Irish Sopranos sing way to Yuma

Sopranos who have sung in opera houses throughout the United Kingdom are coming to Yuma with a group hailed by an Irish newspaper as boasting "voices that would melt even the hardest heart."

The Irish Sopranos, made up of three accomplished classical singers, will perform Saturday at the Historic Yuma Theatre.

"All three of us are classically trained, but are influenced by everything from traditional music to opera," performer Kay Lynch told the Yuma Sun during an interview. "We sing from our hearts and are drawn to music that is strong on melody and soul. Our three voices are quite unique individually, but it is our trademark harmonies that make the Irish Sopranos special."

The trio's American performances have ranged from two concerts at Carnegie Hall to several performances on PBS and Fox News television specials.

The Irish Sopranos' concert in Yuma is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the historic theater, 254 Main St.

Tickets at $19.50 are available at the theater's box office and from the Web site YumaShowTickets.com. The concert is a presentation of Heritage Festivals. For more information, call 782-5712.

Samples of the group's music can be heard on Heritage Festival's Web site: YumaFestivals.com.

"The Irish Sopranos' music is an eclectic mix of Irish, popular and classical songs," Lynch said. "Our concerts are very entertaining - be prepared for some sing-a-longs, clap-a-longs and even bop-a-longs - but (they are) also very moving as our three-part harmonies take audiences to a higher place."

The group was formed seven years ago, bringing together three singers with impressive musical resumes. Lynch, for example, toured internationally as a lead singer with the popular show "Riverdance" for several years.

The group has toured extensively throughout Ireland and the U.S. But until this current tour, the Irish Sopranos have performed mostly in New York, Florida, Ohio and Illinois.

Regarding a concert at Carnegie Hall, The New York Times once said: "The Irish Sopranos made Carnegie Hall even more breathtaking with their beauty and pristine voices."

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A LITTLE ABOUT THE LADIES:

Wendy Dwyer
• Holds an honors master's degree in performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
• Has worked with some of the singing world’s most renowned teachers and coaches, including Irene Sandford, vocal professor at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
• Is a regular on Irish TV and radio.
• Has won numerous prizes and awards in Ireland for soprano solo, lieder, opera and musical theater competitions; recipient of the Irish Credit Union’s Bursary for Most Promising Talent.
• Operatic roles have included Marguerita in "Faust," Papagena in "The Magic Flute," Musetta in "La Boheme." Her recent soprano solo works include the "Vivaldi Gloria" and "Bach Cantatas" with the Cork Symphony Orchestra and a performance of modern music at the National Concert Hall, Dublin.

Kay Lynch
• An honors music graduate from The Open University and holds a Professional Performer’s Diploma from The Guildhall School of Music in London.
• From 1996-2001 was lead singer with "Riverdance," when the show premiered in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Germany, France and Scandinavia.
• For several years sang with The National Chamber Choir and Opera Ireland, more recently a featured soloist with Lyric Opera.

Deirdre Masterson
 • A regular performer at the Wexford Opera Festival  in recitals, concerts, operatic scenes and the main operatic attractions
• Has won all major competitions in Ireland in lieder, French, opera, oratorio; one of the youngest singers ever to win the overall vocal award in Dublin Feis Ceoil: the Gervase Elwes award.
• Made her operatic debut at 18 with Opera Ireland playing the roles of Sandman and Dewfairy in “Hansel & Gretel.” Other roles include Papagena in “The Magic Flute,” Barbarina in “Marriage of Figaro” and Ines in “Il Trovatore."
• Is equally at home on the musical and theatrical stage as the operatic stage.