration. “The very fact that I can exist in a world filled with other people. If I look outside of my window I can see the signs of life, the evidence that all of these people are choosing to live despite the insurmountable struggles of mankind. The fact that we do not all weep at the magnitude of both joy and suffering that exists in our world is enough inspiration for many lifetimes over.”

He’s stayed active connecting with fans during the lockdown. “I’ve been running through a song a day live on my twitch channel to keep everything in check. Other than that I’ve been able to develop my creative muscles in many different areas, I’ve put a fair bit of time into video editing and can usually complete whatever project is put in front of me within 12 to 24 hours now. Oh, and I’ve been doing a lot of walking around my garden.”

Jonathan sings a cover of “Summertime” on his album that feels fresh after being so often sung by a female voice. It also points to possible more experimentation in the future. Perhaps the most unexpected choice on the album is “Country Roads.” It’s clear that Jonathan is not afraid to take risks.

 “The only things I won’t try are those which don’t strike a chord with me emotionally. It is important to know one’s limitations and act within them, and equally important to open oneself to whatever opportunity may be afforded. I just performed and recorded Nessun Dorma for the first time for this project, and that was a hurdle I was approaching for a long time. I am often overzealous and will grab for things that are out of my reach, in this case, I’m glad that I waited – I was able to produce something that I am truly proud of.”

Going the Distance is available for purchase and on streaming platforms.

Keep up to date with Jonathan’s latest projects on his official website

Natasha Barbieri, Editor

Editor

Creator of Classical Crossover Magazine. For Natasha music has always been closely tied to her faith. At age 18, Natasha made her opera debut playing the part of the mother in Menotti’s ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ with the Eastern Festival Opera. At 20, she was a winner of the 2011 Young Artist Competition at Andrews University. Natasha graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s of Music. Natasha has released a series of Holiday singles “A Place Called Home” (2020), “One Little Boy,” and “The Perfect Year” (2021). In 2021, she was nominated for the ‘Future Classic Women Awards’ show on Men’s & Women’s Radio Station. Natasha is the creator and editor of ‘Classical Crossover Magazine’ a venture that has allowed her to interview many of the top stars in the genre including Sarah Brightman, Celtic Woman, Mirusia, Paul Potts, and more. During the covid-19 pandemic, she created an online concert series for the magazine that has seen her perform in the same line-up as Alex Sharpe, Lucy Kay, Barbara Padilla, Classical Reflection, and more on the virtual stage. In 2022, Natasha was included on the charity album “Stars of Classical Crossover: Christmas” in benefit of the Wallace & Gromit Children’s Charity.