Internationally Acclaimed Lyric Tenor
Anthony Kearns
Brief, but comprehensive biography for use in concert programs
Anthony Kearns, acknowledged as Ireland’s Finest Tenor, possesses an all-encompassing repertoire spanning Ireland to Broadway, Viennese romance to Italian Classics, French art songs to German leids, the inspirational to the spiritual, and from operetta’s light comedy to the sweeping drama of grand opera.
Through his skillful interpretation of vast and varied genres, he is becoming recognized as the heir-apparent to John Count McCormack and Mario Lanza, as he takes his place on world-wide stages. Considered the best interpreter of Irish music alive today, he is a respected ambassador of Ireland to the world and is honored to present the music of his homeland across the globe.
Thrust upon the scene at the first 1999 U.S. PBS broadcast of the 1998 taping of The Irish Tenors in Dublin, Anthony and the trio achieved instant stardom. As they began performing on the world’s most prestigious stages, The Irish Tenors became over-night world-wide sensations as Ireland’s most famous touring musicians, second only to U2. As the founding member, Anthony has toured with the trio three times annually for over a decade, with 10 CDs to their credit, always listed on Billboard’s Top Ten upon release, with three quickly going gold, platinum and double platinum.
Anthony is increasingly in demand as a solo performer world-wide. He performs concerts with a sole piano in the recital format, as guest soloist with some of the world’s finest symphony orchestras, and on opera stages. His spring 2012 tour ended on the stage of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston in the first joint effort between the JFK Library and UMass Boston: A celebration of Kennedy's Irish Roots.
Making his debut into the world August 17, 1971 in Kiltealy CO Wexford, Ireland, music was a part of his life from nearly that moment. From a very early age, he began mastering Irish music’s traditional instruments, and at the age of 10, he specialized in the beautiful, trilling Sean Nós (Old style - unaccompanied) singing of his homeland, competing in and winning various All-Ireland singing competitions into adulthood.
After winning a 1993 talent contest much like America’s or Britain’s Got Talent, he began studying classical music in earnest in Dublin, Wales, and to this day, in New York City. He has garnered several prizes as an adult including the Dermot Troy Trophy for oratorio in 1995 and 1996, the Best Male Singer at the 1995 Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, and the ESB Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition in 1999. The Anthony Kearns Prize for the Best Male Singer is now awarded at all Vernonica Dunne Singing Competitons.
Anthony has many operatic roles to his credit, including: Fenton in an Italian production of Falstaff; Rinuccio in Gianni Schicci, title role of Faust, Carmen’s Don Jose, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, all in Ireland; and Romeo in Romeo & Juliet: Then and Now, Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Faust for Opera Naples in Florida, and Alfred in Die Fledermaus in Colorado. Anthony completed a PBS Special in Prague called Halleluiah Broadway in February 2010, released to wide acclaim across the U.S.
Besides performing in his homeland and coast to coast in America’s Performing Arts Centers, churches and cathedrals, Anthony also lends his name and considerable talent to many charitable fund raising events annually. He recently performed at the prestigious Capitol Hill Club in Washington D.C. December 17, 2009 and sang for the National Moment of Remembrance in Washington D.C. for the U.S. Memorial Day celebration (2010). Fall 2010 marked the beginning of a collaboration between Kearns and The Wexford Institute for an international benefit tour with the focus of "Autisim and Childhood Trauma Awareness." At Christmas 2010, he was invited to perform for an inspiring event at The New Zealand Embassy which jointly benefited the USO Wounded Warriors and Thanks USA, a non-profit organization whose goal is to assist the families of our troops. He continues his work with and for Thanks USA and USO Wounded Warriors.
After singing a memorial for President John F. Kennedy in New Ross, CO Wexford, the president’s sister, Jean Kennedy Smith, complimented Anthony: “I’ve never heard a better Irish Tenor voice!”
Ireland’s foremost tenor, Anthony Kearns is a great ambassador for Ireland …
The Honorable Michael Collins, Ireland’s Ambassador to the U.S.
The British magazine, Opera Now, reviewed the Lismore production of
Don Giovanni in their October issue. It is quoted here:
....Anthony Kearns's beautifully spun Il Mio Tesoro was a
moment of still beauty in the turmoil.
Kearns is a superb singer; a confident, compelling performer … The Nashville Scene
Anthony’s voice is lovely from top range to bottom. He connects thoroughly
with both the music and the audience … The Palm Beach Post
Kearns created many truly sublime moments … The Boston Herald
It can be folly to talk of the great John McCormack having a modern successor. But if Anthony's recent tribute to the Count here at the National Concert Hall is any kind of a yardstick, then the mantle surely falls comfortably on the shoulders of
Anthony Kearns. …
Ryan Tubridy (Presenting the “Ireland's Finest” celebration
at Dublin's National Concert Hall, November 2006)
For more biographical and touring information about Anthony Kearns,
visit his offical website at ~ www.anthonykearns.net
