Press Articles - Winter 2002

Irish Tenor Finbar Wright
rides wave of green

By CHANNING GRAY Journal Arts Writer

Looking back, Finbar Wright would probably have to say the high point of his career came in the late 1970s, when he serenaded Pope John Paul II before an audience of more than a million souls.

Though things have been downhill since, at least in terms of audience size, Wright isn't complaining. He's one of the Irish Tenors who, following the footsteps of the obscenely popular Three Tenors, have been doing quite well, thank you.

The Tenors' first two albums spent more than two years topping the Billboard charts.

As part of a 19-city holiday tour, Wright and his two cohorts, Anthony Kearns and physician Ronan Tynan, will be stopping at Providence Performing Arts Center tomorrow and Saturday.

The program, at 8 p.m. both nights, features generous doses of holiday cheer along with traditional Irish favorites, lest hard-core fans feel disappointed.

"Even the Christmas show seems to be growing every year," said Wright from his home in Ireland, just a couple of days before hopping a plane for the United States.

The group will be on tour until Christmas Eve. "But that's good. I'm not complaining."

It's not just the Irish Tenors who are making hay. Green is gold, these days. Consider Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.

Irish is big right now, said Wright, a former priest, because shows like these have elevated simple folk tunes and dances to "spectacular kind of blockbusters," with lights, sets and soaring orchestras.

"It takes it to a larger audience," he said, "to a wider listenership."

It was late afternoon in Ireland when Wright was reached last week. His two kids were off playing tennis. Wright, after seven years in the priesthood, married a fellow singer who is now getting her master's in marketing.

"My wife kind of went academic on me," said Wright.

Solo success Cynics, who might think Wright is just another crooner hoping to capitalize on the popularity of Irish music, should know he enjoyed a thriving solo career before joining the trio.

In fact, he had to turn down the first invitation to join the group because he was under contract with Sony. Whatever You Believe, his second album, went triple-platium within weeks of its release, and several other recordings have attained platinum status.

It was only after Canadian tenor John McDermott, one of the original members, dropped out two years ago to do his own thing that Wright, with his Sony contract at an end, came on board.

One of eight sibblings who grew up on a farm in the hamlet of Ballinspittle in County Cork, Wright got his start as an altar boy. He was pulled toward the priesthood in his teens, and after studying in northern Spain was ordained in the early 1980s.

His big break came in 1986, when he aced a national singing contest. He was in his mid-20s at the time.

"Most tenors don't hit their stride until their mid-40s," said Wright, who at 44 feels he's right on target.

Wright has retained a fondness and feel for Spanish music. The great Spanish diva Monserat Caballe thought so highly of his talents she invited Wright to share the stage with her during a 1993 appearance in Dublin.

In fact, Wright said, before joining the Irish Tenors he was better known for his recordings of Spanish and Italian love songs.

"There's a little Spanish blood in my family. I think it came from the Spanish Armada. Someone must have jumped ship."

Cutting up Wright's wit comes in just as handy as his vocal chops. The Tenors are forever cutting up during their act.

"We put on a different show with a lot of ad-libbing," he said. "Some nights, it's a riot."

Wright has sung some Mozart and a lot of light opera in his time. But at this point, it would be difficult voice-wise as well as career-wise to jump back and forth between Danny Boy and Don Giovanni.

Besides, Wright said, he's "perfectly happy" as a member of the Tenors. "I love the music and I love performing with the group."

The Irish Tenors bring their Christmas Spectacular to the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., tomorrow night and Saturday at 8. Tickets range from $48 to $73. Call 421-2787.