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"America’s Beloved Tenor" Re-Visits Mary Queen Of Heaven
By Raymond E. Dowd Daniel Rodriguez, "America’s Beloved Tenor"and the New York City police officer, whose spiritual rendition of the National Anthem, and "God Bless America" began the mending of America’s heart and soul after September 11th, 2001, brought his performance of "Broadway Magic" to Marine Park’s Mary Queen of Heaven Parish Hall on December 19th. "Coming back, it feels like coming home for the holidays," said Rodriguez who has performed at Mary Queen of Heaven each holiday season since 2001. Rodriguez announced at the performance that he would be retiring from the NYPD on May 24, 2004. Knowing he is fortunate to have been given his talent, Rodriguez said it’s not about fame, it’s "giving back" for his talent that makes the shows he does for small audiences in local churches so special and important to him. With his hectic schedule, Rodriguez will be performing in Europe and Asia in 2004 and, along with the shows he does to raise money for organizations such as MQH, he felt the time was right to retire from the NYPD.
NYPD Chaplain Monsignor David L. Cassato, along with Deputy Police Commissioner George Grasso, also attended the show in which Rodriguez was presented with a framed photo of himself at the Ebbets Field Wall of Remembrance Unveiling Ceremony and Re-dedication for members of the NYPD, NYFD, PAPD lost On September 11th. Sol Moglen, founder and Jim Dalton, director of the Wall of Rememberance Foundation at Keyspan Park, also presented a framed photo of the wall to Fr. Jamie Gigantiello, pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven Church. "Broadway Magic" Also features the talents of pianist Victoria Vlanovskaya, Richard Parately on the flute and the singing of Maryann Mootos, Jorge Novoa and 12 year old Alisa Vlanovskaya. "These talented people help me to bring a concert hall show to those who could not usually afford to go." said Rodriguez. With tunes from Broadway shows like Oklahoma and Man of LaMancha, along with classic Italian love songs, opera and holiday favorites, those in attendance were treated to a memorable evening, with all the proceeds going to benefit the programs of the MQH parish.
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