When I went to listen to Franc D’Ambrosio for the first time, it was on the recent Queen Mary 2 cruise by RSVP. My friends have always sung his praises but I must admit I had not had the honor of hearing him perform in person or on recording. That night, not expecting a big crowd, I slowly made my way to the lounge where D’Ambrosio was performing expecting to easily find a seat and sit back for a good evening.

When I got to the corridor leading to the lounge where Franc was to perform, I was amazed. Already huge crowds were spilling out into the hallways and inside the lounge they seem to be hanging from the rafters and covering ever square inch of the floor. My friends, who clearly had more common sense than me, arrived early and saved me a seat, much to my good fortune. There was an excitement in the air. This was to be Franc’s second performance on the cruise and the word of mouth about this talented singer was spectacular.

Out from the sidelines bounced this handsome stud with short hair and riveting eyes and a smile that would protect all her Majesty’s ships. D’Ambrosio’s charismatic demeanor demanded that you pay attention. With a spotlight turned on, a single piano accompanist and a mike, suddenly a chillingly perfect voice comes from this man. He won me over by the third note.

Shame on me for not being better informed since I should have heard of this amazing performer before now. His credits and credentials are impressive.

Franc D’Ambrosio is perhaps best know for playing the lead in the Phantom of the Opera longer than any other performer in the world. For one and half years on the road and five years in San Francisco, he performed near 3,000 times for over five million theater patrons! In addition, he was the youngest person ever to play the Phantom!

On the cruise, Franc sang selections from his Franc D’Ambrosio Broadway Tour which has been crossing America for more than two years.

For those aficionados of film, you might remember Franc from Godfather III where he played Don Corleone’s opera singing son Anthony.

As I listened that evening, I realized that it wasn’t just his magnificent pure voice but that he also was a gifted story teller who enunciated each word so you could clearly hear the lyrics. What a joy it was not to have to strain to hear the story as told by the lyrics. It was magical.

When D’Ambrosio started to sing “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables, I quite honestly dreaded hearing it one more time. That song has been sung at so many funerals of friends of mine that have died of HIV/AIDS that I didn’t’ think there was an original interpretation left. Much to my surprise, I was completely taken in by his voice and story telling that I got tears in my eyes as he sang it.

Franc D’Ambrosio is an amazing talent who deserves to be heard more widely. His CD Franc D’Ambrosio’s Broadway is a great place to start. Just a warning, you will be hooked once you start listening to this pure voice. I am.