Voted Best Male Classical Crossover Artist of 2011, Mario Frangoulis will present “Simple Miracles,” an inspirational concert to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Worcester’s Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Saturday, October 25 at the Hanover Theater for the Performing Arts in New England. Frangoulis is thrilled to be taking part in the festivities honoring such a distinguished institution that has provided spiritual comfort for generations of people.

“My singing career has taken me all over the world, and I’ve been so impressed and inspired by people of all faiths and nationalities,” says Frangoulis. “I’m very moved when I see people united by their religious beliefs come together to create good for their communities and make the world a better place. This is precisely what the Greek Orthodox Church in Worcester has accomplished for a remarkable full century.”

The Church, located on Russell Street next to scenic Elm Park, is an active parish with more than a dozen ministries, a weekly food pantry that serves the community at large (together with the Worcester Food Bank) and several programs for the youth and elderly. The Cathedral just unveiled a new multi-million dollar family center, designed as a meeting place for Orthodox Christians from all over New England.

“It’s so fitting that Mario Frangoulis chose to call his concert, ‘Simple Miracles’,” says Rev. Dean Paleologos, a native of Peabody who has led the parish for 25 years. “Miracles continue here within our Church, not just for the city of Worcester, but for the entire Commonwealth. The legacy of St. Spyridon Cathedral is tremendous…one of many people working together to create a better place for their families and to help those around us who are in need. We are so lucky to have the magnificent Mario Frangoulis perform a benefit concert, so we can raise much needed funds to carry on this legacy.”

Frangoulis, often described as “Bocelli with a twist,” will be visiting Worcester for the first time. But, he is well known to fans in New England, where he has performed several times before. Most recently, in Boston, Frangoulis sang with the legendary Boston Pops orchestra and famed Maestro Keith Lockhart, presenting moving songs from his new CD “Beautiful Things.” The show is currently airing on public television stations across the country.

The show in Worcester will feature an inspiring international repertoire in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Italian, French and Greek) and will be a signature “Mario Frangoulis” performance—reaching across languages and cultures to bring people together through beautiful and soothing music. Frangoulis will sing some of his most popular songs, including ‘Vincero, Perdero,’ ‘Nights in White Satin,’ Caruso,’ and ‘Beautiful Things’ (to name a few).

Joining Frangoulis on stage will be the Mexican singer, Mayeli Burquette, lead singer of the Barandela Big Band of Mexico. Mayeli, known as the “Angel of Swing,” performs jazz, blues and doo wop in both Spanish and English. Frangoulis invited Mayeli as his guest artist because of his love for Mexico, where he has performed several times. He also credits his Spanish/Mexican friends Alfredo Kraus, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras and Alejandro Fernandez for influencing and enhancing his career.

Proceeds from the performance will support many of the educational, cultural and spiritual programs of the Church, as well as the Orthodox Food Pantry (which feeds 200 families per month together with the Worcester Food Bank) and St. Spyridon’s Board of Education certified pre-school.

Tickets can be purchased through the box office at the Hanover Theater, 1-877-571-7469 or http://thehanovertheatre.org/

About the artist

Mario Frangoulis speaks five languages and was born in Africa. He was raised in Greece, after violence in the former Rhodesia separated him from his parents. He later graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and was immediately discovered by the legendary producer Cameron Mackintosh who cast Mario as Marius in the theater production of Les Miserables. Frangoulis also won the role of Tony in the production of West Side Story at La Scala, Milan to great critical acclaim. Mario went on to record 16 solo albums and a myriad of compilation albums. In 2007, he joined forces with other superstars like Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Natalie Merchant and Madeleine Peyroux in support of a compilation album called “Give Us Your Poor,” to raise money for a national campaign to end homelessness in the USA. Because of his own challenges as a child, Frangoulis devotes much of his time and talents to organizations that assist children…as the Global Ambassador of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, which provides privately funded scholarships to the highest risk, highest potential children in the US and Canada (average family income of $15,000). He is a Good Will ambassador for UNESCO in Greece and WCCCI (World Centers of Compassion for Children International) for refugee children in Europe, founded by Nobel Peace Laureate Betty Williams.

Proceeds from the performance will support many of the educational, cultural and spiritual programs of the Church, as well as the Orthodox Food Pantry (which feeds 200 families per month together with the Worcester Food Bank) and St. Spyridon’s Board of Education certified pre-school.