Patrick Healy is a well know repetiteur* who has coached countless music students in his long and distinguished career. He has toured the world as an accompanist to great artists over the past fifty years.
Born in Dublin, Patrick has been involved in music his entire life. He always felt a strong compulsion driving him to the piano and has always had a passion for it. The prodigy began playing piano at age three. When he was taken to his first music teacher at six years old, he took great delight in shocking her by launching into Viennese waltzes!
While attending the Jesuit school, Belevedere, Healy developed a life-long love of the work of Gilbert and Sullivan. He attended the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and took a degree at University College in Dublin. Patrick also was awarded a scholarship to study in Rome.
After completing his studies in Rome, Healy returned to England where greater opportunities awaited. He worked with Benjamin Brittan and the English Opera Group in Aldeburgh, and went on to the Saddlers Wells Opera Company which became the English National Opera.
Patrick currently serves as accompanist to Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns on all of his solo tours. Their association began while the young tenor was studying at the Leinster School of Music with Dr. Veronica Dunne. She invited Healy to come and observe some remarkable students, and Anthony was among them.
Patrick was immediately taken with the tenor’s talent and began coaching him. Their friendship flourished, as well as a mutual respect and appreciation of each other’s talents. Healy has served as Anthony’s accompanist for over twelve years and is responsible for finding the lovely older pieces which Kearns includes in his repertoire.
In Kearns Solo Concerts, Anthony refers to Patrick as “the comedy relief for the evening.” His witty repartee throws audiences into gales of laughter and thunderous applause during the tenor’s intervals! Healy has been compared to Jack Benny in his droll, dry, delightful delivery: the Irish Victor Borge. He charms his audiences and is fondly remembered as "quite the gentleman."
In 2002, Healy wrote a lovely song for Kearns, “Hills of Home.” It combines a beautifully crafted lyric and haunting melody into a sweetly sentimental song of Irish emigration and is perfectly suited to Anthony’s voice. For the 2005 Fall Kearns Tour, Healy once again composed a special song for Anthony, "A Father's Prayer." Patrick is quoted as saying, "There are so many lovely pictures of mother and child, I wanted to create a special song from a father to his baby." This incredible song has been received with much excitement and enthusiasm. It is quite beautiful and has what it takes to become a classic lullaby: a sweet lyric, lovely music, and a masterful voice to sing it.
Patrick and Anthony recorded both songs on a 2-song
CD, "Fond Memories," during the summer of 2006.
(click the CD cover to inquire about purchasing)
Patrick has also composed two hilarious comic duets to sing with Kearns from his solo stage.
Healy now lives in the town of Derby in the beautiful Peak District of Derbyshire, England, where he enjoys gardening, when time permits.
*A repetiteur is often called the busiest person in an opera season, being the opera rehearsal pianist.
A Repetiteur ("rehearser") supervises rehearsals for opera productions, liaising with orchestras in preparation for both their rehearsals and actual performances with the opera company.
Repetiteurs are highly skilled and have extensive experience in their field.
Patrick Healy spent twelve years with the National Opera in London as a repetiteur* and accompanist. He has appeared often on the BBC and frequently served as a radio host on the RTE. Patrick is also known for his recordings and performances in the realm of Irish Folk Music, and in 1982 he was honored with a special award from The John McCormack Society.
Photos by Kris Curry
Mr. Healy is considered an authority on Gilbert and Sullivan and often produces and performs in Gilbert and Sullivan productions at the National Concert Hall in Dublin. These concerts are very popular and anticipated with great enthusiasm. Patrick’s well developed charm and wit is evident in these light-hearted, hilarious evenings.
