Since they first joined voices in 1998, The Irish Tenors have made countless traditional treasures breathe with new life. Moreover, they've proven themselves gifted interpreters of a wide range of material, with such songs as "My Heart Will Go On" (made famous by Celine Dion), "Fairytale Of New York" (previously recorded by Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues) and even Jimmy Kennedy's "South Of The Border" (Down Mexico Way). These songs live comfortably in their repertoire alongside "Danny Boy", "My Wild Irish Rose" and "Fields Of Athenry". In September, 2005 Razor & Tie will release their latest album, "Sacred, A Spiritual Journey", featuring a wide range of spiritual material and inspirational songs.
They are surely versatile, but for many, Anthony Kearns, and Finbar Wright are synonymous with Irish music. When John McDermott announced he was going to concentrate on solo engagements, a search was started for a third tenor. Karl Scully is the newest member of the Irish Tenors.
Read more about the history of The Irish Tenors >
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 Anthony Kearns' invitation to join the trio may have been based largely on his illustrious halftime performance at the culmination of the 1996 All-Ireland Hurling Championship and subsequent appearance at the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) finals, but he was singing publicly in his hometown of Kiltealy since the age of ten. These "tops of the town" shows gave way to years of high-level vocal competition and intensive training at FCJ (Faithful Companions of Jesus) Secondary School in Bunclody, an institution renowned for its music program.
While working in the hospitality industry in Wicklow, Kearns became involved in both the Wicklow Music Society and the local "singing pubs" competitions. He was also a much sought-after singer at weddings and other special events.
His standing grew alongside his contest victories, achieved by assaying everything from Sean Nos (traditional Irish singing) to pop, rock and country hits. In 1995 and 1996, Kearns won the prestigious Dermot Troy Trophy for Oratorio, in 1995, he won the Best Male Singer at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera and he reached the top at the ESB Veronica Dunne International Singing Comeptition in 1999. He was next seen competing on Ireland's "Late Late Show", which brought him to the attention of vocal coach Veronica Dunne, who also trained Finbar Wright. Repeated triumphs at the Dublin Feis Ceoil, Europe's longest-running classical music festival, and elsewhere led to a national reputation and those coveted sporting-event gigs. Since he became one third of The Irish Tenors in 1998, that reputation has become international.
 Finbar Wright, known as "Ireland's Great Romantic Singer", grew up on a small farm in Ballinspittle, just yards from the sea. He began his music education on piano at the age of five. Wright also studied for the priesthood, heading off to board at Cork's Farranferris College at 11. He was ordained in 1980. At 22, he was the youngest priest in the world; his ordination required a special dispensation from the Vatican. He was even familiar to Pope John Paul II, as he had been selected to read the Gospel and sing the responsories at the Pope's Mass at Phoenix Park, Dublin, in September 1979. The first Mass of a reigning Pontiff in Ireland, the event was attended by 1.25 million people, at that time a third of the entire population of Ireland.
Wright's first formal training in music came in the mid-'70s, in Spain. Heavily influenced by Spanish music,he was invited to perform in 1995 in Dublin with the great Spanish soprano, Montserrat Caballe. Ultimately, Wright left the priesthood and devoted himself to music. He attended the Cork School of Music where he studied singing with Robert Beare, theory of music with George Dunne and piano with Angel Climent. Subsequently he studied with Ernst Haefligger in Munich and internationally acclaimed soprano Ileana Cotrubas at Aldeburgh, England. However, the greatest influence on his vocal technique and musical confidence has been that of Dr. Veronica Dunne in Dublin with whom he continues to study whenever possible.
His position was assured with his nomination as Ireland's representative to the Cardiff (now BBC) Singer of the World Competition (like Kearns, Wright had been a champion at the Dublin Feis Ceoil, winning all the major singing awards).
His six solo recordings have, all, reached gold status with four going platinum. His 1992 disc, "Whatever You Believe", rose to #1 and was deemed triple platinum in Ireland. Twice winner of "Ireland's Best Male Performer" Award, he has also hosted his own television series for RTE. With only 10 days notice, Finbar Wright joined The Irish Tenors when John McDermott left the group in 2000. |
 Karl Scully is the newest member of The Irish Tenors. Karl's operatic roles include Albert in "Albert Herring" by Benjamin Britten, National Concert Hall, Dublin, Paolino in "Il Matrimonio Segreto", Cimarosa, Orvieto, Italy, Ferrando,in Cosi Fan Tutte, Orvieto, Italy. Whilst living in Italy Karl was resident tenor in Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, Italy, where he sang solo roles alongside world famous artists including American bass Samuel Ramey. He also starred as Count John McCormack in the cinematic film "Nora" starring Ewan McGregor. Karl has performed solo engagements in the Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa, Italy, Teatro Mancinelli, Orvieto, Italy, Moulin D'Ande, Normandie, France, National Concert Hall, RDS, Dublin Castle, Bank of Ireland Arts Centre, Mansion House, Christ Church Cathedral, The Helix, Dublin and The Waterfront, Belfast.
Karl's success in competitions across Ireland includes; first prize in Lieder, French Song, Oratorio, Opera and Folk Songs; The John McCormack Cup, Rathmines and Rathgar Cup in the Feis Ceoil and was a multiple first prize winner in the Sligo Feis.
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