Celtic Carusos

‘Softly softly catchy monkey’, Matthew Gilsenan reminds me, is not a purely Irish phrase, it does however, refer to patience winning the day. Perhaps it signals it’s time for us to move more slowly and stop and savour the moment. Which makes it the perfect time to savour some superb Irish music performed by Ireland’s tenor-iffic trio ‘The Celtic Tenors’ when they arrive in Tasmania this weekend. The Celtic Tenors are Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson.

Several weeks ago I received a phone call from one of the tenors, Matthew Gilsenan and with a love of the Irish language myself I was ready to answer with the Irish greeting of ‘dia dhuit’. Matthew is amazed and impressed. He explains to me through the history of The Celtic Tenor’s interviews the guys have had no one greet them in their native language. Matthew goes on to talk about Ireland’s growing multiculturalism and how he was pleasantly surprised to witness a young child from a Chinese background prove themselves to be a best Irish speaker in their class at school!

Keeping with the topic of education Matthew himself trained to be an excellent engineer but with all his siblings musically inclined and his own love of music, it was no surprise when he engineered a move into music.

Music has taken Matthew around the world and that includes Tasmania. I’m pleasantly surprised to learn that he has visited Tasmania before as part of a cruise. He remarks to me how impressed he was by Hobart’s beautiful old buildings.

It’s arguably agreed that The Celtic Tenors do the best version of Danny Boy, ever! But it’s not all Irish songs in the group’s repertoire, they sing an eclectic mix of Irish, classical, folk and pop, serious stuff you might think but when I spoke to Matthew, he is quick to assure me these Celtic Caruso’s like to include an equal measure of comedic quips in their shows to lighten the mood. Those soft melting accents are there and so is the twinkle in those smiling Irish eyes.

Matthew tells me at the start of this whole experience of ‘The Celtic Tenors’ they promised themselves they would always choose good songs, including hybrid ones. For example we have an Australian song by a Scottish/Australian artist in Eric Bogle.

Of course there will be an Irish songbook which includes such favourites as ‘Danny Boy’, ‘Caledonia’, ‘Song for Ireland’ and ‘You raise me up’, ‘Spanish Lady’ and ‘Mairi’s wedding’ (Scottish Gaelic hybrid).

We come full circle in regard to multiculturalism when Matthew reminds me that one of their songs ‘Forever Young’ will be a version of the Irish blessing, based on a ballad written by Bob Dylan making it an Irish song written by a Jewish American.

The three tenors each come from different religious backgrounds one is a Southern Catholic another a Northern Protestant and another, a different Christian denomination but together and through their careful selection of songs they prove that music is able to blur boundaries.

You can see The Celtic Tenors, Matthew, James and Daryl perform in Tasmania at the following dates and venues …

DEVONPORT – Entertainment & Convention Centre – Friday April 20

HOBART – Theatre Royal – Saturday April 21
Paula Xiberras