Born in Rome in 1954, Frisina attended the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia where he received a degree in composition before entering the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary to study theology. He received a degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a license in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute. Ordained in 1982, he carries out his ministry in the Diocese of Rome. He is currently Rector of the Church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere and teaches at the Pontifical Lateran University and the University of Santa Croce. Since 1991 he has served as director of the Liturgical Office of the Vicariate of Rome and master of the Pontifical Lateran Choir.

In 1984 he founded - and since then directs - the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, which was created to accompany major diocesan liturgies, many of which are presided by the Holy Father. The Choir currently has 250 members and has been heard over the years in many Italian dioceses as well as in Germany, Austria, France, Malta, Poland, Czech Republic, and Israel.

That same year he also began his collaboration on an international project with RAI Italia TV. The “Bible Project” utilized Msgr. Frisina’s talents as a biblical scholar, a consultant, and as the author of the musical score. In addition to the film rendition of the "Bible Project", Frisina has also composed the soundtracks for many historical and religious-themed films for RAI and Mediaset, including Michael Strogoff, Papa John, John Paul II, Edda Ciano, Callas and Onassis and his latest works for Pompeii , Puccini and I prefer Paradise. Frisina has authored numerous liturgical songs known and appreciated in Italy and abroad and has worked on projects with Italian and international artists. These include Silent Night. A Christmas in Rome with the Chieftains leader Paddy Moloney and Della Torre, a CD recorded in 2000 by Italian superstar, Mina, for whom he composed the songs" Magnificat "and" Nada te Turbe". He has composed and performed before Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI and has created 20 sacred oratorios inspired by biblical characters and the lives of great saints. In 1997 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II Pontifical Academy of Distinguished Professor Virtuoso Academy of Fine Arts and Literature of the Virtuosi of the Pantheon. He was responsible for a number of important musical events at the Great Jubilee of 2000, World Youth Day, and, more recently, the RAI event "The Bible Day and Night” - the longest live television broadcast in history.

In 2007 he composed the opera The Divine Comedy, the first musical rendition of Dante Alighieri’s masterpiece, acclaimed by both the public and critics as breathtaking and seen by nearly 700,000 people since it was first introduced. In January 2009 he released his second work for the theater, The Miracle of Marcellino, based on the novel by Jose Maria Sanchez Silva Marcellino Pane e Vino.

He recently performed at the celebrations in the Vatican for the beatifications of both Mother Theresa of Calcutta and Pope John Paul II. At Pope John Paul II’s beatification ceremony, Frisina appeared with the Choir of the Pope’s Diocese. They performed pieces that he composed specifically for the event including the anthem, “Hymn to the Blessed Pope John Paul II: Open the Doors for Christ.”

Site: www.marcofrisina.com

Tweet