A Short History of The Celtic Tenors
In June 1995, James Nelson, Paul Hennessy and Ronan Tynan – “The Three Irish Tenors” – gave their debut performance in Carlow Cathedral. Following the debut concert, Ronan left the group. In October 1995, the new line-up of James Nelson, Paul Hennessy and Niall Morris made their “Three Irish Tenors” debut on RTE’s “Theatre Nights” live from Goffs in County Kildare. There followed a highly successful nation-wide tour, several sell-out shows at Dublin’s National Concert Hall, as well as numerous TV appearances on “The Late Late Show”, “Live at 3”, “Head to Toe” (for a makeover!) and “The Rose of Tralee”. In 1998, due to his blossoming solo career and family commitments, Paul Hennessy withdrew from the group. The young Meath tenor Matthew Gilsenan seemed like the obvious choice as replacement. In 1999, “The Three Irish Tenors” (James, Matthew and Niall) alongside Rebecca Storm had a sell-out summer season at Clontarf Castle (137 shows in all!), and in March 2000 there followed a very successful tour of the USA. By this time “The Three (Young) Irish Tenors” were fortunate to have been taken under the wing of Pat Egan who set up an impromptu audition in the EMI boardroom in London’s Baker Street, which is by now famous as it resulted in the group’s world-wide record deal. Despite being the first trio of Irish Tenors on the Irish music scene, the boys were persuaded to change their name to avoid any further confusion. This was the birth of “The Celtic Tenors”. See www.celtictenors.com . The Celtic Tenors" debut album immediately shot to Number 1 in the classical charts, and retained a healthy position in the pop charts. It became ‘the first Christmas Number 1 Classical album of the New Millennium’ in Ireland! The 3 boys successfully took the concept of 'the tenor' into cool new territory by essentially breaking the tenor mould a little! ‘Celtic Crossover’ had become another new genre. A prominent Irish musician once said that “The Celtic Tenors do to Irish tenor singing what ‘Riverdance’ did to Irish dance”. The Celtic Tenors’ distinctive use of their own three-part harmonies set them aside from other tenor trios. The Sunday Independent described their sound as "a thoughtful fusion of opera and trad...their a capella 'Danny Boy' quite literally breathes new life into a tired old standard and serves to illustrate the sheer innovation of 'the Celtic Tenor sound'...it's a breath of fresh air to see real talent nurtured by a big label." (Sunday Independent, 8/10/2000) The Celtic Tenors’ 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. 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 continued to move from strength to strength. The second change of line-up officially came in June 2007 when Niall Morris, after a year’s break, finally decided to leave the group to pursue other interests. Daryl Simpson, from Omagh, who had been standing in for Niall, turned down a lucrative offer from one of Europe’s leading Opera Houses in order to immediately accept the position left vacant by Niall. In 2008, the Celtic Tenors were taken on by new International management – Tim Bernett, Deep Blue Arts, Los Angeles – as well as joining the roster of several new agencies (See Contacts). The Tenors were also delighted to secure the services of Colm Henry as their new Musical Director – an incredibly talented musician from County Wicklow. www.myspace.com/colmhenry In 2009, the Celtic Tenors’ 5th album – “Hard Times” (an album of North American songs, recorded in Hollywood, LA) – was released on the Compass Records label in the USA, and on the Wrasse label in the UK. The Tenors' 6th album is already in production. The Tenors have also just recorded their second PBS TV Special (this time with Maryland Public Television), which was released coast to coast in the USA in March2010. For further information check out www.celtictenors.com 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 live shows overflowing with vitality and variety from start to finish. Come see one…soon! Check the Dates page on www.celtictenors.com . Hear the Celtic Tenors sing “The Holy City” with the Munster
Rugby Supporters Choir on RTE’s “Late Late Show” by clicking
on the link below: |
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