Scottish Catholic Observer

A Franciscan tenor has become the first ever friar to sign a major recording contract, after music executives heard him sing in his native Italy.

Alessandro Brustenghi, who has taken a vow of poverty, will now showcase his voice to millions of opera fans after signing an album deal with Decca Records, part of Universal Music. He intends to donate all proceeds from record sales to the Order of Friars Minor for charitable work.

Executives from 25 different countries flew to London to see his first performance at the 2012 International Decca Conference in Westminster yesterday.

Friar Alessandro said he was nervous but felt this was a great opportunity.

“I feel excited, very excited because it’s realised my vocation,” he said. “Music for me is a direct line with God.

The friar, who usually works as a carpenter, making wooden lecterns and restoring furniture, boarded an aeroplane for the first time to travel to Abbey Road studios where he will record his album.

His first album, made up of a mixture of traditional and modern sacred songs, will be released in October. It includes an original track by Royal Wedding composer Paul Mealor, set to a prayer written by St Francis of Assisi.

“[Music is] the way to communicate with [God] and it’s the way God uses to communicate with us,” Friar Alessandro added. “It’s the way to spread the gospel, to everybody, to the world. The story of St Francis of Assisi is very similar to mine. Francis was a humble man, and he decided to spread the Gospel with music, dance and joy.”