IDK Bill. I saw Pritchard back in 2009 too, along with Susan Boyle, and Diversity and such, and simply loved his audacity. However, in this present case, De Leon seems so much more powerful in his delivery. I suppose I'm biased - truthfully. I've searched myself to try and discover why I'm so drawn to DeLeon's performance.
Puccini's wonderful arias always featured the laments and sadness of a woman who'd lost, squandered, or got screwed outta the love of her man.
Lord only knows if de Leon is gay or not. His FB page features a LOT of Lady Gaga, but no matter.
When I saw de Leon sing of this loss from Puccini's opera "Gianni Schicchi" the aria "Mio Babbino Caro", I felt a kindred spirit so-to speak - it touched me.
I can't really tell - some of his performance sounds 'falsetto', but then other parts sound almost "castrati", with the power.
Color me "confused", but happy that Andrew did well, and the folks didn't cringe when a MAN sung a traditionally female part.
Steve