International recording artist Vittorio Grigolo arrives in the U.S. with a stunning self-titled debut album, Vittorio. Released on September 12, 2006, the album was one of the highest classical chart debuts ever for a new artist in the UK, landing him in the Top 10 alongside the likes of Andrea Bocelli. Now, this astounding collection of stirring ballads and powerful love songs establishes the 28-year-old as the next male crossover singer poised for stateside success.Born in Rome but raised in Arezzo, near Florence, Vittorio has developed a reputation as one of the most talented young singers of his generation. Dubbed "Il Pavarottino" ("Little Pavarotti") by the press after Vittorio and Pavarotti appeared together in a performance of Tosca in Rome, Vittorio was well on his way with the kind of career most artists only dream about. At the age of 23, he was the youngest Italian tenor ever to sing at La Scala (Bernstein's West Side Story), and was soon performing Mozart, Verdi and Rossini throughout Europe, Japan, and America.Word about Vittorio's talents quickly reached Simon Cowell, who was so impressed by Vittorio that he wanted him to be a member of Il Divo. Vittorio declined Cowell's offer in order to establish himself as a solo artist, while still pursuing his passion for opera. While "popera" artists proliferate left and right, Vittorio has been recognized as uniquely motivated whose ambition is matched only by his talent."He has a voice to die for, very mellow despite all that Italian emotion and expression," says Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, who recorded "Il Mio Miracolo (You Are My Miracle)" with Vittorio for the new album. "He's very young to be a working tenor but you can tell immediately he is the real thing." Adds the music journal Hitsheet, "If the buzz surrounding (him) is anything to go by then 2006 is going to be Vittorio's year."