The American Tenors Make Their Recording Debut on Sony Classical

A dynamic new trio of American tenors makes its recording debut on Sony Classical's The American Tenors. Chosen after an exhaustive national search, tenors Nathan Granner, Daniel Montenegro and Mauricio O'Reilly sing classic American songs, as well as Italian and Spanish tenor favorites, on their first Sony Classical recording, to be released on March 4, 2003. The CD is the companion disc to a PBS concert special that will introduce the singers to a nationwide audience during the network's March pledge drives. The trio is under the direction of Frank McNamara, who was the musical producer of another enduring international success, The Irish Tenors.

Each at the beginning of a promising career in opera, Granner, Montenegro and O'Reilly combine exceptional talent, youthful good looks and powerful personality in their debut recording, featuring beloved songs that have become identified with the tenor voice. All three singers are basically lyric tenors with the potential for singing more dramatic roles -- the ideal kind of voice for the operatic repertoire. Each singer's voice is as distinctive as his background. The 31-year-old Granner, an Iowa native, is also a painter. California-born Montenegro, 23, studied conducting, and has conducted as well as sung opera. O'Reilly, who 29 and lives in New York, was an award-winning student filmmaker in his native Mexico while he also pursued vocal studies.

"In this world fascinated by the sound of the tenor voice, it's time we hear from three young and talented American-born tenors," McNamara says. "These three gentlemen -- representing the East Coast, West Coast and Midwest -- are just starting their careers. They're conservatory-trained musicians with a great sound and wonderful energy and presence."

For the concert -- featuring a full symphony orchestra and the Angel City Chorale -- the three American tenors sing traditional and popular songs that reflect the spirit, the folklore and the richly diverse culture of America. Together, they sing such popular classics as "Climb Every Mountain," "Luck Be a Lady," "With a Song in My Heart" and a medley from West Side Story, as well as the patriotic favorite "The House I Live In," introduced by Frank Sinatra, and the inspirational "I Believe." Granner is soloist in Stephen Foster's "Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair," Montenegro is spotlighted in Mario Lanza's signature hit, "Be My Love," and O'Reilly sings the Spanish favorite "Granada." Traditional American songs include "Amazing Grace," "Oh Susanna," "Shenandoah," "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and "America the Beautiful." Also included are two beloved Italian songs -- "Funiculi Funicula" and "Torna a Surriento." The Sony Classical CD includes four tracks that will not be heard on the PBS broadcast.

The American Tenors concert special that debuts on PBS in March was filmed in Los Angeles at the Kodak Theater, home of the Academy Awards, under the direction of William Cosel. A production of Top C Entertainment Ltd., in association with South Caroline Educational Television Network, the program is underwritten by Public Television Viewers and PBS. The concert's DVD, released on March 4, 2003, will include bonus performance footage of "God Bless America," "Torna a Surriento" and "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair," as well as a photo gallery and interviews.

The American Tenors will be featured on http://www.americantenorsmusic.com/, the trio's domain on Sony Classical's Web site at http://www.sonyclassical.com/ . Sony Classical.com is an online resource for exploring the label's entire catalogue of recordings, and includes sound clips, track listings, cover art and other information about the recordings. The site also features an online radio show, album supersites, multimedia, artist biographies, tour schedules and discographies for all Sony Classical artists, as well as special promotions, and much more.

SOURCE: Sony Classical

CONTACT: Carol Della Penna, +1-212-833-7479,
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Web site: http://www.americantenorsmusic.com/
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