MARIO FRANGOULIS A VOICE THAT INSPIRES MARIO FRANGOULIS | BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE Mario Frangoulis is a Classical Crossover artist and tenor known the world over for his powerhouse vocals Theatre Jones said, “Frangoulis has a simply beautiful voice. Enjoying a live performance of this sound was and charismatic live performances. Billboard calls him, “Daring and inspring!” while CNN.com says, “His worth the price of admission. But he has more than this. His ability to rivet the adoration of the audience to his world is distilled to pure sound, all voice.” every motion was stunning.” Born in Africa and raised in Greece, he studied at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he In late 2012, Mario was invited by Robin Gibb to record one of the last songs he ever wrote, “Daybreak,” from was discovered by Sir Cameron Mackintosh, referred to by the New York Times as “the most successful, his epic composition The Titanic Requiem. In honor of Gibb, Mario performed it for the first time in an influential and powerful producer of our time.” Mackintosh immediately cast him to play Marius in Les emotional concert recorded for public television in the USA with the historic Boston Pops at Symphony Hall Misérables in London’s West End and soon after, he was invited by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber to play the role with the acclaimed Keith Lockhart conducting. Mario Frangoulis Live With The Boston Pops, his 3rd public of Raoul in Phantom of the Opera to great critical acclaim. It was during this time, that Mario discovered the television special after Sometimes I Dream and Music Of The Night, aired in late 2012/early 2013 and has operatic side of his voice. As a winner of the Maria Callas scholarship and Pavarotti competition, he found reached over 50M households throughout the USA and Canada airing mostly in prime time in the Top 10 himself on a path to Italy to study with the late tenor Carlo Bergonzi. television markets. Upon the recommendation of one of his mentors, the legendary mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, Mario went In 2015, Mario teamed up with 6-time Grammy winning maestro, arranger and producer Jorge Calandrelli to to Rome to audition for the acclaimed tenor Alfredo Kraus who was performing with Nicola Rescigno (Maria respond to his fans’ plea for a holiday album. The result was a world-class spiritual album — Tales of Callas’ favorite conductor). Both were impressed. Mario then became the only private student the late Kraus Christmas — released worldwide in October, 2015. In its first week, Tales of Christmas ranked at #14 on ever accepted. They traveled throughout the world, with Frangoulis studying and learning while Kraus Billboard’s Classical Charts and held the #14 and #18 positions for its entire marketplace duration (October performed. This intensive training cultivated Mario’s solid vocal technique and good high notes, both 2015-January, 2016). During the creation and recording of the album, Mario enjoyed over 30 major hallmarks of Kraus’ style. He continued to cultivate his vocal skill at the Julliard School of Music in New York, performances with highlights at New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, a special piano-voice recital with maestro studying under the guidance of Dodi Protero. and pianist Eugene Kohn (Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli and Maria Callas’ accompanist in her famous “Master Classes” at Julliard in New York) at the foot of the Acropolis at the Herod Atticus Theatre, a major solo Mario has performed in a wide range of roles in his career that have utilized his broad and deep skillset and performance in Dallas at the Winspear Opera House, and a holiday performance with Motown icon Smokey talent – both as a singer and actor. In the New Millennium he won (out of thousands) the role of Tony in West Robinson. Side Story and performed at Milan’s La Scala. He has played roles from the King and I with Barbara Cook, and Alfred Drake from Kiss Me Kate in the film De Lovely, performing the song “So In Love” with world- Frangoulis is beloved by his supporters and fans not only because of his vocal talent, but also because of who famous singer Lara Fabian, to lead roles in ancient Greek theater such as The Birds by Aristophanes and he is as a human being. Throughout his 25+ years on stage, he has been unwavering in his life-long epic roles such as Dionysus, Achilles, and Prometheus performing in epic theatres such as Epidaurus in commitment to humanitarian causes, especially those that pertain to the protection of children. He is an Greece and Pergamon in Turkey. International Ambassador for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in the United States and Canada, and Ambassador of Peace for Nobel Peace Prize Winner Betty Williams’ World Centers of His recording career launched when he was discovered by Peter Gelb, the head of Sony Classical, who now Compassion for Children International in Europe. The list of charities and philanthropic initiatives he has runs the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Since that time, he has completed over 15 personal recordings supported over the years is long, and include the Jose Carreras Leukemia Foundation, Give US Your Poor, and sold over 1,000,000 albums worldwide. His debut as a Classical Crossover artist launched in 2002 with The Jericho Project, the Dalai Lama Center for Peace, Prince Charles of England’s Charities, UNESCO and the release of Sometimes I Dream with a second album Follow Your Heart fast on its heels (2002, 2006). many more. Both international albums solidified Mario as a top 3 Classical Crossover Artist on Bilboard where he held the #2 and #3 positions with Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban for over 50 weeks. He is consistently ranked in the As Mario says, “Ultimately, I believe that our lives and purpose should be about preserving what is good in this top 10 on international charts, and in 2011 was voted Best Male Classical Crossover Artist globally, world – striving for peace and compassion – and doing this through music and an undying commitment to recognizing him as one of the most important artists in the genre. love. You have to show your personality, your character, and most of all your truth. You have to express the hopes of your soul, and that’s what my music is about. It’s simply about what it means to be human… I of Mario Frangoulis is known for his refined vocal interpretations, and unique ability to sing in over 5 languages. course want to be remembered as a talented artist, but most of all, I want to be remembered as a human He combines the classical and contemporary and loves to blend multiple styles (opera, pop, rock, folk, soul/ being who did his part to make this world a better place.” R&B, world). He has performed with world-class artists from Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras to Lara Fabian and Sarah Brightman, to Justin Hayward and Klaus Meine; and orchestras such as the Boston Pops, Chicago Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, Novaya Opera of Moscow, and the Philharmonia Orchstra of London (to name a few). MARIO FRANGOULIS | CAREER HIGHLIGHTS • Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London, UK; Winner of Maria Callas & Pavarotti Competitions. • “Marius” in Les Miserables (Cast by Sir Cameron Mackintosh) • “Raoul” in Phantom of the Opera (Cast by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber) • Mentored by Marilyn Horne & only student of Spanish tenor Alfredo Kraus • Juilliard School of Music, New York, USA • “Tony” in West Side Story at Teatro a la Scala, Milan • Sometimes I Dream CD released in 2002, PBS/public television special aired (2003, 2004), Sony Classical NY • Featured artist, Olympic Games Ceremonies, Athens, Greece (2004) • Lead actor in ancient Greek theatre playing major roles such as: Achilles, Dionysus and Prometheus at Epidaurus and Pergamon • Follow Your Heart, 2nd international album (2005), Sony Classical • Ranked #2 and #3 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover charts with Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban for over 50 weeks • Role of Frances Drake in the movie De Lovely with Kevin Kline, Lara Fabian, Ashley Judd, Natalie Cole, Alanis Morissette • 18 personal albums, 14 guest/compilation albums, over 1,000,000 sold worldwide • Compilation Album Give US Your Poor in support of a US-based national campaign to end homelessness, with Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Natalie Merchant, Jewel, Madeleine Peyroux and others (2007) • 40+ city “Symphony” tour with Sarah Brightman (2008) • Music of the Night CD/DVD aired on public television (2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) • Global Ambassador for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans (USA) (www.horatioalger.org) • Ambassador of Peace for World Centers of Compassion for Children International (Europe) (www.wccci.org) • Featured solo performer at the Dalai Lama’s Vancouver Peace Conference (2009) • Voted 2011 “Best Classical Crossover Male Artist” globally • Beautiful Things album, international Classical Crossover album • Co-Host of “Special Olympics” Opening Ceremonies with Vanessa Williams (2011) • Recording of “Daybreak” from Robin Gibb’s Titanic Requiem, UK release (one of his last songs ever written) (2012) • Mario Frangoulis Live With the Boston Pops public television special aired to over 50M+ television viewing households in the Top 10 US and Canadian markets (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) • Sold-out solo performance “Mario Frangoulis Live” at Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York (2014) • Piano/Voice recital with Maestro Eugene Kohn, Herod Atticus Theater (2014) • Recording & launch of Tales of Christmas, holiday album produced and arranged by 6x Grammy winner Jorge Calandrelli