Today, #1 UK chart-topping Classical tenor, Jonathan Antoine, announced that he has released a reimagined version of the critically-acclaimed songwriter Diane Warren’s 2021 Academy Award®-nominated and Golden Globe®-winning song, “Io Sì (Seen).” This new version will debut alongside an original music video available today via Loki Artist Group and MTX. Watch the music video to "IO SÌ (Seen)" here.
The original song, a deeply personalized, emotional ballad with music and lyrics by Diane Warren and Italian lyrics by Laura Pausini and Niccolò Agliardi, was first performed by Laura Pausini for Netflix’s 2020 film, The Life Ahead.
Warren is a 12-time Academy Award® nominee whose other accolades include one Grammy Award (with 15 nominations), an Emmy Award®, and two Golden Globe Awards, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. Having expressed praise for Antoine’s sound before, she asked him to record his own version of the celebrated track. When speaking of Antoine’s re-imagined version, Warren has noted Antoine to be “such an amazing singer. I had a feeling it would be brilliant when I heard he was going to record it, but I was not prepared for how truly awesome it would be. I know his fans and everyone who hears it will feel the same. Bravo, my friend!”
This is not the first time Warren and Antoine have collaborated on music together, as Antoine has recorded two of Diane’s songs in the past: “These Are The Special Times (Momenti Splendidi)” and “Compass (I Will Lead You Home),” both released in 2020 as part of Antoine’s albums, ChristmasLand and Going The Distance, respectively.
Antoine’s rendition of “Io Sì (Seen)” was produced by Grammy® and Emmy® Award-winning producer Gregg Field, who has worked with legendary stars such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, and more. Antoine recorded the vocals in London, while the music was recorded by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra in Hungary, and was produced by Field in Los Angeles. Like the original, Antoine’s version is sung in Italian.
“Being able to be a part of Diane’s musical world is a genuine honour. Every time she sends me a song, my heart leaps knowing that there is some beautiful gem sitting in my inbox,” Antoine said about the project. “I hope that people can feel the joy of life from this song. When I hear it, I feel as though all things that the world has to offer are right before me... like I am on top of the world. I want to share that feeling with people, and I hope that comes across in my performance,” said Antoine.
Getting his start at the tender age of 17, Jonathan first made his mark as a global sensation following an astounding performance on Britain’s Got Talent, becoming one the world’s most-viewed television auditions of any performer in history. He later released two best-selling albums with his singing partner from the show, Charlotte Jaconelli, before going on to have further success as a solo-artist and becoming the youngest tenor to achieve a #1 Classical album.
Listen to "IO SÌ (Seen)" here