A New Journey

‘I, being poor, have only my dreams.’ So wrote the great Irish poet William Butler Yeats. He might just as well have been writing of his country as of himself. Ireland, until relatively recently, was a poor nation, impeded by its tragic history and scarred by the painful memories of famine and mass emigration. Even when things were at their worst, however, the people of Ireland have always remained spirited and vivacious. Poetry, music and dance have long sustained the nation’s spirits through the frequently cruel circumstances of history.

Nowadays, of course, things have changed dramatically for the better. Ireland is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. Although it may no longer be poor, it nonetheless still has its dreams. Proof of this is A New Journey, the latest spectacular production from Celtic Woman, combining the elegiac lyricism of the country’s past with the vivaciousness and dynamism of its present. The five gifted soloists – four vocalists and one violinist – have come together with Composer and Musical Director David Downes to create a truly special musical experience – a ‘tour de force of talent’, according to the Boston Herald. Created in 2004 by David Downes (who worked as Musical Director on Riverdance) and Executive Producer Dave Kavanagh, Celtic Woman was an instant smash hit.

A New Journey – by turns dazzlingly elaborate and hauntingly simple – is perfectly reflective of David’s musical vision. As he himself puts it, he is drawn towards ‘music with many layers, many strands, many dynamics, and I tend to think of our music as like a kaleidoscope: elements shifting in and out of focus at any given time.’

Spanning over two hours, the show contains selections from both of the group’s platinum albums, Celtic Woman and A New Journey. The Celtic Women themselves are as beautifully, quintessentially Irish as the music they perform. Says David of the soloists: ‘They are the songs, in many cases, and are the reason for any Celtic Woman music to happen. Their voices and music bring that sound together, bring it to life.’

Make no mistake – this is entertainment on a spectacular scale. It is, however, the poignant, deeply stirring songs and the unforgettable voices of the Celtic Women that will remain with you long after the lights have died down and the dazzling images have faded from view.

Not content to retread ground already covered on previous projects, A New Journey both expands upon and refines the Celtic Woman sound. The repertoire is an unforgettable collection of contemporary hits (Beyond the Sea, The Prayer, Scarborough Fair, Over the Rainbow), classical favorites (Lascia Ch’io Pianga, Vivaldi’s Rain), Irish standards (Dúlaman, Danny Boy, Mo Ghile Mear) and original compositions written especially for the soloists by David Downes (Granuaile's Dance, At the Ceili, The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun, The Blessing & Sing Out!) As David puts it, ‘if you’re going to make a sequel, you might as well throw all ideas into the ring.’ But the risks taken – both in terms of the new musical material and the breathtaking outdoor setting – have paid off in spectacular style. Celtic Woman’s A New Journey, like all the best journeys, is an experience you will never forget.

A NEW JOURNEY SET-LIST


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