Anthony Kearns

Anthony Kearns, Ireland’s Finest Tenor, is a master of so many genres it is impossible and unwise to attempt to categorize him. His all-encompassing, dynamic repertoire spans Ireland to Broadway, Viennese romance to Italian Classics, French arts songs to German leids, the inspirational to the spiritual, and from operetta’s light comedy to the sweeping drama of high opera. He passionately interprets the full range of tenor arias flawlessly and presents Broadway’s finest hits impressively. The best interpreter of Irish music alive today, he is a respected ambassador of Ireland to the world. Considering it an honor to present the music of his homeland across the globe, Anthony seems to live the role of Ireland’s Last Troubadour. 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 worldwide stages. Thrust upon the scene at the first 1999 U.S. PBS broadcast 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 overnight worldwide 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. Their first U.S. concert was held in 1999 at Madison Square Garden -- before an audience of 17,000 strong. They are still amazingly popular with ten CDs to their credit, always listed on Billboards Top Ten upon release, with their newest being "Christmas" (2009) and "Ireland" (2010). Anthony is increasingly in demand as a solo performer. Each year, he’s an aggressively sought-after performer on Ireland’s concert and opera stages, and tours America at least twice annually. Singing French, Spanish, Italian, and German as flawlessly as English, he performs his solo concerts with a sole piano in the recital format, or as guest soloist with some of the world’s finest symphony orchestras. 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 many of Irish music’s traditional instruments from "spoons" to the double row black dot accordion. 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. Anthony was pleased to sing Fenton in an Italian production of "Falstaff." In Ireland he has sung many operatic roles including: Rinuccio in "Gianni Schicci," lead tenor in "Faust," and Don Jose in "Carmen" (June 2010). Anthony sings Romeo in "Romeo & Juliet: Then and Now" for Opera Naples (FL) in February 2010. February 2010 also finds Anthony in Prague taping a PBS Special called Halleluiah Broadway alongside three other brilliant Broadway and Opera performers: Linda Eder, Rodrick Dixon, and Alfreda Burke. Besides performing 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, such as his most recent at the prestigious Capitol Hill Club in Washington D.C. December 17, 2009 and the inaugration of Virginia's Governor-elect Bob McDonnell, grandson of Irish immigrants, proceeds of which went to the Salvation Army. Here's what critics and colleagues have to say about Anthony Kearns: After singing a memorial for President John F Kennedy in New Ross, CO Wexford, the late President’s sister, Jean Kennedy Smith, complimented Anthony: “I’ve never heard a better Irish Tenor voice!” "Anthony Kearns, Ireland's foremost tenor, is a great ambassador for Ireland." - The Honorable Michael Collins, Ireland's Ambassador to the United States "Anthony Kearns is one of the best singers I’ve heard in my life." - John McDermott (one of the original Irish Tenors) "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 "Anthony has incredible vocal technique. His high notes are thrilling and virle. He is a joy to work with." - Steffanie Pearce, General and Artistic Director, Naples [FL] Opera Company "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, than the mantle surely falls comfortably on the shoulders of Anthony Kearns." - Ryan Tubridy Presenting Ireland's Finest at Dublin's National Concert Hall, November 2006 Welcome to the official Facebook page of Anthony Kearns, Ireland's Finest Tenor. Visit his official website, too, at http://anthonykearnstenor.com/