Friar Alessandro Signs with Decca Records/Universal Music

Decca Records/Universal Music announces the global signing of Franciscan Friar, Alessandro Brustenghi, from the original friary founded by Saint Francis of Assisi: the Porziuncola in Assisi. Alessandro is the first Friar in the history to land a major record deal. Voice From Assisi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od9BnmYuKZ8 is a mix of traditional and modern sacred songs, including an original track by Royal Wedding composer Paul Mealor, set to a prayer written by St Francis of Assisi. When musing on his relationship with music, Friar Alessandro stated "God's gift was in my heart. When I woke up in the morning in my heart I heard melodies".

Recently featured on CBS NEWS, on September 27th, the Friar took part in a very special media event attended by press from around the world at the legendary monastery in Assisi, Italy, where he performed in his own consecrated environment. Panis Angelicus VIDEO

Having taken a personal vow of poverty, Friar Alessandro will not accept any money from sales of the album and his day to day life will not change. Proceeds will go directly to the Order of Friars Minor for its charitable work. The Friar, by day, works in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, welcoming many of the six million visitors to Assisi every year. In his spare time he works as a carpenter, restoring furniture anD Making wooden lecterns.

The legendary Mike Hedges (U2, The Cure, Manic Street Preachers) discovered Alessandro while in Italy, after years of searching for "the next Italian Tenor". Much like new TV hit 'The Voice' it was only when they met Alessandro in person, dressed in his habit, that they realized the singer recommended to them was a friar.

Alessandro Giacomo Brustenghi was born in Perugia, Italy, in 1978. From his childhood he had a passion for music and this continued into his studies both at the Istituto Magistrale Musicale A. Pieralli, in his native city, and later at the Morlacchi music conservatory where he studied organ, musical composition and voice. Together with his passion for music he was drawn to religious life and at the age of 21 he entered as a postulant in the Order of the Friars Minor of Umbria and would later take his final vows as a Franciscan friar some ten years later. It was in fact the desire to join the Order which pushed him to complete his qualification at the musical conservatory as it was considered a touchstone for the seriousness of his commitment. At present he lives at the Porziuncola Friary in Santa Maria degli Angeli, Assisi, where he acts as a sanctuary guide, welcoming pilgrims to the Basilica there. He also animates the religious celebrations, playing the organ and singing with the choir or as a soloist. Friar Alessandro grew up listening to everything from Michael Jackson to Bach, loves electronic music, and his latest musical interest is Bjork.

Voice From Assisi Track Listing

1. Fratello Sole, Sorella Luna (Brother Sun, Sister Moon)
2. Pater Noster (The Lord's Prayer)
3. Le Lodi De Dio Altissimo (A Prayer by Saint Francis of Assisi)
4. Panis Angelicus
5. Sancta Maria (from Cavalleria Rusticana)
6. Tantum Ergo Sacramentum
7. Vergin Tutto Amor
8. Ave Maria
9. Kyrie (from Misa Criolla)
10. Cantique de Jean Racine
11. Make Me a Channel of Your Peace

http://www.friaralessandro.com/