Archived News |

December 8, 2006

Opera singer Franc D鈥橝mbrosio to perform Jan. 30

Franc D'Ambrosio, the world鈥檚 longest running Phantom, will give a concert in Brown Auditorium Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m. as a Louisiana Lyric Opera fundraiser.

He is best known as the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber鈥檚 Tony award-winning musical, The Phantom of the Opera. He has performed the role of the masked man close to 3000 times. He was awarded the distinction as the world鈥檚 longest running phantom, an event immortalized in a cemented hand ceremony in California.

D'Ambrosio was discovered in the chorus of his first Broadway show, and thrust into the spotlight after Paramount Pictures sent five talent scouts on a two-year international search to find the actor who would play the coveted role of Anthony Corleone, the opera singing son of Al Pacino and Diane Keaton, in Francis Ford Coppola's seven-time Academy Award nominated film Godfather III.

Cast on Friday in New York City and filming in Rome on Monday, Bronx born D'Ambrosio began a varied and impressive career. His resume includes an Academy Award nominated film, Emmy award nominated television shows, Grammy considerations, and a National Theatre Award nomination for his stage work.

His performance of the Academy Award winning theme song from the Godfather film impressed the legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti so much that it led to an invitation for D鈥橝mbrosio to study with him at his home in Italy.

It was in the Off Broadway production of Valentino that D鈥橝mbrosio caught the eye of Barry Manilow, who personally selected him to create and star as the male lead "Tony" in the pre-Broadway tour of Copacabana. The show enjoyed a successful yearlong tour and a performance that earned D鈥橝mbrosio a National Theatre Award nomination for Best Male Performer in a Musical.

Television appearances include "Regis and Kathy Lee," "Entertainment Tonight," "MTV's Spotlight,鈥� and various television specials and live events. He is also known for his role as red carpet correspondent for "Access Hollywood"鈥檚 coverage of the film version of The Phantom of the Opera.

Quickly recognized for his voice and legato singing, D鈥橝mbrosio was invited by Olympic champion Brian Boitano to perform as a Special Musical Guest in the skater鈥檚 NBC special 鈥淏rian Boitano鈥檚 Skating Spectacular,鈥� starring D鈥橝mbrosio and American Idol runner-up Diana De Garmo; followed by Boitano鈥檚 next TV special, 鈥淭he 2005 Tribute to Movies on Ice,鈥� where D鈥橝mbrosio starred as Special Musical Guest with Michael Bolton and American Idol Kimberly Locke. His performance of 鈥淢usic of the Night鈥� from the movie The Phantom of the Opera, skated to by Boitano, received the evening鈥檚 standing ovation.

D鈥橝mbrosio is featured on many CDs and his performance of 鈥淧anis Angelicus鈥� earned him a Grammy consideration for Best Male Vocalist 1999. In November 2005 he received his second Grammy consideration, this time for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for 鈥淔ranc D鈥橝mbrosio鈥檚 Broadway,鈥� the companion CD to his one-man show.

He also appeared with Michael Feinstein, Amanda McBroom, Maureen McGovern and others on a new CD titled In Good Company (LML Music) released spring 2005, which received the 2006 Mac Award.

D鈥橝mbrosio has joined the ranks of acclaimed Phantom alumni, such as Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, as one of only a few performers who have crossed over as solo performers and toured successfully with their own shows. Franc D'Ambrosio's Broadway has enjoyed a three year national tour with more then 150 shows to date; including a three week sold out run at the New Conservatory Theatre Center in San Francisco. He has been the number one touring artist with the Live on Stage touring organization for the past two years.

Franc D'Ambrosio's Hollywood, presented by Big League Productions and Kim Stoermer will debut in spring 2007.

PLEASE NOTE: Some links and e-mail addresses in these archived news stories may no longer work, and some content may include events which are no longer relevent, or reference individuals and/or organizations no longer associated with 蜜桔直播.