ANÚNA, THE ORIGINAL RIVERDANCE CHOIR, MAKES U.S. SOLO DEBUT IN HOLIDAY CONCERT ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH, MONDAY, DECEMBER 16 AT 7:30 P.M.

A Concert Celebration of Sacred Music and Celtic Favorites Features Highlights from Anúna’s New CD, Winter Songs Special Performances by The Anúna Dancers

Since their departure from the popular Irish dance spectacular Riverdance – The Show in 1996, the internationally-renowned Celtic choir Anúna has dazzled audiences in eleven European countries and around the world. In December 2002, Ireland’s most famous and original choir makes their U.S. solo debut with a holiday concert celebrating the release of their latest CD, Winter Songs.

The concert, produced with the support of The Irish Arts Center and Irish America Magazine and featuring special performances by The Anúna Dancers, will take place at St. Bartholomew’s Church, located on Park Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in Manhattan, on Monday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will benefit the Irish Arts Center as part of its 30th anniversary celebration.

Best known as the original Riverdance choir, Anúna was founded in 1987 by Dublin composer Michael McGlynn in order to explore and redefine the music of the ancient Celts. Michael’s twin brother, John McGlynn, created the artistic, atmospheric staging that has become the trademark of the unique choral group, whose enchanting musical style blends rich Celtic traditions with classical and new age sounds. During their illustrious career, Anúna has performed and recorded throughout the world with artists as diverse as Elvis Costello, Sting, Michael Crawford, the Chieftains, Barry Manilow, Jeff Buckley, Secret Garden, Sinéad O’Connor, and Andrea Corr.

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WINTER SONG

Anúna’s latest recording, Winter Songs, released exclusively in the United States by Danú Records in November 2002, features Michael McGlynn’s stirring arrangements of traditional and modern holiday favorites, including “Ríu Ríu” and “The Wexford Carol,” as well as new recordings of “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,” “The Coventry Carol,” “Christmas Day,” “O Holy Night,” and “Ther is no Ros.” Other recordings include Invocation, Cynara, Behind the Closed Eye, Deep Dead Blue, Omnis, Riverdance – the Show.

Tickets for Anúna’s holiday concert, priced at $100, $75, and $50, can be purchased at the St. Bartholomew’s Church Box Office, via phone at (212) 378-0248, or online at www.stbarts.org.

For more information, please contact Lisa at the Irish Arts Center via phone at (212) 757-3318, x209, online at irishartscenter@yahoo.com, or www.irishartscenter.org; or visit the official Anúna website at www.anuna.ie.

Review by:
Intercultural Niche Strategies
11 Broadway Suite 1063
New York, NY 10004
www.nichestrategies.com

Published by: Capital Celtic Network
Year Written: 2002