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In 2001, the Irish Tenors filmed a historic PBS special<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2001_Feb_27/ai_70908410?tag=content;col1 Entertainment wire: Business Wire 2001]</ref> at [[New York]]'s [[Ellis Island]]<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-75665375.html Encyclopedia.com] Boston Herald 2001-06-20, "Irish Tenors' "Ellis Island"...</ref>, hosted by Irish/American actor [[Martin Sheen]]. Their album "Ellis Island" topped [[Billboard]]'s Heatseeker<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=804717 Billboard Magazine] 2001-03-22, para.12</ref> list and landed on its "Top 10 Best of 2001". In 2007 the South Carolina Legislature issued a "Proclamation"<ref>[http://www.schouse.org/sess117_2007-2008/prever/3654_20070307.htm South Carolina Legislature] 117th Session, 2007-03-13, Bill 3654</ref> welcoming the trio to that State at their performance in Charleston.
In 2001, the Irish Tenors filmed a historic PBS special<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2001_Feb_27/ai_70908410?tag=content;col1 Entertainment wire: Business Wire 2001]</ref> at [[New York]]'s [[Ellis Island]]<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-75665375.html Encyclopedia.com] Boston Herald 2001-06-20, ''Irish Tenors' Ellis Island''...</ref>, hosted by Irish/American actor [[Martin Sheen]]. Their album ''Ellis Island'' topped [[Billboard]]'s Heatseeker<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=804717 Billboard Magazine] 2001-03-22, para.12</ref> list and landed on its "Top 10 Best of 2001". In 2007 the South Carolina Legislature issued a "Proclamation"<ref>[http://www.schouse.org/sess117_2007-2008/prever/3654_20070307.htm South Carolina Legislature] 117th Session, 2007-03-13, Bill 3654</ref> welcoming the trio to that State at their performance in Charleston.


In 2003, The Irish Tenors participated in the prestigious [[UNICEF]] ''Snowflake Lighting'' celebrations to kick off the festive season in New York last month, sharing the stage with the [[Mayor of New York]], Michael R Bloomberg, and movie star [[Liv Tyler]], who hosted the event.<ref>[http://archives.tcm.ie/thekingdom/2003/12/26/story11824.asp The Kingdom|2003-12-26]"Great Value for Three Tenors" para.6</ref>
In 2003, The Irish Tenors participated in the prestigious [[UNICEF]] ''Snowflake Lighting'' celebrations to kick off the festive season in New York last month, sharing the stage with the [[Mayor of New York]], Michael R Bloomberg, and movie star [[Liv Tyler]], who hosted the event.<ref>[http://archives.tcm.ie/thekingdom/2003/12/26/story11824.asp The Kingdom|2003-12-26]"Great Value for Three Tenors" para.6</ref>

Revision as of 21:17, 21 July 2008

Finbar Wright

Edward Finbar Wright (born September 26, 1957), known popularly as Finbar Wright[1], is an Irish popular music singer, songwriter, poet.

Finbar Wright is a classically trained tenor [2] who emerged during the 1990s in Ireland and has become one of that country's "most popular singers"[3], concentrating on romantic, jazz and pop standards for the adult contemporary audience. Referred to as one of Ireland's great romantic singers[4][5][6], his first album, Because in 1991 reached the top of the Irish music charts. His subsequent recordings have received gold and/or platinum status [7].


Outside of Europe, Wright is best known as one of the Irish Tenors from their PBS specials and recordings.


Early

Born in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland in September of 1957, Finbar Wright was the youngest of eight children raised in a Catholic farming household. Finbar's paternal grandfather was a Presbyterian living in County Monaghan where he met his future bride, a Catholic from County Cork. The couple married and moved to Cork to begin a family[8].


At age 6 young Finbar began studying piano with Ms. Maura Hourihane and singing on local stages with one of his four brothers. At age 11 Finbar was sent to Farranferris College, a Diocesan preparatory school known for its Hurling tradition, 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, in County Kildare, where he joined the choir and became senior cantor in charge of liturgical singing. In 1978 Wright, at age 21, was the youngest man ever to be ordained into the priesthood, a distinction which required special dispensation by the Pope.


Upon the occasion of Pope John Paul II 's 1979 visit to Ireland, Wright was appointed deacon[9] for the historic Papal Mass in Phoenix Park in Dublin. He read the Gospel to a gathering of 1.25 million people, at that time roughly one-third of the population of Ireland.


As a priest, Fr. Finbar returned to Farranferris College to teach Spanish and Latin[10].

Career

In a run that has seen him sing in Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, Wright began his formal training, at age 27, and professional music career rather late, at age 32. Finbar had been involved in music since his early childhood as well as in the priesthood so when he decided to leave, he felt there was only one career path to follow. "Even when I went back to Farranferris as a teacher, I stayed interested in singing..."[11]


Formal vocal studies began in 1984 as Wright attended the Cork School of Music, now part of the Cork Institute of Technology. There he studied music theory with George Dunne, singing with Robert Beare and piano with Angel Climent. Wright subsequently studied with Ernst Haefligger in Munich, Germany and the Romanian soprano Ileana Cotrubas at Aldeburgh, England. He was chosen to study with Dr. Veronica Dunne, regarded as Ireland's preeminent vocal teacher, and credits her as the greatest influence on his vocal technique and musical confidence.


In 1987 Finbar made his television singing debut on RTE's "Late Late Show", hosted by Gay Byrne.

Also in 1987, following the deaths of his eldest brother and his father, Finbar made the decision to leave the priesthood[12]; in 1989 Finbar returned to civilian life.

In 1989, Wright was chosen as Ireland's representative to the BBC Cardiff competition and won the "Singer of the World"[13] honour.

In 1990 Wright began his professional music career in earnest. Finbar, together with actress/singer Angeline Ball, co-hosted the television series, "Music of the Night" for RTE from 1991-1993 and appeared in his own video for PBS, "Finbar Wright" in 1991. His first album, Because, in 1991, was produced by Phil Coulter and reached the top of the Irish music charts and platinum status. Finbar's second album, "Whatever You Believe" went triple platinum in Ireland and made the Mike Batt title song "Whatever You Believe" a Christmas classic in that country. All of Finbar Wright's recordings have reached gold and/or platinum status.

He was nominated for and won the Irish Recorded Music Association's "Male Entertainer of the Year" 2 consecutive years, 1992-1993. Spanish soprano, Montserrat Caballé, invited Finbar to be special guest at her concert in Dublin in 1993 after hearing him sing a Spanish song on one of his albums. Wright has appeared in public performance with such diverse personalities as Phil Coulter, Kiri Te Kanawa, Jerry Lee Lewis and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.


In 1995 Finbar performed at the State Dinner [14] in honour of U.S. President Bill Clinton at Dublin Castle. In 2007, at The National Concert Hall in Dublin, on the occasion of Wright's 50th birthday he was presented with a book of well wishes from most-notably former President Bill and Hilary Clinton, Daniel O'Donnell and Phil Coulter among others[15].


Finbar has guested on many of Ireland's national television programs including recent appearances on RTE's The Late Late Show, TV3's Ireland AM, RTE's The Afternoon Show and the comedy hit Podge and Rodge[16]. Finbar, with the Irish Tenors, has guested on all the major network morning shows in the United States, NBC's Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America, CBS' the Early Show as well as Live with Regis and Kelly and several appearances on the shopping network QVC.


Wright's musical influences are eclectic as he lists such notables as Count John McCormack, Mario Lanza, Ray Charles, Willie Nelson[17] and Freddie Mercury and Queen. Like his recordings, Finbar's taste in music is as equally wide-ranging, including popular, country, rock, traditional Irish and sacred as well as light classical.


Finbar Wright in the Irish Tenors‎

The first to be asked by producer Bill Hughes to join a new group called The Irish Tenors in 1998, Wright had to decline under the terms of his contract with Sony BMG Music. In 2000, having left Sony, Finbar was asked to step in at the last minute to replace John McDermott, who decided to leave the group, for the "Live from Belfast" PBS special. Since that time Finbar has recorded six albums and 5 PBS specials with the Irish Tenors.[18]


In 2001, the Irish Tenors filmed a historic PBS special[19] at New York's Ellis Island[20], hosted by Irish/American actor Martin Sheen. Their album Ellis Island topped Billboard's Heatseeker[21] list and landed on its "Top 10 Best of 2001". In 2007 the South Carolina Legislature issued a "Proclamation"[22] welcoming the trio to that State at their performance in Charleston.

In 2003, The Irish Tenors participated in the prestigious UNICEF Snowflake Lighting celebrations to kick off the festive season in New York last month, sharing the stage with the Mayor of New York, Michael R Bloomberg, and movie star Liv Tyler, who hosted the event.[23]

Wright and Irish Tenors' mate Anthony Kearns were asked by ABC's Good Morning America to sing the hymn "Amazing Grace" for their coverage of the funeral of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

In 2006, Finbar and the Irish Tenors hosted the 9 part Summer variety series for RTE produced by Bill Hughes' Mind the Gap productions, The Irish Tenors & Friends. "Friends" included Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Finbar Furey, Hayley Westenra, Sharon Shannon, Rebecca Storm and Shane Ward, among others [24].

Personal Life

Wright met a young lady, Angela Desmond, while attending classes at the Cork School of Music in 1984[25]. A year after leaving the priesthood, Finbar happened to meet her again and the romance resulted in marriage in 1990. "By the time I left the priesthood I hadn't seen her for a few years. Then in 1988 I met her by chance and we met every day for a month and we haven't been apart since."

The Wrights prefer to live and raise their two children, a son and a daughter, away from the music glamour capitals and bright lights. The family resides in County Cork Ireland. "If you are to have any kind of a fruitful life, it isn't wealth and success that matter - happiness is the important thing." [26]


Discography

Finbar Wright

Title Year Label Notes
Because 1991 Sony BMG Platinum
Whatever You Believe 1992 Sony BMG Platinum x3
A Tribute to John McCormack 1994 Sony BMG Gold
Lift The Wings 1995 Sony BMG Platinum
I Give My Heart 1997 Sony BMG Platinum
Another Season 1999 Ritz Gold
The Essential Finbar Wright 2006 Sony BMG Gold

The Irish Tenors

Title Year Notes
Live In Belfast 2000 PBS television
Ellis Island 2001 PBS television
Best of The Irish Tenors 2002 Compilation 1999-2001
We Three Kings 2003 Christmas
Heritage 2004 with the Chicagoland Orchestra
Sacred 2005 Recorded in Prague

Television

Title Network Broadcast Date Location Notes
Finbar Wright in Concert PBS 1991 Belfast Opera House, Belfast, NI
Music of the Night RTE 1992/1993 RTE Studios, Dublin, Ireland Co-hosted with Angeline Ball
Tribute to John McCormack RTE 1994 National Concert Hall Dublin
Live in Belfast PBS 2000 Belfast Opera House, Belfast, NI with the Irish Tenors
Ellis Island PBS 2001 Ellis Island, NY, USA with the Irish Tenors
Heritage PBS 2004 Rosemont Theater, Chicago, IL, USA with the Irish Tenors
The irish Tenors & Friends RTE 2006 Ardmore Studios, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Ireland with the Irish Tenors

Writing

Title Publisher Date Genre
Private Friends Barleyfield Press 2001 Poetry



Preceded by
{{{before}}}
 Ireland Christmas Number One Single

Whatever You Believe

1992

Succeeded by
{{{after}}}

Awards

  • Feis Ceiol Singing Competition, winner x 4[27]
  • BBC Cardiff "Singer of the World" winner 1989[28]
  • "Male Entertainer of the Year" 1992 Irish Recorded Music Association
  • "Male Entertainer of the Year" 1993 Irish Recorded Music Association

References


  1. ^ FAMSPA Section #W, #50
  2. ^ The Emigrant 1991|The Arts|3rd paragraph
  3. ^ Sunday Mirror 1999-11-07|Maeve Quigley"Velvet Voiced Finbar Still Hitting the Wright Notes", pg.1, para.1
  4. ^ The Irish Tenors Official Website|About-Us|Finbar Wright
  5. ^ LA Phil. Press Finbar Wright
  6. ^ Ulster herald para.7
  7. ^ Irish Tenors: "La Philharmonic Press"Press Release|2003|Finbar Wright
  8. ^ Staff, Writer (2006-04-16). "My Perfect Weekend". The Irish Independent. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Purdue University Press 2006"The Irish Tenors", Finbar Wright Biography, para.1
  10. ^ Sunday Mirror 1999-11-07|Maeve Quigley"Velvet Voiced Finbar Still Hitting Wright Notes", pg.2 para.5
  11. ^ Sunday Mirror 1999-11-07|Maeve Quigley"Velvet Voiced Finbar Still Hitting Wright Notes", pg.2 para.16
  12. ^ Sunday Mirror 1999-11-07|Maeve Quigley"Velvet Voiced Finbar Still Hitting Wright Notes", pg.2 para.8
  13. ^ BBC Cardiff Winners Section F, 1989
  14. ^ The Ulster Herald 2008-04-10Entertainment: "Finbar Wright in Fine Fettle", para.8
  15. ^ International Fan Club 50th Birthday Party
  16. ^ IMDb Podge and Rodge Show|Episode1.20
  17. ^ The Irish Times|Fiona Gartland, 2008-06-21"My Holidays", para.6
  18. ^ Encyclopedia.comWashington Post 2000-03-11, "Wright Choice"
  19. ^ Entertainment wire: Business Wire 2001
  20. ^ Encyclopedia.com Boston Herald 2001-06-20, Irish Tenors' Ellis Island...
  21. ^ Billboard Magazine 2001-03-22, para.12
  22. ^ South Carolina Legislature 117th Session, 2007-03-13, Bill 3654
  23. ^ The Kingdom|2003-12-26"Great Value for Three Tenors" para.6
  24. ^ Irish Film & Television Network
  25. ^ Sunday Mirror|Linda Duff, 2006-06-04Finbar Wright, pg.1
  26. ^ Sunday Mirror 1999 pg.2, para.11
  27. ^ Sligo Champion 2008-04-02"Finbar Wright at the Hawk's Well", para.1
  28. ^ BBC Cardiff Winners

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Finbar_Wright&oldid=227075553"