By editor - 10 April, 2016
Celebrated Italian tenor, Friar Alessandro, best known as the Singing Friar from Assisi, has been confirmed for two Irish dates in April 2016 in Athlone and Killarney.
All profits from the Irish concerts will go directly to the Franciscan Mission in Zimbabwe.
Friar Alessandro shot to fame in 2012 on the release of his debut album Voice of Assisi.
The album went to number one in the UK Classical Charts and was nominated in the Best Album of the Year Award in the Classic Brit Award 2013.
His second album, Joy to the World, was released in 2013, followed by his third album Voice of Peace in 2015. He is also the first religious brother to land an exclusive record contract with a major record label Universal Music.
In his visits during 2014 and 2015, Friar Alessandro appeared on RTE’s Saturday Night Show twice and performed to thousands of fans in sell-out concerts in Dublin, Cork and Galway. Those Irish concerts raised €13,000 for the Franciscan Mission in Zimbabwe.
The 34-year-old, a dedicated Franciscan Friar, is signed to Decca Records, part of the Universal Music Group.
In keeping with the vow of poverty made by Friar Alessandro, all proceeds from his singing career go straight back to the Franciscan Order’s charitable works.
Friar Alessandro’s first Irish performance takes place in Athlone on 15 April 2016 at 8pm in St Anthony Church, Friary Lane, Athlone, Co Westmeath. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.ie, at the door or can be purchased in advance from the Friary Offices. Ticket Prices are €10.
Killarney welcomes Friar Alessandro to Killarney Cathedral on 17 April 2016 at 8pm. Tickets are available at the door, on Eventbrite.ie or can be purchased in advance from Killarney Cathedral. Ticket Prices are €10.
Franciscan Brother, Pat Lynch OFM, is the co-ordinator of Friar Alessandro’s Irish dates.
“We are really pleased to welcome Friar Alessandro back to Ireland. As well as being an extraordinarily talented and successful singer, Friar Alessandro is a dedicated member of the Franciscan Order. He is in charge of music in one of the main basilicas in Assisi, so he doesn’t travel to do concerts very often,” Bro Pat said.
The supporting musicians at Friar Alessandro’s concert will be Marina Cassidy, harpist and singer, accompanied by organist Declan Walsh.
Marina is originally from Co Meath who lives in Killarney. In 2011, Marina was made a Fellow of the Guild of Musicians and singers in the UK.
Further information on Friar Alessandro and links to performances are available at: www.friaralessandro.com.
Friar Alessandro was born in Perugia, Italy in 1978. Further details of his incredible life story are available on his website at http://friaralessandro.com/about His manager is an Italian based Irish Franciscan Brother, Friar Eunan McMullan OFM.
Followers of St Francis of Assisi, Franciscans are not dedicated to any specific tasks and can do virtually any work as long as it is in keeping with the Christian Gospel. What distinguishes them is their spirituality, or the combination of ideals, attitudes, practices and devotions that characterise a life of prayer, brotherhood and service. Their aim is to live the Gospel of Jesus according to the manner of St Francis.
The Irish Franciscan Province (OFM) was established in 1230. Irish Friars strive to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, following the example of Francis of Assisi, ministering to God’s people throughout Ireland and in many other lands.
Today the Province numbers around 120 friars who witness to Christ within the Church and society as priests and brothers in a wide variety of ways. They devote our lives to the search for God in a fraternity of prayer, simplicity, and service to others.
The OFM Franciscans have around 17,000 members worldwide, divided up into about 110 units, or provinces which, in turn, are grouped into fifteen Conferences. This central leadership of the Order is based in Rome, and comprises a Minister General, Vicar General, and seven Definitors General.
Further details on Irish Franciscans and the Franciscan way of life is available at franciscans.ie
