An Unforgettable Night for Tynan

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Irish Voice Entertainment

An Unforgettable Night for Tynan

February 28, 2008

By Cahir O’Doherty

ON Thursday, March 13 the legendary Irish tenor Ronan Tynan will step onto the stage at Manhattan’s famed Carnegie Hall to perform in a concert billed – accurately enough – A Great Night for the Irish.

Celebrated for its stunning acoustics, a concert at Carnegie Hall is always a moving and incredible experience. You can literally sit anywhere and know that the sound will be amazing. It’s the perfect venue for an Irish talent who has sung for no less than three U.S. presidents.

“Carnegie Hall is one of the venues that every singer wants to perform in,” Dubliner Tynan told the Irish Voice during a recent interview. “It’s an honor to be invited, and during all the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations I’m delighted to be participating with such an accomplished group of Irish performers.”

Accompanying Tynan at the all-Irish concert night will be soprano Deirdre Masterson, who comes from Gorey, Co. Wexford. Masterson began her music and vocal studies at the Wexford School of Music, where at the tender age of 12 she made her Wexford Festival debut singing in Dido and Aeneas, by Purcell.

Masterson has become a regular performer at the Wexford Opera Festival over the years singing in recitals, concerts, operatic scenes and on main stage productions at the internationally acclaimed festival. Something of a fixture on Irish television and radio, she was recently recognized as one of the voices of the century.

The Hibernian Festival Singers, who will also perform at the concert, started out as a 12 person community choir and over the years have developed into a 70 person, four part choral ensemble. Their tours have included the 150th commemoration of the Great Hunger in Ireland and Solemn Mass at the Vatican in Rome.

The bill is further enhanced by the Strings of Tara, a 10-member group of women Celtic harpists who play music so transporting that you may well consider them one of the highlights of an already remarkable evening.

Host Angela Kelly Molloy, who has been bringing together choirs, orchestras and soloists to sing highlights from Irish ballad operas for years, will keep the event running smoothly and will also introduce the champion American Irish Step Dancers and the Edward V. Larking Memorial Pipe Band to the Carnegie stage.

Faced with numerous physical challenges throughout his life (he was born with lower limb disabilities and elected to have both legs amputated at the age of 20 due to complications caused by a car accident) Tynan attributes his success to his Catholic faith.

First introduced to international audiences in the 1990’s as a member of the Irish Tenors, Tynan quickly became known for his powerful voice. But it was his mother who persuaded him to follow his dreams and launch a solo career, which quickly took his fame to a whole new level.

“It happened quickly, from the time I made the decision to branch out to the time that I started singing solo,” says Tynan. “I was not prepared for the level of response. I had no idea my signing would connect with people the way it has.”

Having been to the U.S. on so many occasions now, the well-known and jovial Irishman considers New York his home away from home. “The thing I love about New York and the States in general is that there are so many people who want you to do well. They encourage you, and they rejoice in your success. That’s a great virtue. I think Americans are fantastic people, amazing,” he says.

In recent years Tynan has performed at the wedding of New York’s former Mayor Rudy Giuliani on the grounds of Gracie Mansion and at the 80th birthday celebration for President George H.W. Bush. Says Tynan, “There’s no question these are career highlights, but for me singing for an Irish audience is a special thrill. I know that the evening will be a memorable one for all who attend.”

In a life of extraordinary firsts, Tynan has demolished every roadblock that he ever faced. Before he commenced his singing career, he became the first disabled person ever admitted to the National College of Physical Education in Ireland. He later became a full-fledged medical doctor with a degree from Trinity College.

Catch him at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, March 13 when he raises the rafters on an unforgettable night out. For tickets call 212-247-7800.

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