From left to right: Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Máiréad Nesbitt, Lisa Kelly
A touch of love-of-the-Irish is all that’s needed to be a fan of Celtic Woman. This uplifting, four-woman act is known for its heaven-enchanting vocals and sometimes extensive—always interesting—array of instruments, such as its signature Uilleann (pronounced ill-inn) Pipes. Stretching the heels of Riverdance, the young ladies have struck the chord of international hearts, and soon, local fans can marvel in person.
In 2004, Musical Director David Downes, now an Emmy Nominee, and Sharon Brown, now musical director of Celtic Thunder, invented the concept as a single-event production. But audiences insisted the show go on.
The performers have changed through the group’s evolution, but Downes’ creation has not: Irish traditional music sung by ethereal women in chiffon. Fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt and vocalists Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly and Chloë Agnew perform spirited Celtic fiddle and bodhrán (Irish hand drum) pieces, lush arrangements of Irish classics, contemporary covers and original compositions. The group’s popularity has earned them performances on the Today Show, Dancing with the Stars, PBS, Live with Regis and Kelly and even at the White House.
“We never expected to be where we are today,” Chloë Agnew told In&Out. “And, we’re so lucky to be affiliated with PBS. When we started, we were something very new and very different, and it struck the right kind of chords.” Agnew explained, “Because there are so many [Americans] with Irish in them, coming out and listening to two hours of music connects them to their culture, to their ancestors.”
At the upcoming Prescott Valley show, Celtic Woman will cover contemporaries, like Sting’s Fields of Gold, Billy Joel’s Good Night My Angel; classical pieces, such as Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Pie Jesu; traditional fare, including My Lagan Love, Nil Sé’n Lá, The Call; and songs from their fifth, and most recent CD, Celtic Woman—Songs from the Heart.
“We always want to make the show better because we know people are spending their hard-earned money to come. This year, it’s a completely new set— with new costumes, new choreography and new music with a handful of favorites. There is something for everybody,” said Agnew.
Also new to the ensemble is bag piper Anthony Byrne, who has performed with U2 and Riverdance. Accompaniments include an extreme rhythmic drummer duo, a bodhran, a six-member choir and a seven-piece band.
The Prescott Valley show will be followed by the North American tour’s final performance in Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colo. After that, the women are off to Australia for a third leg of the tour. Agnew told In&Out the group hopes to return to the United States next year.
By Lara Piu
In&Out Magazine
Anthem, AZ
Monday, August 30 2010
