School with Franc D’Ambrosio

Posted on 21 April 2011 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

Franc D’Ambrosio (R) and Sharon Brooks, director of education, Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

www.AdventuresofCinemaDave.com

In the past month, Franc D’Ambrosio has worked in South Florida on at least three occasions — between business trips to California, New York and the Midwest.

Besides holding the record for being The Phantom of the Opera on-stage longer than anybody, D‘Ambrosio  portrayed Al Pacino and Diane Keaton’s son in The Godfather Part III, in which he sang the opera  Cavalleria Rusticana and “Speak Softly Love,” the famed “Love Theme from The Godfather.

When asked about a potential Godfather IV, D’Ambrosio said, “There has been discussions recently. I’d love to do it and will free myself from the concert schedule. Coppola is a genius.”

While he admitted that the set was ‘tense’ at times, D’Ambrosio stated that it was a thrilling experience.

“On my first day, I show up on the set and watched Al Pacino and Andy Garcia doing a scene. Al is such a method actor, we were only Anthony and Dad. Even off the set, I called him Dad and he called me Anthony.”

After viewing The Godfather Part III,” Luciano Pavarotti took interest in D’Ambrosio and he became Pavarotti’s apprentice. This is a tradition that D’Ambrosio has continued by teaching Master Voice Classes worldwide, including a recent stop at Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

For a nominal fee, D’Ambrosio listened to six singers, age 15 to middle aged. With each instruction, each student presented a stronger, more authentic performance. When class ended, D’Ambrosio stayed after school to work with additional students.

“A performance is not about you, but giving to the audience. That is what the people want and it is my job to provide that experience.”

Like his mentor Pavarotti, D’Ambrosio taught more than vocal technique. Pavarotti once said, “Franc, if you have to stop living to sing, stop singing.”

D’Ambrosio stressed this point further.

“I spend little time with high maintenance people. Life off-stage is full of adventure, not drama. I stay with good friends and drink good wine. I don’t let my mind get ahead of me, and I am careful about sleep.”

Beyond success in movies, opera and Broadway, D’Ambrosio explained his motivation.

“When you do what you love, it gives you energy. My Catholic faith is the center of my life, focusing on putting God first and nothing else … that’s how I live, to live for happiness and peace.”

Happy Easter, dear readers!

 

Comments are closed.

Advertise Here
Advertise Here