David D’Or

David D’Or is an Israeli singer known for his unique countertenor voice spanning four octaves. He has become one of Israel’s most popular modern singers, blending classical and pop styles. In his home country, D’Or won the “Singer of the Year” award multiple times for his extraordinary vocal performances. 

Early Life and Musical Education

David D’Or was born in 1965 in Holon, Israel, into a family of Libyan-Jewish heritage. As a child he loved singing, and he worked hard to preserve his high vocal range even after his voice changed in his teens. D’Or served as a singer in the Israeli army’s entertainment troupe during his military service. After the army, he pursued formal training in music. He studied at the Jerusalem Academy of Music from 1987 to 1990 and later at the Jerusalem Conservatory in 1991. This education refined his vocal technique and prepared him for a diverse musical career.

Rise in the Israeli Music Scene

In the early 1990s, David D’Or emerged as a rising star in Israel’s music scene. His debut album David D’Or was released in 1991 and featured the hit song “Yad Anuga” (“Delicate Hand”), which even reached the charts in the UK. He followed up with a second album Be’govah Mishtane (“Changing Heights”) in 1993, which went platinum in Israel. This album included “Tishmor al HaOlam Yeled” (“Watch Over the World, Child”), a song that became an iconic Israeli classic. D’Or’s powerful voice and heartfelt songs attracted listeners of all ages.

In 1993, he even competed in Israel’s national selection for Eurovision (Kdam Eurovision) with an original song, “Parpar”, and placed fourth. By the mid-1990s, D’Or was a household name, known for blending pop, folk, and classical influences in his music.

International Performances and Recognition

David D’Or’s talent soon earned him international attention. In 1995, as Israel established relations with the Vatican, D’Or was invited to perform for Pope John Paul II – he became the first Israeli singer to sing in Hebrew for a Pope. He even composed a special song in Hebrew and Italian for that concert, which was broadcast worldwide. Throughout the late 1990s, D’Or collaborated with diverse artists and orchestras. He recorded a cross-cultural album David & Shlomo with Moroccan-Israeli musician Shlomo Bar, fusing Middle Eastern and world music. In 1997, he teamed up with singer Etti Ankri for a duet album and premiered a cantata called “The Children of God,” a piece blending Jewish, Christian, and Muslim texts to promote love and unity. These projects highlighted D’Or’s versatility and his message of harmony through music.

By the early 2000s, David D’Or was regularly performing with philharmonic orchestras and at major events around the world. Famed conductor Zubin Mehta invited him to sing as a soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. People from many countries were drawn to his concerts, and D’Or gave shows across Europe, the United States, Asia, and Australia. He received invitations to sing for heads of state and royalty. For example, he performed at the Vatican numerous times and sang for U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, as well as at a United Nations memorial event. These international appearances solidified his status as a world-renowned Israeli singer.

Eurovision 2004 – “Leha’amin” (To Believe)

In late 2003, David D’Or was selected by the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to represent Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. He co-wrote the song “Leha’amin” (Hebrew for “To Believe”) with renowned lyricist Ehud Manor. The uplifting ballad, featuring D’Or’s soaring countertenor vocals, was chosen in a televised national vote.

During the Eurovision events in Istanbul 2004, D’Or faced a personal challenge – he briefly left rehearsal week to be with his ailing father, yet he returned in time to perform live. On the night of the semi-final, he delivered an emotional performance of “Leha’amin” in front of an international audience. He finished 11th in the semi-final and did not advance to the final. The song “Leha’amin” was included on an album he released in 2004, and it appeared on the official Eurovision compilation for that year. Despite the contest outcome, D’Or was honored as Israel’s Singer of the Year again in 2004, showing his continued popularity at home.

Post-Eurovision Career and Continued Success

After Eurovision 2004, David D’Or continued to expand his musical repertoire. In 2005, he recorded a crossover English electronic version of “Careless Whisper,” demonstrating his ability to venture into pop and dance music. In 2006, he released the album Kmo HaRuach (“Like the Wind”), which featured duets with famous Israeli artists such as Arik Einstein and Shlomi Shabat, blending world music with jazz and even Asian elements. He also collaborated with Israeli rapper Subliminal on a hip-hop track, showing that his four-octave voice could adapt to any genre.

In 2007, D’Or co-created and performed a “peace cantata” called Halelu – Songs of David in Serbia. He was singing in Hebrew, English, Arabic, and Latin to spread a message of peace across cultures. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, D’Or toured extensively, often performing with orchestras. He held successful concerts in venues from Caesarea in Israel to the Forbidden City in Beijing. David even performed at the London 2012 Olympics cultural events and the Shanghai World Expo. By 2008, nine of his albums had achieved platinum status in Israel, and to date he has released over a dozen albums (with at least 15 albums reaching Gold or Platinum certification).

Awards and Honors

Over his career, David D’Or has received numerous awards and honors for his music and contributions. He is a three-time winner of Israel’s Singer of the Year and Best Vocal Performer awards. Many of his songs have become beloved standards. He has been recognized for bridging genres from classical to pop.

D’Or received honorary citizenship awards from Italy and South Korea for his cultural contributions. In 2009, the Italian government even knighted him with the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity. He got knighted for promoting goodwill through music. The singer was named “Masterpiece Man” by the global Lions Club organization in 2015 for his significant contributions to the world community. He also earned official certificates of honor from cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in recognition of his artistic and charitable impact.

Humanitarian Work and Cultural Impact

Outside of recording and performing, David D’Or has been active in humanitarian efforts and cultural initiatives. He often donates proceeds from his concerts to charitable causes, supporting victims of natural disasters, children’s hospitals, and programs for children with autism. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, D’Or wrote and contributed to a song called “Yesh Od Tikvah” (“Our Hope Endures”) with other Israeli artists, with all proceeds aiding terror victims. Through music, he frequently promotes messages of peace and unity. His Halelu peace cantata and the interfaith lyrics of “The Children of God” cantata are examples of cultural projects aimed at bringing people together.

David D’Or’s public roles have also highlighted his cultural impact. He has performed at national ceremonies, such as singing at an Israel Prize ceremony and at the state funeral of former President Shimon Peres (at Peres’s personal request). D’Or’s ability to move audiences with prayers and songs at significant events has made him a symbol of cross-cultural harmony. Additionally, beyond music, he has explored visual art: he published a book of his paintings and held exhibitions, showing his creative talents extend to painting as well.