DIVO'S DIVAS.(The Talk of the Town)(Il Divo, musical group)

Groupies are traditionally on the vulnerable end of the exchange between their crushes and themselves: naifs with ponytails and jelly knees, passing phone numbers and flashing breasts, at the mercy of their chosen idol. The followers of the two-year-old quartet Il Divo, however, are a sturdier breed. According to the group's record label, "Il Divo is a new vocal concept featuring four internationally renowned young male singers who apply operatic technique and virtuosity to the interpretation of romantic songs from the popular repertoire." In other words, Il Divo is a Swiss guy (Urs Buhler, tenor, sophisticate), an American guy (David Miller, tenor, boy next door), a Spanish guy (Carlos Marin, baritone, beefcake), and a French guy (Sebastien Izambard, vox populi, dreamboat), who stimulate both the heart rates of middle-aged women and the formidable logistical skills that come with years of carpool duty. Armed with Filofaxes and frequent-flier miles, Il Divo's devotees might be called a new concept in fandom.

"Di-vaaas!" Terri Gautreaux called to a cluster of women standing in front of a vacant stage on the second floor of the Time Warner Center last Wednesday. She threw her arms around one of the ladies--Divo's Divas, as they call themselves. (They got to know each other through an online Il Divo forum.) "I'm Terri," she said. Gautreaux, who had come from Texas by way of Newark airport, has been following the group since April, when she saw them on "Oprah." "I heard them at Henley in July--they were beautiful there," she said, like a Deadhead describing a space jam. She tossed aside her white fun-fur coat and revealed several silver charm bracelets. "I made this one for David's mother," she said. "And here's the Eiffel Tower, for Sebastien's."

Il Divo was to give a short performance, followed by an autograph signing. The Divas had arrived four and a half hours early, intent on staking out front-row seats. Last November, by doing just that at a Bloomingdale's appearance (the fans' first live meeting, to which they wore red scarves, as identification), they'd caught a bonus sound check, plus some excellent glimpses of Urs's pecs.

"I'm an Uber Babe," Cathy Champagne, a mother of three, in for the day from Atlanta, said. (This is the sub-affiliation claimed by disciples of Urs.) "We have different groups: Sebastien Sirens, David's Divas, Carlos's Cuties." Barbara Wallack, from Long ...