AN INSPIRATIONAL NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM
BY ACCLAIMED MULTI-PLATINUM ARTIST
MARIO FRANGOULIS
INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED VOCALIST RELEASES FAN-INSPIRED HOLIDAY COLLECTION!
FRANGOULIS TEAMS UP ON HOLIDAY ARTISTIC TRIUMPH WITH 6-TIME GRAMMY WINNER MAESTRO JORGE CALANDRELLI
BUY ON:
(New York, New York, October 30, 2015) Named “Best Male Classical Crossover Artist” to kick off the decade, globally acclaimed classical vocalist Mario Frangoulis has responded to his fans’ annual plea for a holiday album with the release of a captivating holiday collection of songs, Tales Of Christmas. The 12 track album, available beginning October 30th, weaves together stirring classics and unique contemporary interpretations, lush orchestral pieces and thoughtful piano-voice ballads, all backed by an international ensemble enhancing Mario’s spirited vocal presence and astonishing range.
Working in collaboration with 6-time Grammy winning maestro Jorge Calandrell (Placido Domingo, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga),
Tales of Christmas arrivesas an inspiring collection of songs that tell a true tale of what the holiday season is all about: compassion, family, courage, joy, and the power of love. Other partners on the project include the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, acknowledged as the UK’s foremost musical pioneer, and the iconic Abbey Road Studios where the album was recorded. Tales Of Christmas also delivers three incredible duets that complement the full range of Mario’s vocal capabilities: All Creatures of Our God and King featuring international artists George Perris, Julie Zorrilla and The Little Musicians Choir; world-famous soprano Sarah Brightman (the original Christine in Phantom of the Opera) on Carpe Diem, and legendary 4-time Grammy winning mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” Known the world-over for his refined vocal interpretations and instinctive ability to fuse the classical and contemporary, Mario introduces flawless vocal renditions of songs that range from classics such as the above-mentioned “Jingle Bells” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” to “Ave Maria” and “Panis Angelicus” to Richard Marx’s “Christmas Mornings” and Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece, “Smile” – all representing Mario’s favorite Tales of Christmas to share with his listening audiences all over the world.
A true labor of love that showcases the distinctive talents of all involved,
Tales of Christmas’ creativejourney began more than two years ago, with fans propelling Mario towards the idea of making a spiritual Christmas album for some time. After releasing more than 15 personal albums with millions of sales worldwide, (and topping the Classical Crossover charts with Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban), Frangoulis teamed up with maestro and producer Jorge Calandrelli to embark on the artistic design of the album and create a lasting, holiday-themed album destined to cap every perennial collection.
The result of this thoughtful collaboration is a true “holiday feast” for the heart and ears, elegantly in sync with Mario’s multitude of artistic accomplishments throughout his incredible career. Frangoulis’ fans have long been aware of his diverse and far-reaching talent – from playing Marius in Les Misérables (cast by Sir Cameron Mackintosh) and Raoul in Phantom of the Opera (cast by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber) to the role of Tony in West Side Story at Milan’s Teatro a la Scala. From winning the Maria Callas and Pavarotti competitions to performing with world-renowned orchestras including the Boston Pops, Chicago Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Tokyo Philharmonic, Novaya Opera of Moscow, and the Philharmonia Orchestra of London; and from airing 3 public television specials: Sometimes I Dream (2003), Music of the Night (2009), and Mario Frangoulis Live With The Boston Pops (2013) to playing the role of Alfred Drake in the film DeLovely alongside Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd.
Mario’s accomplishments however, go way beyond acting and singing. He is known the world over for his humanitarian work and commitment to children; and in his role as Global Ambassador for the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans (www.horatioalger.org) a key sponsor of the project, Mario is donating a portion of his artist’s proceeds from Tales of Christmas to the Association’s scholarship fund for high-risk, high-potential children in the USA and Canada.
Tales of Christmas will enthrall listeners. With maestro Calandrelli’s masterful arrangements and Mario’s magnificent voice, Tales of Christmas will be a welcome, surprising, and timeless addition to everyone’s holiday music canon!
Tales of Christmas released globally on October 30, 2015 is available in outlets throughout the US and Canada on Beautiful Things Productions LTD, distributed by BDG/RED Distribution, LLC (a division of SONY Music Entertainment).
Tracklist:
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Music and Lyrics: James Lord Pierpont
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh. Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what fun it is to ride
On a one-horse open sleigh.
We’re dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way,
Bells on bobtail ring
Making spirits bright
Oh! what fun it is to sing
A sleighing song tonight.
Oh, Jingle bells, jingle bells …
A day or two ago,
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon, Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot,
We run into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot. "Upsot"?
Jingle bells, jingle bells …
Dashing through the fields of white
On this happy Christmas night
Off we go, through the snow
Bells are ringing, but we’re singing
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jing jangle..
Jjj jingle bells, Jjj jangle bells
Jjj all the way
On a one-horse open sleigh!
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Music: William Henry Draper
Lyrics: Based on the poem by St. Francis of Assisi
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voices, let us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beams,
Thou silver moon that gently gleams!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Rushing winds that art so strong
Clouds that sail in Heaven along,
Rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Lights of evening, find a voice!
All ye men of tender heart,
Forgive others, take your part,
Praise the Father, praise the Son,
Praise the Spirit, Three in One!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
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Music and Lyrics: Eden Ahbez
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far
, very far,
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day, a magic day
He passed my way
And while we spoke
of many things,
Fools and kings
This he said to me
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return”
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Music: Music: Richard Marx, Dave Grusin
Lyrics: Richard Marx
I remember me wide awake on Christmas eve
Waiting for the sun to reach the sky
Life was beautiful, anything was possible
Never knew the meaning of goodbye
Things were oh so simple then
I prayed that it would never end
And our love lives in every memory
The sweetest days never fade away
And when I need to feel them close to me
I think of Christmas mornings and how it used to be
I still remember when you were maybe 9 or 10
Afraid of shadows on your wall
I would hold you tight
Tell you everything's alright
I'm just a few steps down the hall
Things were oh so simple then
What I'd give to live it all again
But our love lives in every memory
The sweetest days never fade away
When I need to feel you close to me
I think of Christmas mornings and how it used to be
Yes our love lives in every memory…
I think of Christmas mornings and how it still can be...
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Music and Lyrics: Irving Berlin
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
May all your Christmases,
May all your Christmases be white!
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Music: Charlie Chaplin
Lyrics: John Turner, Geoffrey Parsons
Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fears and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through, for you…
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
Smile,
If you just Smile…
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Music and Lyrics: Wiliam Chatterton Dix
What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste, to bring Him praise
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
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Music: Walter Kent, Buck Ram
Lyrics: Kim Gannon
I'll be home for christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents by the tree
Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for christmas
If only in my dreams.
Christmas snow, mistletoe
And presents by the tree…
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Music: Freddy Scholl and Florian Sitzmann Cae Gaunit
Lyrics: Freddy Scholl, Florian Sitzmann and Cae Gaunit
Carpe Diem, Carpe Diem,
This moment in its glory,
And its pain;
Is a heartbeat caught in time.
Seize the day
Seize the day
Blazing across the endless wasted land,
Shedding light of eternity.
Come embrace the day!
We will never pass this way again!
Never see this morning
Never again this dawning of the sun.
Come embrace the day!
We will never pass this way again!
Never see this dawn
Never again this dawning of the sun.
Feeble though we are,
Fleeting breath of life;
Touch immortality.
Tempus fugit!
Carpe Diem, Carpe Diem...
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Music: César Franck
Lyrics: Saint Thomas Aquinas form the Hymn ‘Sacris Solemniis’
Panis Angelicus fit panis hominum
Dat panis coelicus figuris terminum
O res mirabilis!
Manducat Dominum
Pauper, pauper, servus et humilis
Pauper, pauper, servus et humilis
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Music: Franz Schubert
Lyrics: Spanish prayer from St. Luke’s Gospel
Dios te salve, Maria
Llena eres de gracia:
El Seńor es contigo.
Bendita tú eres entre todas las mujeres.
Y bendito es el fruto,
El fruto de tu vientre:
Jesús.
Santa María,
Santa María, Madre de Dios.
Ruega por nosotros pecadores,
Ahora y en la hora de nuestra muerte.
Amén.
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Music: Ralph Blaine
Lyrics: Hugh Martin
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yuletide gay,
From now on,
Our troubles will be miles away.
Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.
Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
