Classical tenor records England World Cup song

Marian · Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 709 Location: Middlesex

Friday 13th June 08

A specially recorded England team anthem for the forthcoming Rugby League World Cup has been produced.

The rousing and inspiring song titled ‘Hearts of England’ has been performed by leading classical tenor Jonathan Ansell. It has been produced by Universal Music in partnership with the RFL.

Its lyrics capture the traditions and heartlands of Rugby League in this country as well as evoking the heroism and commitment of international teams competing on the world sporting stage.

‘Hearts of England’ was written and recorded in London earlier this year and will be released later this season at a time to be confirmed in due course.

Jonathan Ansell shot to fame as the front man of the pop-opera group G4 on TV’s X Factor show and is now set to enjoy huge solo success after signing a £1 million five album deal - also with Universal.

Commenting on the new official England Rugby League team World Cup anthem, the RFL’s Marketing Manager Phil Williams said: “We believe ‘Hearts of England’ is a tremendous piece of music which will quickly become synonymous with the England Rugby League team.

“We feel it captures the excitement and passion associated with international Rugby League and will also be a great promotional tool for the sport as we work to get the English nation behind the team in the the lead-up to forthcoming World Cup tournament.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with both Jonathan Ansell and Universal Music on this exciting project.”

Williams added: “We believe supporters and music lovers will be genuinely captivated by ‘Hearts of England and we look forward to announcing our exciting plans for the release the song later this year.”

Jonathan Ansell also commented on his involvement in the project. He said: “Hearts of England is an uplifting anthem that I am proud to have recorded for the Rugby League World Cup.

“It’s fantastic to be involved with Rugby League at this historic moment in its history, and I can’t wait to get singing on the pitch before matches.”

The England Rugby League team’s official World Cup anthem ‘Hearts of England’ will be available as a download later this year. The release date and full details of how to obtain it will be available in due course.

Jonathan Ansell is currently preparing to head into the studio to record his second solo album. His first album ‘Tenor at the Movies’ went into the top 10 of the pop charts and topped the classical charts.

The tenor was brought up in Bognor Regis where both his parents were school teachers, and influenced by his mother's tapes of Pavarotti and the Three Tenors. He joined the West Sussex Boys Choir at the age of eight and also learned to play the violin and trumpet.

The England team play in the opening game of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup against Papua New Guinea in Townsville, North Queensland on Saturday 25 October.

http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=10800

This is the bit I like!!

jonfan · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 229

Wonderful news Marian, what an honour for Jonathan,I bet he is chuffed to bits, cant wait to hear the song ,

cathyk2002 · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 763

Great find Marian - he does get about a bit Wink

Maybe he'll manage over for the first match as he'll be on Tour during the rest Wink

GAME DATE VENUE MATCH

1 Sat, 25 Oct 08 18:55 Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville England v PNG

2 Sun, 26 Oct 08 17:25 Canberra Stadium Scotland v France

3 Sun, 26 Oct 08 19:55 Sydney Football Stadium Official Opening Ceremony Australia v NZ

4 Mon, 27 Oct 08 18:55 Parramatta Stadium Tonga v Ireland

5 Fri, 31 Oct 08 18:55 CUA Stadium, Penrith Samoa v Tonga

6 Sat, 1 Nov 08 17:25 WIN Stadium, Wollongong Fiji v France

7 Sat, 1 Nov 08 18:55 Skilled Park, Gold Coast New Zealand v PNG

8 Sun, 2 Nov 08 19:55 Telstra Dome, Melbourne Australia v England

9 Wed, 5 Nov 08 17:25 Bluetongue Stadium, Central Coast Scotland v Fiji

10 Wed, 5 Nov 08 19:55 Parramatta Stadium Ireland v Samoa

11 Sat, 8 Nov 08 20:55 Browne Park, Rockhampton Pool (2-2) v (2-3)

12 Sat, 8 Nov 08 19:55 Energy Australia Stadium, Newcastle England v NZ

13 Sun, 9 Nov 08 17:25 CUA Stadium, Penrith Pool (3-2) v (3-3)

14 Sun, 9 Nov 08 18:55 Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville PNG v Australia

15 Mon, 10 Nov 08 18:55 Skilled Stadium, Gold Coast Semi-final Qualifier Pool (1-2) v (1-3)

16 Sat, 15 Nov 08 18:55 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Semi Final (1)

17 Sun, 16 Nov 08 19:55 Sydney Football Stadium Semi Final (2)

18 Sat, 22 Nov 08 18:55 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane FINAL
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nataliegooner · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 254

Marian
I am beginning to think you are really super sluth and being in garment trade is just a ruse Laughing

You are super duper in finding out things what will we do with out you
Thank you very much
If Jonathan does fly out he going to be one very tired lad mind you he likely to fly 1st class Very Happy

Thats one event we cant support him in being there but we there in spirit

Molly · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 563

Thank you so much Marian. :kiss:

You are a supersleuth supreme!

How wonderful for Jonathan.

I cant wait to hear the song - so fabulous for him to have an original song too - loving the write up!

Thanks for the schedule Cathy.

Love Molly xx
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E05297535 · Joined: Sep 21, 2007 Posts: 129

Glad to read about this too...well done Marian and Cathy.....always finding info about the great man himself at the right times!! Wink

cathyk2002 · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 763

He could possibly manage the first game as it is outwith the Tour (just), but the rest wouldn't be feasible with the distance to travel.

Hopefully, he'll get on the pitch at other games before then though Very Happy

With the capaidty of the stadiums adn then TV coverage, a good platform for promo if it is shown on TV, which major games usually are Wink

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Marian · Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 709 Location: Middlesex

What a fantastic opportunity for Jonathan! Such a privilege to be asked to do this. He is so good at these type of songs, stirring and passionate. I do hope it will be heard world wide such great exposure to get his name 'out there'

I do hope he gets the chance to sing before one of the games, he so enjoys a stadium audience. The lad was born to perform!! Very Happy

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Marian X

http://www.jonathanansell.com

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JessicaL · Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 622 Location: Belfast

Brilliant news -so pleased for Jonathan Very Happy

can't wait to hear this track and so hopeing we'll get to see Jonathan singing at some coming matches Very Happy

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anima · Joined: Jan 08, 2008 Posts: 53

Great news! Don't know what I'd do without this site & you jon fans to find up all the news about him! xxx

Marian · Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 709 Location: Middlesex

Hi Anima,

It is certainly worth keeping an eye out on here as Jonathan is really packing it all in this year and something new crops up every week!! Very Happy

Hope you will be able to come to an event at some point as it would be good to meet up and finally put a face to the name! Smile

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Marian X

http://www.jonathanansell.com

http://polls.theinternetforum.co.uk/poll2/index.php?dispid=73