Anthony Kearns

Anthony Kearns
Kearns performing in June 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Anthony Joseph Kearns
Born	(1971-08-17) August 17, 1971 (age 40)
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. Kearns began singing traditional Irish songs with his family and won many singing competitions in his youth. He spent much of his youth learning the button (double row black dot) accordion (placing in the All-Ireland finals) and various other instruments common in Traditional music. He attended F.C.J. Secondary School Bunclody, singing at their masses and school shows. After leaving school, Kearns studied catering and hotel management, while singing in local musical productions, all the while entering and placing in various singing competitions around the country.^[1]

Kearns achieved success in 1993 after entering a national radio competition, "Ireland's Search for a Tenor" on the Gay Byrne program, a competition to celebrate the issuing of a new ten pound note (called a "tenner.") In magnificent renditions of The Impossible Dream and Danny Boy, Kearns won the competition, leaps ahead of his competitors. 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 was a judge on the show. Kearns then began pursing a full-time career in music.^[2]

Kearns' career took a leap in 1998 when Irish Producer Bill Hughes and PBS joined forces to begin ^[2] The Irish Tenors.[1] Kearns, the founding member of the Irish Tenors, collaborated with Ronan Tyan and John McDermott to net Gold, Platinum, and Double Platinum CD recognitions. The Irish Tenors are in the top 3 highest-grossing clients for PBS, bringing in a whopping $10 million dollars over the course of their lengthy collaboration.

Kearns teamed up with Bill Hughes again for a PBS project called Hallelujah Broadway, filmed in Prague in February 2010.[2] Hallelujah Broadway has since been broadcast on Irish and U.S. television stations, and 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.

The prize for Best Male Singer during all Veronica Dunne International Singing Competitions [3] is now presented in Anthony’s name.

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. ^[3]

Opera and Current Projects

Kearns has made a huge impact on the opera world. 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 (Romeo & Juliet: Then and Now), 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!" Kearns was invited to sing Alfred in Die Fledermaus for the Emerald City Opera Company in Steamboat Springs, Colorado during the summer of 2011. In February 2012, Kearns reprised his title role of Faust for Opera Naples. Of his performance, Kearns was praised for executing opera’s most carefully crafted High C. Cello Bennett, of Cello Bennett Artists, reported: "Kearns sang with melting lyricism in the aria and love duets, adding dramatic intensity as required by the story and the score, topping his impressive performance off with endless high notes of ravishing beauty." The Naples News is quoted: "Kearns continues to prove he can sing anything lyrically -- and in French, too. As the younger Faust he is a vocal and visual maiden magnet."

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

Kearns 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 [5] and works with many organizations who honor and assist U.S. troops. In 2012, he performed to benefit the USO's Operation Enduring Care and sang "God Bless America" during a military tribute at the 137th Preakness Stakes.

Kearns' 2012 Spring Tour ended on stage at the John F. Kennedy Library, in a celebration of the late President's Irish heritage. The Kennedy family traces their ancestry to the same county in which Kearns was born and raised: Wexford. See the entire concert here[6].

Learn More

Anthony Kearns's professional quotes and reviews of performances can be accessed here.[7]

YouTube index of Anthony Kearns's youtube videos here. [8]

Anthony's charity work overview: [9] and notable events overview: [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]

Anthony Kearns: dozens of interviews with Anthony Kearns from all over the world are found here. [14]

Anthony Kearns: archived print articles and interviews with Anthony Kearns down through the years can be accessed 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.^[2] 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/AJKoperacredits.pdf/

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

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

http://hallelujahbroadway.com

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

http://www.theirishtenorsmusic.com/

External links

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (December 2010)

• 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.operanaples.com/2011-2012%20shows/at_faust_feb2012.html
• http://www.theirishtenorsmusic.com/
• http://homepage.eircom.net/~skelton/Kearns/Interview.htm
• 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]