When the four members of Il Divo were touring with Barbra Streisand in 2006, the megastar believed so strongly that the group needed to be heard that instead of having them merely open up her show, she had them perform in the middle of her show, during her intermission.

It was something Liberace had once done for her, Il Divo singer David Miller said Streisand told him, and it increased her popularity around the world, making her into an icon.

If you haven't caught on to Streisand's proteges yet, what you need to know is that this international quartet of singers blend opera and pop. Il Divo's tall-dark-and-handsome good looks, gelled hair and custom-tailored Armani suits have led them to become something of mini-musical icons themselves, what wags have termed the "Jonas Brothers for moms."

Set aside that Streisand plug and even their musical abilities, as even the group's creation story speaks to marketing prowess: Il Divo was created in 2004 by "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, who sensed that classically trained singers from the opera world would do well when covering orchestrated pop songs.

"I didn't know who [Cowell] was," said Sebastien Izambard, a French singer who is part of Il Divo. "I know Simon in a completely different way than he is on TV. He is shy with us."

Once Izambard was selected, Cowell auditioned a Spanish baritone, Carlos Marín, and a Swiss tenor, Urs Bühler, and invited them to join the group. The final singer recruited was Miller, a San Diego native who had found great success in the opera world over a 20-year career.

"I didn't know what [Il Divo] was going to be," Miller said. "I was having a career where I did the same thing over and over, and 'La Boheme' and 'La Traviata' so many times." He was intrigued by Cowell's idea, as he had reached the point where he had already accomplished nearly everything possible for a young opera singer.

As usual, Cowell's instincts hit the sweet spot for music lovers. When the four sang to him for the first time, Miller said, Cowell claimed he was bowled over. "He said he felt shivers when he heard us sing 'Unbreak My Heart,'" Miller said, referring to a pop song originally sung by Toni Braxton. "He just knew there was something visceral, a tidal wave [of emotion]."

The group's 2004 self-titled debut album became an instant success, reaching No. 1 in the charts in 13 countries around the world, in addition to achieving top 5 placing in 25 countries, including the United States. Successive albums "Ancora," "The Christmas Collection," "Siempre" and 2008's "The Promise," have all topped the charts world-wide.

"The Promise," in particular, has seemed to appeal to casual pop fans who fear opera. The album, and tour, features the group taking on songs such as Leonard Cohen's "Hallejuah," Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "The Power of Love," ABBA's "The Winner Takes It All" and "Amazing Grace."

That is, you will hear those songs in the arena -- if you can hear them amid the screams and squeals from my mom.