ian irish american news
September 20, 2011
IAHC Hosts Anthony Kearns 10-15
Anthony Kearns, founding member of The Irish Tenors,
to sing at the Irish American Heritage Center on October 15.
Anthony Kearns returns to Chicago to sing a benefit concert for Autism Awareness and Education October 15; the concert is presented by The Wexford Institute in conjunction with The Irish American Heritage Center. Anthony has joined The Wexford Institute in an on-going series of concerts inserted into his regularly scheduled spring and fall solo tours. Plans are underway to take the Wexford Tour to Ireland and beyond.
As a result of the first four Wexford concerts presented last fall, The Wexford Institute has put autism curriculum and resources on-line free of charge in two languages. Those resources have now been accessed by educators all over the U.S. as well as in 11 other countries, including Ireland.
This partnership is founded in the roots of Ireland. Anthony hails from CO Wexford in Ireland, the Kennedy clan’s roots are firmly in CO Wexford, and the Institute took their name from that County.
Because of these coincidences, Anthony and the Institute began a successful collaboration which also celebrates the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s presidency during this series of concerts, referred to as “The Wexford Tour.”
Anthony and The Wexford Institute plan to continue presenting these concerts promoting autism awareness and education at least into 2012, resulting in even more helpful autism resources being created and provided to educators and families affected by autism, as well as programs focusing upon victims of childhood trauma.
Anthony spends considerable time and energy singing for worthy causes world-wide each year. Because Kearns feels blessed to have a successful international career, giving back is a strong focus. He has performed for many charities, and patriotic organizations such as Thanks USA, Since You Went Away, USO Wounded Warriors - Operation Enduring Care, and Mooremart – all dedicated to our troops and their families. Paying tribute to the fallen and the brave of our country, Anthony was invited to sing in Washington D.C. during the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day, 2010; he sang at the Kennedy Center that same day. Feeling a close connection to the United States, Kearns has performed many masses and memorials for 9/11 during the past decade.
Among the countless charity concerts Anthony performs, The Rockefeller Cancer Foundation, Children’s Friend, Cradle of Hope, and various other schools, humanitarian organizations, and music education have benefited from his appearances down through the years. In addition to these, Anthony has assisted many Catholic and other church causes in the U.S., Canada, and his home country of Ireland.
Kearns has been referred to by Michael Collins, Ireland’s Ambassador to the United States, as “Ireland’s foremost tenor and a great ambassador for Ireland.” “I have never heard a better Irish Tenor voice,” observed Jean Kennedy Smith at a memorial in CO Wexford for her brother, the late President John F. Kennedy, at which Anthony performed.
Anthony’s professional career was enhanced in 1998 when The Irish Tenors was created by Irish producer Bill Hughes in conjunction with PBS. Their first concert, filmed in Dublin, was release via PBS in 1999, launching The Irish Tenors on the world, rocketing them to instant stardom and their CDs to the top of the charts. They have since filmed three other highly successful PBS specials, all resulting in CDs awarded Gold, Platinum, and double Platinum status. Their collaboration with PBS was one of the most lucrative partnerships in the history of public broadcast presentations.
The Irish Tenors have toured world-wide for over a decade and performed with the finest orchestras in the world at some of the most prestigious venues around the globe. The Irish Tenors are one of Ireland’s most successful touring groups second only to U-2.
Besides touring with The Irish Tenors, Anthony has appeared on countless international concert and opera stages for the past several years. His most recent opera roles have included the title role of Faust in both Ireland and the U.S., and lead tenor in such productions as Lucia di Lammermoor [U.S.], Don Giovanni [Ireland], Romeo & Juliet: Then and Now [U.S.] Carmen [Ireland], and Die Fledermaus [U.S.]; all have produced stunning reviews.
Anthony was also included in another Bill Hughes/PBS production, filmed in Prague in 2010, titled Hallelujah Broadway. This concert performance stars Kearns along with Chicago residents Alfreda Burke and Rodrick Dixon. Hallelujah Broadway was released via PBS stations across the U.S. a year ago, and on September 17, was presented in live concert here in Chicago.
For more information about Anthony Kearns and access his touring schedule, visit his website.
To read more about the work of The Wexford Institute, you are invited to access their website.
