Immenso Amore is music to celebrate the life of Christ, featuring adaptations of songs originally recorded by Andrea Bocelli with sacred English lyrics and narration by William Barnett.

About

Immenso Amore (Immense Love) was created from the mind and heart of William Barnett due to his love for the music of world renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and also his love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Hearing the beautiful music repeatedly, Bill one day questioned to himself, “If I were to set this beautiful music to a sacred theme, what would this song be about?” The answer to this question has resulted in over sixteen of the Italian songs sung by Andrea Bocelli now having been set to sacred English text. In addition, the songs seemed to tell about their significant events in the life of Christ. This realization let Mr. Barnett to begin to write narration to connect the songs and form an abbreviated version of the life of Christ. Furthermore, Mr. Barnett envisioned the use of sacred art as a multimedia presentation to make the concert even more meaningful to worshipers. His search for fine art depicting events in the life of Christ led Mr. Barnett to discover Immanuel, God with Us: The Life of Christ in Art by the artist and author Robert Doares. During the live performance of Immenso Amore scenes by the artist Robert Doares are viewed at moments throughout the songs and narrations. The entire work consists of two parts, Part One, “I Am the Resurrection,” and Part Two, “I Am the Life.”

William Barnett, Tenor A native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Mr. Barnett holds vocal music degrees from Arkansas State University and the University of Mississippi. He formerly directed high school choirs in Arkansas and was Music Minister in many Arkansas churches for twenty-seven years. Bill and his wife LouAnn live in Rogers, Arkansas, where he is President of Security Asset Management, LLC a Christian financial services firm. They have three sons and one granddaughter. In loving memory of their parents, Rev. and Mrs. Fomby Barnett and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hudson, proceeds from most appearances are retained by the sponsoring church or non-profit organization to further their ministries for Christ.

Brian Steele, Baritone The narrator of Immenso Amore has been a fixture in the Kansas City music scene for thirty years, appearing in untold numbers of musical productions both concert and operatic. He was for many years the leading baritone with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City and appeared with other opera companies in the US, Europe and the Orient. Mr. Steele is currently the Director of Congregational Life with Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe, KS. He and his wife Dian have three daughters and five grandchildren.