London Poppy Day and Reviewing

Yesterday Jonathan took part in London Poppy Day which is a fantastic annual event organised by the British Legion.

He started his day on a London bus visiting No 10 Downing Street (home of the British Prime Minister) and images of him flew around the television channels during the morning.  The above was captured by Jan Smith Head Fantoine who keeps us on our toes!

Following his chat with the Prime Minister, the bus left for Covent Garden where Jonathan did a special Balcony Show on the Uk release day of his album (13 October in case you’ve forgotten).

We’re very lucky to have a recording of his performance at Covent Garden taken by one of the Fantoines, but I’ve been a little remiss and not asked her permission to use it - although I’m sure she will be thrilled - so ‘tune in’ tomorrow, by which time I will have her assent. It’s certainly a video you won’t want to miss.

The photograph to the left is a sneak preview of Jonathan on stage at Covent Garden yesterday afternoon.

There were lots of photographers there so other photos are bound to appear on the internet. Try ‘googling' for them.


Another subject altogether: Reviewing on Amazon 

The following is part of an email I received recently from a delightful Fantoine marketing expert, Sue Zange, who asked if I could explain the importance of Amazon reviews on Tenore.

 I know we are all loving the wonderful success Jonathan is achieving with this first solo album Tenore. We Fantoines can help even more in keeping the momentum going.  Let’s keep the pace up with letting everyone know how wonderful it is and post our reviews on Amazon. #telltheworldaboutjonathan

Amazon reviews are a critical part of ensuring Tenore stays high in the charts. Of course not all of us are wordsmiths and even those who like writing reviews can find it slightly difficult finding enough adjectives to describe Jonathan’s exceptional talent and personality.  One word will suffice if you’re stuck, because now Amazon don’t insist upon a defined number of words in a review.  You can write a review on Amazon even though you purchased Tenore elsewhere.

Here is the link for the CD on Amazon UK.  Once you’ve finished your review on that page, please go to the Tenore MP3 page and do another if you don’t mind. Not tired yet?  Then scroll down the MP3 page and review each track by clicking on the name of each track (not the ‘play’ arrow).  If you have problems please email me.

If you do read other reviews please click the YES button at the side of ‘do you find this helpful’.  All these actions are collated by Amazon and will keep Tenori high in the listings.

Once you’ve done all that, sit back and relax in the knowledge that you’ve made a great contribution towards keeping 'our boy' up there where he belongs.  In a couple of days your help will be needed all over again by reviewing on Amazon.com once Tenore is released in the US.

Thank you all so much.  Every little helps and remember, your review is as important as every other one.

Should anyone have any questions about reviewing please email me and I’ll do my best to help. Email address is over there. >>>




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Happy Birthday!

My dream would be to post a video with Jonathan singing Happy Birthday, but that’s not going to happen, so the graphic will have to do.

It’s a year since I started this blog and to date I’ve published 157 posts about ‘our boy’ and his achievements. How time flies.

I want to say a big thank you to the thousands of you who have visited in the past 12 months.  Also, I’d like to give a big thank you to the many Fantoines who have given their permission to use their fabulous photographs, videos and creative works of art. Their input to posts is invaluable. Thank you each and every one of you. There are too many to name individually (that’s my excuse because I have a dreadful memory and I may cause offence if I leave someone out).  

Quite a few people have asked who is involved in writing the blog and I have had to admit it’s a ‘one-man-band’. Me.

My online pseudonym is Subrosa although I use JonathanFan to post here.  Don’t ask me why I didn’t use Subrosa because I’ve no sensible answer! It’s not easy to remember so far back (ageing has its negatives), but I possibly thought JonathanFan was more appropriate to this particular blog.

It was my idea to have a source, outwith Facebook and Twitter, for anyone who wanted information about the fantastic tenor Jonathan Antoine.  There was very little online about Jonathan a year ago and I thought it important to boost his online presence because, as most of you know, Facebook and Twitter are only a small percentage of the internet experience.  

That was then. What a difference a year makes doesn’t it?  Jonathan has come into his own and when anyone googles his name they see up-to-date images and articles about his ongoing achievements.  Wonderful isn’t it?

Note: May I reiterate that this blog is not associated in any way whatsoever with Jonathan, his family, Sony (his record label) or his management. It is run by me for his worldwide fans and the opinions expressed are my own. The comments - always greatly appreciated - are yours.



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Covent Garden (video)

Thanks to Fantoine Pam Rose for this video of Jonathan at his Balcony Show in Covent Garden last Monday 13 October - Tenore release day. Tweet

TWO Number Ones This Week!

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For the second week running Jonathan is top of the UK Classical Charts. He deserves such an accolade and his place within the music scene in the UK.

The radio station Classic FM published their weekly music charts earlier this evening too.

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You can read a short article about Jonathan’s achievement here.  Classic FM is a very popular media outlets for classical music and is highly regarded in the music world, so achieving immediate Number One status is great news.

Another exciting start to a new week.

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Jonathan Smashes Chart Record

Whilst browsing the web to see what other tenors have been top of the UK Classical Charts, I came across the Wiki page of Jonathan Ansell.  Seems he’s held the accolade of youngest tenor ever to hold this position. Ansell was 26 at the time.

As you all know ‘our’ Jonathan is only 19 and now holds the position of top of the UK Classical Charts this week (unless anyone can find evidence of someone younger). He’s now the youngest ever!

I do hope ROAR (his management team) and his PR make an effort to ensure this information is supplied to all entertainment and music media.  It’s a very important accolade for ‘our boy’.

Congratulations Jonathan!!

The image above is from Bjarne Hemmingsen who travelled, along with his wife Bente, from Denmark to see Jonathan in the Bridgwater Hall, Manchester on Saturday evening. We’re so lucky to have such superb photographs made freely available to us.  Thanks Bjarne.

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Jonathan’s Interview on BBC Scotland (audio)

BBC Scotland’s Classics Unwrapped Jamie McDougall interviewing Jonathan earlier this evening.

Many thanks to Matt McCauley who kindly recorded it. Tweet

Interview BBC Radio Scotland Tuesday Evening

Image by kind permission of Fantoine Lin Gee

It’s always good to be rewarded isn’t it? 

For months I’ve been emailing Scotland’s radio stations about Jonathan but none has a programme similar to the wonderful Chris Needs at BBC Radio Wales.

However, undaunted - well most of the time - I’m reliably informed by the BBC that tomorrow evening (Tuesday) at 8.05pm, the BBC Radio Scotland’s Classics Unwrapped presenter Jamie McDougall, will be interviewing Jonathan and playing a track from Tenore.

This weekly programme lasts for nearly 2 hours, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it while you wait for Jonathan’s interview.  Please tune in by your various methods.  If some of you overseas would like to put your ‘method’ and the link in comments that would be a great help to those who haven’t attempted listening to a radio station outside their own country.  Thanks.

Now all I need is for a few more of Scotland’s radio stations to recognise exceptional talent when they hear it.  It will happen, but we’re slow up here.

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Number One

We all knew Tenore would be a smash hit but it’s good to see it in type on your screen.

The weekly UK Music Charts were published earlier this evening and Jonathan is No 1 in Classical Albums.

Such a marvellous achievement and a worthy reward for all his hard work.  I’m sure you will agree with me that he has worked tirelessly promoting his album in the past months.

Oh, below is a photo from his appearance, with Sara and Mario, at The Last Night of the Autumn Proms in Manchester last night. Another standing ovation I’m told.  Bravo!

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TENORE Celebration Video

One of our lovely Fantoines is putting together a video in celebration of the release of Tenore.  Her message is below and details of how to join in the video above. Let’s all make it a great success and remember - there’s room for everyone!

Please replace the AT with the @ symbol in her email address.  Thanks.

If you want to be included in the Tenore Celebration Video please email your photos with the album, name and town/city to ducky.fantoineATgmail.com .. I know some albums won't arrive till mid November so the video won't be completed till early December. Tweet

Fame At Last?

Is the blog famous now that Jonathan Shalit has tweeted the link last week?  

Jonathan Shalit OBE@jonathanshalit

Jonathan Antoine’s Fantoinesjonathanantoinefans.blogspot.com via@TheFantoines

	07:37 AM - 11 Oct 14

I feel all Fantoines do their utmost to promote Jonathan as much as possible and prior to the release of the album in the UK, Sony have made tremendous efforts to ensure it is available worldwide, but I’ve never been too impressed by ROAR’s part in the promotion of Jonathan. With the exception of the odd tweet they’ve been invisible.  (For those of you who don’t know, ROAR is Jonathan’s management company and Jonathan Shalit is his manager.)  

What do you think? Have you noticed any promotions or promotional material  from ROAR for Jonathan - other than a few tweets from Mr Shalit?

I’m not going to let Mr Shalit’s tweet go to my head although I thank him for his recognition and suggest fame would have reached our magnificent young tenor with or without the help of ROAR, but it may have taken slightly longer.

As Chris Needs says: “The cream always rises to the top.” 

What a delight it is to be part of the incredible musical journey of Jonathan Antoine.  His album is breathtaking and I cannot find enough adjectives to describe how I felt whilst playing it for the first time.  It will be winging its way to you soon if you haven’t received it already. 

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TENORE Party Sydney Style

Two lovely Australian Fantoines, Allison Gentle and Kath Christensen, decided to have their very own Tenore release party on Monday (UK time).

What a great idea and it looks so much fun.  Perhaps some of us can think of something similar for Jonathan’s next album?

Thank you ladies for allowing me to post this here.  Much appreciated.


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Interview With Radio Essex

An interview with Radio Essex earlier today. Tweet

Oh Happy Day!

photo courtesy of Fantoine Pam Rose

Since early morning the internet has been buzzing with praise for Jonathan and his fantastic 12 track CD.

I received some of mine but not all.  Disappointing really because I ordered mine in batches so as they would fit through my letter box in case I wasn’t at home. Amazon are usually very efficient with delivering here in the Highlands of Scotland, but my sympathies lie with those of you outside the UK who can’t even download the MP3s as yet.  Please believe me it’s so very, very worth the wait.  Today I ran out of adjectives for Jonathan’s album - I’m sure you can understand the reason.  It’s so good.

Unfortunately I’ve not been online tonight until now so have had little chance to see much of the excitement since morning and the latest wonderful graphics which have been produced by Fantoines, but here is a link you may find very interesting. (For some reason I’m unable to download it directly to the blog).

Here is another link to the Classic FM (radio) where John Suchet is playing Jonathan’s album as 'album of the week' on his show just after 10.00am (GMT) from today until Friday.  Please try and listen although I know it’s the middle of the night for many of you.  

Some Fantoines have suggested Filmon is a good way to access such programmes outside of the UK.  A comment below mentions Hola as another way to access programmes from abroad. These are not recommendations from me but I hope one of them works for you.

I’ll post more news tomorrow but if you have anything you would like posted on the blog please let me know.  My email is over there >>> and I am on Facebook as Subrosa Blonde. 



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Hours, Not Days, To Wait!

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The lovely Debby posted this super graphic on Facebook just after midnight last night and I couldn’t resist posting it here.  Isn’t it so apt for today? Thanks Debby.

It seems a few UK Fantoines have received their signed copies of the CD but they live around the London area.  The rest of us will have to wait until at least Monday for the postman, but I’m hoping the Amazon mp3 will be released at midnight tonight.

Jonathan returned home from Finland yesterday.  He’s posted an item which was on Finnish television news (there’s a short video accompanying it for you to enjoy too).

Don’t forget, when you do receive your album, please write a review on Amazon and/or iTunes.  The reviews are important and will be used by Sony to gauge the success of the album in the UK and to plan Jonathan’s future appearances.  There are many loyal Fantoines who live outside the UK who are desperate to see Jonathan sing live in their countries and your review will help their dream.  Thank you.






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A Message from Jonathan

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Special Balcony Show, London

On Monday, 13 October, Jonathan will be singing from the above balcony at 1pm.

The venue is overlooking the famous Covent Garden Piazza (opposite St Paul’s Church), London.

The performance is to celebrate his album release and also to pay tribute to Pavarotti whose birthday would have been 12 October.

If any of you are in London this coming Monday perhaps you may manage to go along and give support to ‘our boy’.

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Destination? Finland!

After hours of frenzied guesswork by Fantoines, this morning Twitter revealed Jonathan flew to Helsinki in Finland yesterday and performed at the Nordic Business Forum 2014.  The above photograph was sent, via twitter, by an enamoured member of the audience.

Another photograph via twitter:

The Events page has been updated. Tweet

Television, Recording for Charity and Heathrow

Jonathan is to appear on the Lorraine Show tomorrow (Friday) at 8.30am on the UK channel ITV1. I do hope the iPlayer makes it available for all of you overseas. It would seem he has pre-recorded his performance as the above photo is captioned ‘Jonathan Antoine leaving the Lorraine studios (in London)’.  It was taken this morning.

This afternoon he took part in a charity recording, at London’s famous Air Studios for Global’s Make Some Noise charity. 

The photo shows him with Anna Berry (who produced his album) and Julian Reynolds (head of the Royal Academy in London), listening back to the charity single “Steadfast’ which will be completed later tonight and available on iTunes from midnight.

If you do use Twitter look under the hashtag #makesomenoise for further information.



Then, when we didn’t think we would hear any more from Jonathan (as he had tweeted he’d left home at 5.30am this morning), another tweet appeared a couple of hours ago.
                           

Jonathan Antoine @JonAntoine · 5h5 hours ago

At Heathrow airport xx 

Where is he going?  Who knows?  The suspense is thrilling though!


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More Pre-Release Excitement

I’m a bit late with this news but have only heard Jonathan will be appearing on QVC UK tomorrow morning at 9am.  Hopefully a Fantoine will manage to record it and if so I will post it here.

Other news involves the a Tenore Launch Party pack.  You can download it from the link on Jonathan’s website (on the home page there is a red box on the bottom right and the party pack is the revolving 4th image).  The pack includes the lyrics to all the tracks so no matter where you live, be it Europe, Australia or Japan, we can all sing along when we receive our CDs, mp3s or vinyls (although I think the signed vinyls will become works of art rather than being played on a turntable.

Chris Needs has been fantastic in his support of Jonathan and all this week he’s playing tracks from Tenore on his nightly programme.  It is accessible from most countries.

A little fun from Jonathan can be seen on YouTube.  He posted the video on his Facebook page and on YouTube but, as it’s unlisted, he has asked for consideration to be given to it being shared.  I decided, under the circumstances, not to embed it here but to provide a link instead.  Do view it. It’s the first time we’ve seen his playing guitar and singing.  I’ll let you discover the song for yourself.





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Pre-Release Excitement

Picture:  Paul Marc Mitchell

Isn’t this a super photograph?  This past week has been so busy for ‘our boy’ as he promotes his album and he will be as busy this week.

The Daily Telegraph was very complimentary about Jonathan’s performance at the iTunes Festival last week, but I was slightly disappointed with the lack of other reviews from the main stream media.  It seems few leading newspapers employ journalists who specialise in the arts these days which forces people online.  Sadly quite a few of our older generation now miss out because, for one reason or another, they do not use computers. Throughout the UK classes are provided for anyone who would like to learn about IT (Information Technology) so please try to encourage the older members of your family to ‘have a go’.

There was an excellent interview with Jonathan in the Yorkshire Evening Post a couple of days ago, plus Sony released a super video in which Jonathan discusses each track of his album.  Unfortunately it is too long for posting on this blog but it can be seen on YouTube. Don’t miss it because those of you who have yet to meet Jonathan will finally hear him talking and it’s a wonderful insight into his reasons for his track choices.

Tenore, as well we now being available on Amazon Germany (release date 21 October), is now available for pre-order from the US iTunes store for those of you residing in the US.  The release date is still early November but it will be worth the wait as we all know.

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Core n’grato - English Translation

Isn’t this a wonderful illustration and it includes the English translation of Core n’grato as you can see. To enlarge it just click on the image.

It was designed by the lovely Debby who has given me permission to reproduce it here.  Thanks so much Debby. Tweet