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| Mario Frangoulis Will Sing in Detroit Mario Frangoulis, a world-renowned tenor, will be making his first appearance in the Detroit area at the Detroit Opera House, Saturday, May 6. The concert will be a benefit for the Fire Restoration Fund of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in St. Clair Shores and Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis (Archdiocese) of Detroit cultural programs. This will be a one-of-a-kind performance by the young tenor who has a versatile style rooted in his operatic training but inspired by the energy and sound of contemporary pop. His music ranges from classical to an Italian- version of "Nights in White Satin" by the Moody Blues. Frangoulis has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls in New York, London, Berlin, Helsinki, Paris, Cannes, Brussels, Moscow, Stockholm and throughout Greece. On April 6 and 7 he performed concerts to benefit the Horatio Alger Association in Washington, D.C., and April 9 he performed another important solo benefit concert for the Yellow Ribbon Soldiers Campaign in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mario's "Here's to the Heroes" is a moving ballad that touches everyone's mind and heart. He was introduced to America with his CD, "Sometimes I Dream, " which one writer describes as "bathed in the passionate atmosphere of the Mediterranean." Another wrote, "move over Andrea Bocelli." His most recent CD, "Follow Your Heart, " features gorgeous original ballads, dazzling arrangements of favorite classical melodies and a soaring duet with Latino superstar Alejandro Fernandez. "Follow Your Heart" was released in Europe just before the tenor performed at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. Frangoulis even made a film debut with such music notables as Alanis Morissette, Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow in the MGM film biography of Cole Porter, "De Lovely." Mario was born in colonial Rhodesia, Africa. His mother found a home for him with her sister in Greece, at the age of four, at a time when the political situation in Africa was explosive and dangerous. Raised by his aunt in Greece and separated from his beloved older brother, Mario was surrounded with a large extended family. Today, he speaks fondly of both sets of parents and the feeling for music they instilled in him. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |