America’s Tenor Daniel Rodriguez Makes A Rousing Debut.

Daniel Rodriguez has quickly become “America’s tenor,” and makes his long-awaited debut on Manhattan Records’ The Spirit of America, featuring twelve songs that capture a shared sense of determination and hope in these historic times. Rodriguez himself selected the songs for this recording, all favorites that range from “God Bless America” to “This is the Moment” from the Broadway musical Jekyll and Hyde, and including a new song entitled “We Will Go On.” The album will be released on Manhattan Records, a division of Capitol Jazz & Classics; The Spirit of America will be released on February 12, 2002 — produced by renowned composer, arranger and producer Tom Scott.

A New Yorker to the core, Rodriguez and the heroic sound of his voice have become powerful symbols of the determination of all Americans. The tenor is a member of the New York Police Department, championed by the city’s former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Giuliani, a well-known fan of opera and great singing, introduced Daniel at a New York Yankees game, where the officer performed the National Anthem. He generated widespread interest when he sang the National Anthem and “God Bless America” at various sporting events and public ceremonies. Mayor Giuliani also brought Daniel to the attention of Placido Domingo who said, “he has great vocal chords from nature … ”

For The Spirit of America, Rodriguez has chosen songs that offer an all-embracing sense of hope, faith and patriotism. In addition to “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful,” he sings the traditional favorites “Danny Boy” and “Shenandoah”; versions of “Ave Maria” by Bach/Gounod and “The Lord’s Prayer” by Albert Hay Malotte; rousing Broadway standards “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel, “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables, “This is the Moment” from Jekyll and Hyde, and “Into the Fire” from The Scarlet Pimpernel; “The House I Live In,” which Frank Sinatra introduced as the title song of an Oscar-winning 1945 short film about American life, and composer Joe Mardin’s new song of hope “We Will Go On.”

Rodriguez’s single of “God Bless America” was released on December 11, 2001, with Mayor Rudolph Giuliani reading Irving Berlin’s seldom-used verse in an inspired introduction to the recording. Profits from the sales of “God Bless America” are being donated to the Twin Towers Fund, supporting recovery and relief efforts for police, fire and emergency services personnel of the city of New York.

Born in Brooklyn, Daniel Rodriguez has an extraordinary natural talent and background that echo the legendary American tenor Mario Lanza. He has been singing since he was 10 years old, and made his debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall when he was 17. He has appeared in opera and musical theater productions in the New York area and continues to study voice. Rodriguez joined the New York Police Department several years ago and is currently one of the designated National Anthem singers in the NYPD’s ceremonial division. This March, Daniel will be studying with Placido Domingo at the Washington Opera Company for three months.

On February 8th, Daniel will be performing “God Bless America” in Salt Lake City at THE OLYMPICS pre-opening ceremony and will be nationally televised on NBC-TV.

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