-: THE CELTIC TENORS

THE CELTIC TENORS The Celtic Tenors have established themselves as the most successful Classical Crossover artists ever to have come out of Ireland, and continue to re-invent the whole "Tenor" idiom. Signed on the spot to an international record deal in London in 2000, their first album went on to achieve double platinum status in their homeland, Number 1 in Ireland and Germany, Number 2 in the UK, and won them the "Echo Award" for "Best Classical Crossover Act" in Germany. A full-length TV Special "Ein Grosser Irischer Abend" was broadcast to millions on German television, and then released as a coast-to-coast TV Special on PBS in the USA "Celebrate with the Celtic Tenors". There swiftly followed a second album "So Strong" recorded at Abbey Road Studios , produced by the legendary Mike Moran, of Queen and Freddie Mercury fame. Their third album "The Irish Album" was recorded at home with those legends of Irish folk "The Dubliners." The Celtic Tenors have all had classical training, sung leading roles with top opera companies, performed in oratorio and concerts worldwide, and continue to show great flexibility in melding their voices to suit the appropriate Classical, folk, Irish and pop genres. Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson combine their unique voices, character and wit to provide a show overflowing with vitality and variety from start to finish. Their latest album, produced by David Munro and Calum Malcolm (Blue Nile), features such guests as Samantha Mumba, Brian Kennedy and the 80s super-group Air Supply, and has already reached Number 4 in the Canadian Charts, and the Top Ten in the US Billboard Charts. This album was released on the Dara label in Ireland under the title "We are not islands", and on the Telarc label worldwide as "Remember Me". Another exciting guest on this album is one of the brightest new talents to emerge on the Classical Crossover scene, the versatile soprano Deirdre Shannon. Deirdre has appeared in concert with many distinguished artists, including The Celtic Tenors. The Celtic Tenors were invited to sing for former US President Bill Clinton during a visit to Dublin Castle, and later in a private audience for Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, and his wife Nanne - at the request of U2's front-man Bono. With a total album sales worldwide, including compilations, of over one million, and a full international touring schedule, The Celtic Tenors continue to move from strength to strength. Catch the Celtic Tenors, along with their young and incredibly talented Musical Director Colm Henry, and their exciting young soprano guest Donna Malone, somewhere on tour. Enjoy the eclectic mix of classical, folk, Irish and pop. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
MATTHEW GILSENAN Matthew Gilsenan was born into a hard-working farming family in North Meath. Steeped in the local musical traditions and raised by parents who shared a great love for music, from the great composers to obscure Irish folk, Matthew (along with all his siblings) was born to sing. His classical training started in the Sisters of Mercy convent in Kells, Co.Meath, aged 10, and progressed to some of the great Irish and Scottish teachers. Although he ventured into opera and classical singing, Matthew never lost his love for the music of his youth, in particular the vibrant contemporary Irish music which is his great source of inspiration. Matthew's busy singing life ran in parallel with his engineering career, but his desire to sing was too strong, and ten years ago he turned to singing professionally. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
JAMES NELSON James Nelson, from Sligo in the heart of "Yeats Country", is a BA.,B.Mus (Honours) graduate from University College Dublin, and a student of Edith Forrest (Dublin), David Harper (London) and Britta Sundberg (Stockholm). Hiohlights from an oratorio repertoire of more than 60 works include Golgotha (Martin) in Bern and Z�rich, and the Narrator in L� Enfance du Christ (Berlioz) alongside Katia Ricciarelli in Rome and Florence. James has performed more than 50 operatic roles, including Pinkerton (Butterfly) in Kent, Lensky (Onegin), Alfredo (Traviata) in Italy, Tichon (Katya Kabanova) in Portugal, Snout/Wall (Midsummer Night's Dream) in Singapore, Basilio (Figaro) under the baton of Raymond Leppard for Scottish Opera, and roles for Opera Ireland, Opera Theatre Co., New Israeli Opera and the Wexford and Buxton Festivals. James writes a column for the "Sligo Weekender". He has recently become part of an ongoing building project in Kenya, helping house, feed and educate some of the orphans from Kibera slum in Nairobi. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
DARYL SIMPSON Daryl Simpson, from Omagh in Northern Ireland, studied singing with tenors Peter Alexander Wilson and Nicolai Gedda, and completed his Opera Masters Degree at the Alexander Gibson Opera School in Glasgow. Daryl joined Opera Theatre Company's "Young Associate Artist Scheme", performing in many recitals and broadcasts, and in Monteverdi's Coronation of Poppea. Daryl furthered his studies at Z�rich�'s "Internationales Opern Studio", where he sang Tamino (Die Zauberfl�te), and roles in Les Mamelles de Tir�sias (Poulenc) for Oper Z�rich. As well as performing worldwide on the concert platform, Daryl is also the Musical Director of the Omagh Community Youth Choir, which was set up in the wake of the Omagh atrocity to promote peace and reconciliation through music. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
COLM HENRY (MUSICAL DIRECTOR) Colm Henry, from Manor Kilbride in picturesque County Wicklow - the Garden of Ireland - was immersed in music from a young age, joining the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland as a trombonist at the age of 12. Colm went on to graduate from University College Dublin with a First Class Honours Bachelor of Music Degree (B.Mus Hons) in 2005. An article by Colm entitled "Canonic Devices and Techniques in Bach's Orgelbuchlein" was published in "The Musicology Review". Since that time Colm has been pursuing a busy performance and recording schedule with many of Ireland's foremost artists, including Clannad, Celtic Storm, Tommy Fleming, Westlife, Tony Kenny, and most recently as a member of the group Sephira. In 2006, Colm co-produced an album for "Sephira" and was part of their successful nationwide tour. Colm is delighted to be touring as a vital part of the Celtic Tenor team, and looks forward to making his US debut shortly. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :	Colm Henry, from Manor Kilbride, Co.Wicklow.
DONNA MALONE (SOPRANO) Donna Malone comes from Ballina in County Mayo, in the west of Ireland. This bright young talent emerged from a very musical family, and received her valuable early training at Ballina's St. Cecilia School of Song under the inspired direction of Lavinia Gilmartin. Donna has been described as having one of the most astonishing and mature soprano voices of her generation. Her prodigious ability at such a young age is reminiscent of the young Charlotte Church. Donna's natural stage presence and love of singing is plain for all to see. The Celtic Tenors were privileged to have had Donna appear with them as guest artist throughout the USA, Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Donna is at present pursuing advanced vocal studies with Mary Brennan at the DIT Conservatory of Music in Dublin, and is currently appearing as guest artist with the tenors. Donna is also excited to have just recorded and released her debut album, entitled "Prima" - See our online store for details. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :	Donna Malone from Ballina, Co. Mayo.

NEXT PERFORMANCE: