Alex Sharpe

Not to be confused with Alex Sharp.
Alex Sharpe
Born Alexandria Sharpe
(1972-05-04) 4 May 1972
Ireland
Occupation
  • Singer
Years active 1991–present

Musical career

Genres
Labels
Associated acts
Website www.alexsharpe.org

Alexandria Sharpe (born 4 May 1972) is an Irish soprano singer and performer mostly known for her live roles in London's West End and on the Irish stage (both the Olympic and Gaiety Theatres). She is well-known for performing with Celtic Woman from 2008 to 2010.

She was a featured soloist at Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th birthday celebration (2008) with the RTE Orchestra and she released a solo album titled Be Still My Soul at 2014.

Career

She began her career at 1991 by portraying Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin.[1] Her career in Musical Theatre continued, as she played Janet in The Rocky Horror Show, Young Sally in Follies in Concert, Jenny in Aspects of Love, and Mila in Aloha Kamano by Sean Purcell.[1] She was asked to play Éponine in Les Misérables for the Cameron Mackintosh Company in England and Ireland and in the Concert Tour of Les Misérables.[1][2] Alex created the role of Bernadette in the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Ben Elton Musical The Beautiful Game. On her return to Ireland she played the role of Kate Foley in The Wireman in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.[1]

Alex has sung with the Icelandic Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Danish National Symphony, and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. She has made many recordings, such as on the Evita film Soundtrack with Madonna.[1][2] She has appeared at a concert for the Princes Trust in the Mayflower Theatre, England, and in 2006 she travelled to Chicago to launch the musical The Pirate Queen as principal female.[1]

At 2014 she released her first solo album "Be Still My Soul" produced by Andrew Holdsworth, which is a collection of hymnal and Easy listening classical songs.

Celtic Woman

When founding member of Celtic Woman Lisa Kelly went on maternity leave, Sharpe became a temporary member of the ensemble in 2008, saying that "I'm just in for this tour," and "It's a different style than I'm used to. But I've enjoyed learning the technique. My background is musical theatre, so this is something very different for me...But my philosophy is, you're always growing as a performer. There's always so much to learn."[3] She admits that before she joined, she was not familiar with the group's music; "I'd never seen any of their shows...David (Downes, composer and music director of Celtic Woman) gave me a CD and some DVDs, and that was the first time I'd seen any of it."[3] However, "I knew about the success of Celtic Woman and was thrilled to join," she said. "It was an opportunity I couldn't say no to."[4]

In 2009, Sharpe became a permanent member of Celtic Woman, in effect replacing Órla Fallon. She has said that "The other members have been really encouraging," and "They have such a history together. I've never been in anything with such a high profile; usually you're much more anonymous."[3] She has toured with the ensemble on their 2009 'Isle of Hope' tour, and has recorded a CD and DVD with the group, both entitled Celtic Woman: Songs from the Heart, released in January 2010.[5] The group toured North America from February to May 2010 on their 'Songs from the Heart' tour.[6] After the tour finished, Sharpe announced she would be leaving Celtic Woman to be with her family full-time.[7]

With the group she performed for President Obama and also at Radio City Music Hall. In early 2015 it was announced that she would rejoin Celtic Woman for two months (May and June) of their Tenth Anniversary tour.

Personal life

When asked where she developed her musical talent, she has said that "my granddad was a great one for singing songs and banging out tunes on the piano."[4] Also, "I love 'Abide With Me' and 'I Know That My Redeemer Lives'...I love singing hymns. Music is a very powerful thing. I've heard it said that music prepares a man's soul to receive the gospel."[4]

Sharpe is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[4]

She is the middle child and has two brothers and a son, Jacob; "When I had my son, he became my passion in life", she said. "I tried to stay home and take work that wouldn't compromise my relationship with my son."[4]

Discography

Solos

Singles

Other contributions

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Alex Sharpe bio at Celtic Woman
  2. 1 2 "Music to Your Ears". Irish Abroad. 12 March 2008. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Singer stretches range as Celtic Woman sub", Flint Entertainment, Jeff Rauschert, 10 April 2008
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Walsh, Robert (22 April 2008). "LDS singer on stage with Celtic Woman". Mormon Times. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 24 January 2010.
  5. ↑ "Irish Music Phenomenon Celtic Woman Brings New Tour to Hershey", Giant Center, 10 December 2009
  6. ↑ Turtinen, Melissa. "Celtic Woman sings from the heart". The Irish Emigrant. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  7. ↑ Sharpe, Alex (2010). "It has been a great joy...". CelticWoman.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.

External links

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