And the beats go on ...

Rafer Guzmán

This isn't your father's classical crossover: From disco beats to soul music to revamped new-wave gems, the genre is more diverse than ever. A sampling of current and upcoming releases:

Amici Forever, "The Opera Band" (Victor)

Purists, beware: "Amici Forever" may have some of the best voices in the crossover market, but their material is unorthodox. Aside from an Italian-language version of the soul classic "Unchained Melody," there's an update of Fauré's "Pavane" (with pop-style verses and a chorus) and a reworking of "Requiem for a Soldier" from the 2001 film "Band of Brothers," also with newly added lyrics.

Josh Groban, "Closer" (Reprise)

Groban's previous album was more classical than pop, but this one is the other way around. Producer and songwriter David Foster (thank him for "Man in Motion," from the 1985 teen flick "St. Elmo's Fire") is once again at the helm. Here, Groban glides through pieces such as "Mi Mancherai" (from the film "Il Postino") and "Never Let Go," a collaboration with the dance- trance duo Deep Forest.

Opera Babes, "Beyond Imagination" (Sony Classical)

Soprano Rebecca Knight and mezzo-soprano Karen England began as legitimate opera singers, then nabbed a record deal after they were heard busking outside London's Covent Garden opera house. The record label "wanted something operatic but very now," England says, which explains the thumping, rave-style version of The Flower Duet from Léo Debiles's "Lakmé."

Sissel, "My Heart" (Universal Classics)

When Enya was unavailable to sing on the 1997 "Titanic" soundtrack, Norwegian singer Sissel was hired instead. Thanks to Sissel's ethereal voice, Enya comparisons probably will continue with "My Heart." She tackles several classical pieces, most of them familiar: "O Mio Babbino Caro," for instance, already has been covered by Sarah Brightman and Charlotte Church. Sissel will perform April 23 at The Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St., Manhattan, 212-840-2824.

Hayley Westenra, "Pure" (Decca)

Scheduled for release Tuesday, this disc is already a hot seller in Westenra's homeland of New Zealand. The usual chestnuts are here ("Amazing Grace," Vivaldi's "River of Dreams") along with a few surprises, including "Benedictus" (from contemporary composer Karl Jenkins) and a cover of Kate Bush's 1978 new-wave ballad "Wuthering Heights."

 

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