Daniel Rodriguez (1964-05-24; Brooklyn, New York) is an operatic tenor from New York City. He became known as "The Singing Policeman" in his former work with the New York City Police Department, due to his role as one of the department's designated National Anthem singers. In the aftermath of the September 11th terror attacks, he received widespread attention with his rendition of God Bless America, which he sang at memorial events and on television. This led to an offer of formal training from Placido Domingo. He has now recorded several albums, appeared in opera, in symphony concerts, and performs in support of several charities.

Biography

Early years

Of Puerto Rican descent, Rodriguez was born on May 24th in 1964 in Brooklyn, New York. His entire family was interested in music, with both his father and grandfather singing and others playing various musical instruments.^[1] Rodriguez also cites the singing of Mario Lanza as an important musical influence.^[2] At the age of ten, Rodriguez began to study singing in earnest, attending the American Youth Repertory Company in Manhattan, where he would later act as assistant director.^[3][4] When Rodriguez was 12 years old, a prominent figure in the New York music industry began giving him free voice lessons, and arranged for his first recital in Studio 856 at Carnegie Hall when Rodriguez was 16. A year later he gave another recital at Carnegie's Weill Hall.^[5][6] During his early years, he studied with Aldo Bruschi, Juilliard-trained Elliot Dorfman, and Miraslov Markoff from the Moscow Ballet and Opera company.

After marrying at 19 and having a son, Rodriguez's mentor decided that he was not keeping music as his first priority, and withdrew his support in disapproval. With this loss of an important connection in the music world, Rodriguez became depressed and stopped pursuing a singing career for five years.^[5] He worked at many different jobs, including short order cook, caterer, taxi driver, truck driver, and postal worker, before finally joining the police force.^[1] At 25, Rodriguez decided to once again attempt a music career, beginning by performing in concerts he developed himself, and eventually organizing an ensemble of musicians called Broadway Magic.^[7]

Career Highlights

Rodriguez entered the New York City Police Academy in 1995.^[5] After singing at his own graduation, he was chosen as one of the designated National Anthem singers in the NYPD's ceremonial division.^[8] New York City Mayor Rudolph Guiliani who had seen Rodriguez perform at various events, used his influence to arrange an audition for him at the Metropolitan Opera. His lack of classical training proved an insurmountable obstacle, however, and the Met dismissed him after he had sung but two notes.^[1] In 2001, he was the subject of a Cable News Network special about a New York City police officer who had sung at Carnegie Hall.^[9]

Rodriguez was on duty in New York City at the time of the September 11th terrorist attack, and was two blocks away from the World Trade Center when it collapsed.^[10] Performing at many post 9/11 events, he received much media attention for his performances of "God Bless America".^[11] He was soon appearing on news and talk shows including, The Today Show, The Early Show, Larry King Live, The David Letterman Show, and Live with Regis and Kelly.^[12][13][14]

Rodriguez performed at the September 23rd, 2001 "Prayer For America" concert, honoring the victims of the September 11th terror attacks. Placido Domingo, who was also on the bill, heard him sing and invited him to attend the Domingo/Vilar Young Artists Institute in Washington D.C. for 18 months of opera study.^[15][16][17]

Rodriguez's first performance before a world-wide audience occurred at the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, followed by the 2002 Ford's Theater Gala Celebration, attended by President George W. Bush.^[18][19] Other Capitol Hill performances were the Memorial Day concerts in Washington D.C. in 2002 and 2006, and the "Celebration of Freedom" concert in January, 2005, honoring Bush's second inauguration as President.^[20][21][22] He also appeared at the Republican National Convention in New York at Madison Square Garden in 2004.^[23]

Rodriguez traveled to Monaco with the "Pipes and Drums of the Chicago Police Department", at the invitation of the IPA (International Police Association), where he sang for Albert II, Prince of Monaco.^[24] He also sang at a Memorial Mass at New York City's Cathedral of Saint Patrick, for His Serene Highness Rainier III, Prince of Monaco who passed away April 6, 2005. ^[25]

With his emerging success as a singer of both popular and classical music, Rodriguez retired from the police department in May of 2004.^[10] He made his operatic debut as Canio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci in New York City with the Chelsea Opera Company in June of 2006,^[11][26] and in December performed in the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland on an eight-city tour in association with the Hour of Power.^[27]

Philanthropy

In 2005, Rodriguez began a project called "Songs for the Soldiers", to provide CDs in USO care packages for deployed troops.^[28] He also makes regular appearances in association with ArtAID, The Jimmy V Foundation, The City of Hope National Medical Center, and the United Service Organizations.^[29][30][31] In 2003 he was awarded the first Raúl Juliá Award, by the Puerto Rican Family Institute, in appreciation of his charitable work.^[32]

Recordings

In December of 2001, a single, God Bless America: We Will Go On, was released by Manhattan Records, with a spoken introduction by then-New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Rodriguez and the record company donated all profits from the recording (over $150,000) to the Twin Towers Fund for the benefit of the victims of the September 11 attacks.^[33] His first album, Spirit of America, followed in 2002. In 2003 Manhattan Records released two additional albums, From My Heart and Be My love. His latest album, a collection of spiritual songs entitled In The Presence, was released by Blix Street Records in 2005.^[34] The album includes two duets with Lea Salonga, Panis Angelicus and Pie Jesu, the latter from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem.

Rodriguez has also performed on several other albums, including A tribute to Ronald Reagan; Stand Ye Steady, with the West Point Glee Club; and an album produced by the Crystal Cathedral, in tribute to the late Johnnie Carl.

References

External links

• Official Website
• Tribute Website
• Official Group and Mailing List