Finbar Wright
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| Finbar Wright | |
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 Finbar Wright, 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Finbar Wright |
| Born | September 26, 1957 |
| Origin | Kinsale, Ireland |
| Genre(s) | Pop, Jazz, Spanish |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, musician, poet |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Label(s) | Sony |
| Associated acts | The Irish Tenors |
| Website | Fnbar Wright.com |
Edward Finbar Wright (born September 26, 1957), known popularly as Finbar Wright, is an Irish popular music singer.
Known as Ireland's great romantic singer[citation needed], 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. He began his career with a chart-topping album, Because and an RTE television series, Music of The Night, and all of his recordings have received gold and platinum status over the past 15 years.[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.
Contents |
[edit] Career
He was the youngest of eight children. He began studying piano, at that early age, with Ms. Maura Hourihane. "There was always music in our house." At age 6 began singing professionally with one of his four brothers.
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.[citation needed]
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. Finbar began formal vocal studies began 5 years later and attended the Cork School of Music where he studied singing with Robert Beare, theory of music with George Dunne and piano with Angel Climent.
Winning all the major singing awards at Feis Ceoil[citation needed], Dublin, Finbar subsequently studied with Ernst Haefligger in Munich and internationally acclaimed soprano Ileana Cotrubas at Aldeburgh, England. However, the greatest influence on his vocal technique and musical confidence has been that of Dr. Veronica Dunne[citation needed] 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 highly rated[citation needed] television series, "Music of the Night", for RTÉ and undertaken major concert tours of Canada, USA and Australia. Wright won Ireland's "Best Male Entertainer" 2 consecutive years[citation needed]
The legendary soprano, Montserrat Caballé, personally invited Finbar to be her special guest when she made 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 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 lives with his wife and their two children in Ireland.
[edit] Philosophy
"I live my life according to the words of John the Evangelist, 'Love God and thy neighbor.'" do you?
[edit] Discography
- 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
- Live In Belfast The Irish Tenors 2000
- Ellis Island The Irish Tenors 2001- Ireland 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
| Preceded by {{{before}}} |
Ireland Christmas Number One Single
Whatever You Believe 1992 |
Succeeded by {{{after}}} |
