Anthony Kearns

Anthony Kearns
Kearns performing in June 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Anthony Joseph Kearns
Born	August 17, 1971 (1971-08-17)
Origin	Kiltealy, County Wexford, Ireland
Genres	Opera, Irish, Classical
Occupations	Singer, performer
Associated acts	The Irish Tenors, Ronan Tynan, Finbar Wright, John McDermott

Anthony Kearns (born 17 August 1971, Kiltealy, County Wexford, Ireland) is a founding member of the Irish Tenors, along with Ronan Tynan and John McDermott.

Early career

Anthony Kearns is one of six children in a musical family; as a result, his interest in music came at a very early age. He began singing traditional Irish songs with his family, and is a self-taught musician, learning the button accordion and various other instruments common in Trad music. He attended F.C.J. Secondary School Bunclody, singing at their masses and school shows. After leaving school, Anthony studied catering and hotel management, while singing in local musical productions.

Anthony achieved success at the age of 22 in 1993 after entering a national radio competition "Ireland's Search for a Tenor" on the Gay Byrne program. This was run to celebrate the issuing of a new ten pound note (called a "tenner.") The only competitor not to have had formal training, he won the event, singing The Impossible Dream and Danny Boy on a city street in Dublin. One of his prizes was an appearance on Gay Byrne's Late Late Show on TV. After winning the competition, he began training with the renowned Irish opera singer and vocal coach, Veronica Dunne, who had been a judge on the show. Kearns then relinquished his various day jobs to pursue a full-time career in music. The prize for Best Male Singer during all Veronica Dunne International Singing Competitions [1] is now presented in Anthony’s name.

Anthony's career took a leap in 1998 when Irish Producer Bill Hughes and PBS joined forces to begin The Irish Tenors.[2] His exceptional collaborative work with the Irish Tenors has netted Gold, Platinum, and Double Platinum CD recognition.

Anthony teamed up with Bill Hughes again for a PBS project called Hallelujah Broadway, filmed in Prague in February 2010.[3] Hallelujah Broadway has since been seen in Ireland and the U.S. Hallelujah Broadway concerts have been presented in various cities in the U.S. as well.

Professional Recognition

As a youth, Anthony entered and won countless "All Ireland" singing competitions such as Ceol an Geimhridh, Feis Ceoils, Readoiri, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, placing and winning often.

While studying with Dr. Dunne, Kearns continued competing in and winning talent competitions, twice winning the prestigious Dermot Troy Trophy for oratorio, as well as Best Male Singer at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, and Best Irish Singer at the 1999 ESB Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition.

Anthony was recognized in 2010 by the Irish Music Association as the Best Irish Tenor in the US, UK, and European Union. He is also a voting member of The Grammy's.

Opera and Current Projects

Anthony is rapidly making his name in the world of opera, a genre for which he has a great passion. His opera credits include: Fenton in an Italian production of Falstaff, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi and the title role in Faust for Opera Ireland. The Irish Times said of his performance: "Kearns gets around the notes of Faust quite well. His subtle tonal shading and judicious use of well-supported head voice complements an exciting top register." Kearns also performed Carmen's Don Jose for Ireland's Glasthule Opera. The Irish Times wrote: "Anthony Kearns proved a top-notch Don José, rising to each decisive moment with quality to spare." Anthony performed Don Ottavio in a Lismore Music Festival production of Don Giovanni in June 2011 in Ireland. The British magazine "Opera Now" is quoted: "Anthony Kearns's beautifully spun Il Mio Tesoro was a moment of still beauty in the turmoil."

In the U.S. Kearns has performed the roles of Romeo, as well as Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor) for Opera Naples [FL]. Steffanie Pearce, Opera Naples Founder and Artistic Director, is quoted: "This is a voice-of-the-century voice!" Anthony sang Alfred in Die Fledermaus in Colorado during the summer of 2011. He will reprise his role of Faust for Opera Naples early in 2012.

To read Anthony's complete and official opera biography use this link. [4]

Read other professional quotes and reviews of Anthony Kearns performances here.[5]

Use this index to view the YouTube videos of Anthony Kearns [6]

Anthony works tirelessly for many causes world-wide including countless benefit concerts in the U.S. and Ireland to raise funds for Education and Christian organizations. Among others, he has lent his name and talent to Autism Awareness [7] and works with many organizations who honor and assist U.S. troops.

Learn More

You may view several YouTube videos of Anthony's performances here [8].

Read of Anthony's charity work [9] and notable events.[10]

Anthony Kearns draws from an immense and varied repertoire which includes Irish, [11] Classical, [12] and what he fondly calls songs of a golden age.[13]

Listen to or view dozens of interviews with Anthony Kearns from all over the world here. [14]

Read archived print articles and interviews with Anthony Kearns down through the years here. [15]

Irish Tenors

Kearns, Tynan and John McDermott were brought together for a concert at the Royal Dublin Society in 1998. The concert was broadcast on the American Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 1999 and the group found itself in huge demand for concerts across the Atlantic and around the world. After the first year of international prominence, McDermott left the group to pursue solo opportunities. He was replaced by Finbar Wright, who has remained with the group. In 2006 Ronan Tynan left and was replaced by another Irish tenor Karl Scully; Tynan returned to the fold in 2010. The Irish Tenors, with Anthony Kearns as the only Tenor to stay with the group from its inception, continues to tour and record; each member also continues with solo projects. Anthony Kearns's music with the Irish Tenors can be found here [16]

References

http://anthonykearns.net

http://anthonykearns.net/AJKBIO.html

http://www.anthonykearns.net/KearnsOfficialOperaBio.html/

http://www.theirishtenors.com/anthony.html

http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608003200/The-Irish-Tenors.html

http://www.cmientertainment.com/Kearns.html

http://hallelujahbroadway.com

http://anthonykearnsmusic.com/

http://anthonykearns.com

http://homepage.eircom.net/~skelton/Kearns/Interview.htm

External links

• Anthony Kearns official website
• http://anthonykearns.net/
• http://wexford.org/Benefit_concerts.html
• http://www.cmientertainment.com/Kearns.html
• http://www.operanaples.org/2010_2011_shows/at_lucia_jan2011_review1.html
• http://www.anthonykearnsmusic.com/
• http://anthonykearns.com/

Anthony's most current and authorized information including his accurate touring schedule, current media, audios & videos, can always be accessed on his official website at [17].

The Irish Tenors current schedule can be accessed on their website at [18]

For news and information about Anthony Kearns, including latest YouTube videos, visit: [19]