Boyd gives one last performance on 'America's Got Talent' before finale

For his final performance on "America's Got Talent" before the show's winner is announced next week, Neal E. Boyd chose to go back to the beginning.

In a surprising turn, the Sikeston, Mo., native chose to flex his vocal muscle by returning to his specialty, opera, with a performance of Puccini's "Nessun Dorma." The aria was one of the signature songs of the late Luciano Pavarotti, one of Boyd's primary influences.

Boyd performed as one of five finalists on the NBC talent competition Wednesday night in a show abbreviated by President Bush's speech on the economic bailout package.

The choice to return to opera this week may have been prompted by the Sikeston tenor's performance last week, when he took on the pop ballad "All By Myself," and the show's judges said the performance had many weaknesses.

This week, the show's three judges had already declared the first act to perform the likely winner — Nuttin But Stringz, a violin duo comprised of brothers who mix classical, rock and hip hop into their performance. Judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and David Hasselhoff each had similar words for Boyd, telling the tenor that no matter if he wins or not, his presence has helped make the show.

"You are what this show is about, man," Hasselhoff said.

After Boyd's performance the cameras cut to a shot of his mother in the audience. After the judges' comments, tears rolled down Boyd's cheek.

Boyd's first performance provided the climax for the season premier in June. He'll find out next week if he won the competition, based on audience voting.

The winner receives a $1 million prize and a chance at a Las Vegas headlining gig. The "America's Got Talent" season finale airs at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

To watch Boyd's latest performance, visit semissourian.com/boyd.