Internationally lauded Irish Sopranos sing in benefit concert for Fairfield University's Irish Scholarship Fund

Internationally lauded Irish Sopranos sing in benefit concert for Fairfield University's Irish Scholarship Fund

Image: Irish Sopranos The Irish Sopranos, who've garnered critical acclaim for their soaring voices and intricate harmonies, will take the stage on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The concert also features Irish tenor John MacNally and the glee club of the Fairfield-based Gaelic-American Club.

The special concert will benefit the Father John Conlisk Irish Scholarship Fund, which brings Irish students to study at Fairfield University's Charles F. Dolan School of Business. The scholarship honors the memory of Conlisk, a Bridgeport Diocesan priest for 28 years.

"One of our recent scholarship winners entered the seminary for the priesthood, while another is working to educate the poor in Haiti," said Kevin Conlisk, brother of Fr. John Conlisk, and director of the scholarship fund.

An exciting new vocal trio, the Irish Sopranos are Wendy Dwyer, Deirdre Masterson and Kay Lynch, three seasoned soloists who decided to combine their talents for the Irish and international audience. Known for stripping away the stuffy veneer of classical singing, the vibrant young vocalists have a varied repertoire that includes opera, sacred selections and traditional Irish tunes.

"The Irish Sopranos made Carnegie Hall even more breathtaking with their beauty and pristine voices," wrote a reviewer for the New York Times.

A critic for the Irish Independent concurred, writing "the blend of these three soaring treble voices would melt even the hardest heart."

While they are known internationally as a trio, each of the sopranos has a notable resume as a soloist and through parts in other productions.

Dwyer, originally from County Cork, has won many of the major singing contests in Ireland, including prizes in opera, music theatre, oratorio and lieder. Her potential was recognized early when she received a full scholarship to the Cork School of Music. She now holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music and music performance.

Dwyer has been a soloist with the world-famous Bunratty Singers and her roles extend from Maria in "The Sound of Music" to Norina in "Don Pasquale." She has performed with Opera Ireland and is an accomplished concert artist, having performed major works from Bellini to Bernstein in leading Irish venues, including the National Concert Hall. She is currently the lead soprano with Drawing Room Opera Company.

Lynch, a native of County Kerry, has studied music at Dublin City University, Leinster School of Music and through Guildhall in London. A prize winner in many major competitions, she has studied singing under some of the world's finest tutors in Sydney, London, Zurich and New York.

Also a former Bunratty Singer, she was the lead singer with the international phenomenon "Riverdance" from 1996 through 2000, having sung with show premieres in Germany, Australia, Japan and Scandinavia. She has appeared on several television programs and released a solo album, "Unconditional," which combines classical styles and modern dance rhythms.

Masterson, a County Wexford native, made her debut at the tender age of 12 at the Wexford Festival. She has won several awards and is the youngest singer ever to win the overall vocal award, the Gervase Elwes Award, in Dublin's Feis Ceoil. Masterson's studies have taken her around the world, working with renowned tutors in the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom.

Masterson made her operatic debut with Opera Ireland and has played many of the great roles, including Papagenna in Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and Ines in Verdi's "Il Trovatore," with the company. She is equally at home performing musical theatre and opera, including sterling turns as Maria in "West Side Story" and "Desdemona's Otello."

Image: John MacNally MacNally will open for The Irish Sopranos, bringing his world-famous voice and versatility to the Quick Center stage. Heard on more than 40 albums and in countless television appearances, MacNally has wowed critics and audiences alike in Canada, the United States, Australia and Ireland.

Known for his hit "Mary in the Morning," MacNally has created four gold and two platinum albums and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and many other top venues around the world.

The popular glee club of the Gaelic-American Club will also perform during the benefit concert and early St. Patrick's Day celebration. A limited number of raffle tickets will be sold for two free roundtrip tickets to Ireland, sponsored by Aer Lingus.

Proceeds from the concert help support the Fr. John M. Conlisk Scholarship Program at Fairfield University. The scholarship is named for Fr. John M. Conlisk, a 1954 graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School who served the Diocese of Bridgeport.

The scholarship, which is awarded each year to an MBA or MS in Finance candidate from Ireland, pays full tuition, room and board, as well as medical insurance expenses. The scholarship has provided 12 Irish-born students the opportunity to live and study at Fairfield University. It is dedicated to perpetuating the Irish culture and strengthening educational and cultural relationships. This year's scholarship recipient is Mark Reidy.

Tickets are $25. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, visit www.quickcenter.com.

Posted On: 02-04-2005 10:02 AM

Volume: 37 Number: 151