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Edward Finbar Wright (born September 26, 1957), known popularly as Finbar Wright, is an Irish popular music singer, songwriter, poet.

Finbar Wright is a classically trained tenor who emerged during the 1990s in Ireland concentrating on romantic, jazz and pop standards for the adult contemporary audience. His first album, Because in 1991 reached the top of the Irish music charts. His subsequent recordings have received gold and/or platinum status.^{[citation needed]}

Wright is best known in the United States as one of the Irish Tenors, recording six albums and 5 PBS specials since 2000.

Early

Born in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland in 1957, Finbar Wright was the youngest of eight children. At age 6 he began studying piano with Ms. Maura Hourihane and singing professionally with one of his four brothers.

He was sent to Farranferris College, a preparatory school known for its Hurling tradition, at age 11 and at 16 went to Spain to study for the priesthood. He returned to Ireland to take a Bachelor of Divinity Degree at Maynooth College where he joined the choir and became senior cantor in charge of liturgical singing. At 21 he was the youngest man ever to be ordained into the priesthood which required special dispensation by the Pope, 1978.

Career

Chosen to be deacon at the Pope's Mass in Phoenix Park in Dublin in 1979 and read the Gospel to an audience of 1.25 million. Formal vocal studies began 5 years later as Wright attended the Cork School of Music where he studied singing with Robert Beare, theory of music with George Dunne and piano with Angel Climent.

Wright subsequently studied with Ernst Haefligger in Munich and soprano Ileana Cotrubas at Aldeburgh, England. He credits the greatest influence on his vocal technique and musical confidence has been that of Dr. Veronica Dunne in Dublin with whom he continues to study whenever possible.

In 1989 Finbar left the priesthood and began his public music career. He has hosted his own RTE 1991-1993 television series, "Music of the Night". Wright won the Irish Music Association's "Best Male Entertainer" 2 consecutive years, 1992-1993.

Soprano, Montserrat Caballé, invited Finbar to be special guest at her concert debut in Dublin in 1993 and he has appeared in public performance with such diverse personalities as Phil Coulter, Kiri Te Kanawa and Jerry Lee Lewis.

The first to be asked to join a new group called The Irish Tenors in 1998, Finbar had to decline due to contractual issues with Sony BMG Music but did step in a year later when John McDermott left the trio. He has recorded 6 albums with the Irish Tenors and 5 major PBS specials.

Wright is married with two children and lives in Ireland.

Discography

Solo recordings (1991 - Present)
Because 1991 Platinum Whatever You Believe 1992 Platinum A Tribute to John McCormack 1994 Gold Lift The Wings 1995 Platinum I Give My Heart 1997 Platinum Another Season 1999 Gold The Essential Finbar Wright 2006 Sony BMG Video Finbar Wright - 1991 Television Music of the Night Tribute to John McCormack Writings Private Friends - Poetry

The Irish Tenors (2000 - Present)
Live In Belfast The Irish Tenors 2000 Ellis Island The Irish Tenors 2001- Platinum Best of The Irish Tenors The Irish Tenors 2002 We Three Kings The Irish Tenors 2003 Heritage The Irish Tenors 2004 Sacred The Irish Tenors 2005 Video Live in Dublin - 1999 Live in Belfast - 2000 Ellis Island - 2001 Heritage - 2004 The Irish Tenors & Friends - 2006

Preceded by {{{before}}}	*Ireland Christmas Number One Single* Whatever You Believe 1992	Succeeded by {{{after}}}

References

External links

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 * [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20060604/ai_n16456372 Sunday Mirror 2006]
 * [http://cerritosink.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html Los Cerrito Community News 2006]
+* [http://www.irishmusicarchive.com/exhibits/HoH/IrishTenors.html Irish Music 2003]
 * [http://www.laphil.com/press/press_release/index.cfm?id=1109&ps=1 LA Philharmonic Press 2003]
 * [http://archives.tcm.ie/thekingdom/2003/12/26/story11824.asp The Kingdom 2003]