Friar Alessandro - Songs From Assisi (2017)

Tracklist
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01. Franck: Panis Angelicus FWV 61,Op.12
02. Here I am, Lord
03. Leitch: Fratello Sole Sorella Luna
04. Newton: Amazing Grace
05. Baker: Pater Noster
06. Temple: Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
07. Mealor: Le Lodi Di Dio Altissimo
08. Schubert: Ave Maria, 'Ellens Gesang III' D839
09. Machetta: Resta con noi, Signore, la sera
10. Ramírez: Misa Criolla - 1. Kyrie
11. Sibelius: Con te, Gesù, Op. 26
12. Rutter: A Gaelic Blessing
13. Handel: Serse, HWV 40 / Act 1 - O Mio Signor (After "Ombra mai fù" from Serse, HWV 40)
14. Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus, K.618
15. Durante: Vergin Tutto Amor
16. Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana - Sancta Maria (After "Intermezzo" from Cavalleria rusticana)
17. Stradella: Pietà Signore
18. Bizet: L'Arlésienne Suite No.2 - Agnus Dei (After "Intermezzo" from L'arlésienne, Op. 23, WD 28)
19. Gounod, J.S. Bach: Ave Maria, CG 89a (Arr. from Bach's Prelude No.1, BWV 846)

Born in the late '70s in the small, central Italian village of Castiglione della Valle, Alessandro Brustenghi studied music from the age of nine, initially focusing on composition and the organ before concentrating on singing. During this period he developed a love not only for the music of such disparate figures as Michael Jackson and Bach, but also for the poetry and song of St. Francis of Assisi. From the age of 14 onwards he took part in choral singing and, following an intense period of practice and study in his late teens, his voice reached its full potential. Upon completing a music diploma, Brustenghi entered the Franciscan Order, where he went on to teach singing and spend time restoring various musical instruments such as harmoniums. Brustenghi grabbed headlines when he secured a major deal with Decca Records — who marketed him as Friar Alessandro — and the resultant Voice from Assisi entered the U.K. album chart in October 2012. Recorded at Abbey Road and produced by Mike Hedges — who had worked with everyone from the Cure to Martha Wainwright and Russell Watson to the Priests, and who had discovered Brustenghi — the album showcased his rich tenor and featured a wealth of spiritual material, including arrangements from Stephen Baker and Paul Mealor.