Remo Fernandes pens opera in tribute to Mother Teresa

Double album features 26 songs about her life and work.

Remo Fernandes.

Now settled in Portugal, Remo Fernandes suffered a debilitating backache three years ago. While house-bound, the Indian singer was reminded of two important tasks that had to be completed before he “kicked the bucket”.

One was to complete a musical project that had been set aside for 27 years and the next was to finish his memoirs. The former project was finally realised in the shape of the magnum opera

Teresa and the Slum Bum . A double album, the musical features 26 songs and two instrumentals. “At the moment, there are no concrete plans to stage the musical [in a theatrical setting],” the 66-year-old musician said. “It’s up to whoever hears it, if they want to stage it. It’s a standalone album for now.”

In December 1987, at the height of his musical career, the singer was stuck in Kolkata for a day and decided to visit Mother Teresa. The septuagenarian nun made a lasting impact on Mr. Fernandes. On his return flight to Goa, the musician wrote

Welcome My Child and Take me to Calcutta . At the time, Mr. Fernandes had “fame, fortune and the works” but he was wondering how he could give back to the less privileged.

Teresa and the Slum Bum features 35 singers from India, Europe, the U.S. and the U.K. who have all contributed to the album pro bono. Mr. Fernandes himself has played all the instruments.

All funds raised will go to “to the poorest of the poor” through a charitable organisation based in India, Mr. Fernandes said.