Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Alessandro Brustenghi - from the original friary founded by Saint Francis of Assisi, the Portiuncola - made the news earlier in 2013 when he earned himself a major record deal. Friar Alessandro grew up wanting to be a musician but also felt called by God to become a friar and now he is able to do both. Alessandro was scouted by producer Mike Hedges who was looking for the next Italian tenor. Clearly Alessandro is indeed both a tenor and Italian but only time will tell if he is a great singer or a talented amateur who got lucky. To my ears Alessandro is closer to a classical crossover singer such as Josh Groban than any of the Three Tenors but he is still young and perhaps in the years ahead we may be comparing him to Pavarotti. This debut album, recorded at London's Abbey Road, is a nice mix of traditional and modern sacred songs, including a new setting of a prayer by St Francis, "Le Lodi Di Dio Altissimo" by Royal Wedding composer Paul Mealor. Also in the Franciscan tradition is "Fratello Sole, Sorello Luna" which is the Italian version of Donovan's "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" from the film of the same name. Later we hear a first recording of a recently discovered aria by Vincenzo Bellini (died 1835) in "Tantum Ergo Sacramentum". Better known are Franck's "Panus Angelicus", Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Faure's "Cantique De Jean Racine" and the closing number, sung in English, is another song associated with St Francis, "Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace". While much of the singing is firmly in the middle of the road there is no doubting that Alessandro has a fine voice and sincere convictions. Having taken a vow of poverty any money made from this album will go directly to the Order of Friars Minor for its charitable work.

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