Michael Londra and the Celtic Fire

This show focuses on the traditional culture of song and dance in Ireland that generates an electric atmosphere that sweeps audiences away to Ireland, its culture, its land, its pubs, its music and its heart. Celtic Fire doesn’t rehash the art form, but strips it to its bare essentials. Presenting traditional dance presented by world champion Irish dancers, the show has a vital feel; cast members are more creative and dynamic, audiences are more engaged and everyone leaves the show feeling they have been more involved and have had more of an insight into what Ireland and its country really is.

"A soaring voice that is both deeply emotional and tremendously expressive, transporting you into an amazingly beautiful world" - Irish Edition

What People Are Saying

The Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) presented Emmy award nominated Michael Londra’s Celtic Yuletide last night to a sold out crowd at Festival Hall. Michael Londra, best known as the voice of Riverdance on Broadway, brought the spirit of Ireland to Greensboro with a night of Irish music and dancing. The show opened dramatically when some of the best Irish step-dancers in the world took the stage. With credits such as Lord of the Dance and Celtic Women, the six dancers captivated the audience with intricate, synchronized footwork throughout the performance.

The dancers, along with musicians who played traditional Irish instruments such as the bondhran (the national drum of Ireland) and the uilleann (the national pipe of Ireland) brought to life frenetic Irish jigs and reels. A highlight of the night was a beautiful solo by Caitlin Warbelow on the fiddle. The great Irish tenor, Londra, played host for the evening performing beautiful, haunting Irish carols and Gaelic versions of favorite Christmas songs and thoroughly entertaining the audience with Irish humor. Michael narrated the songs with tales of the Christmas traditions of his home in rural Ireland and how customs of the day evolved. Some of the favorites were the famed “Wexford Carol” and “Oiche Ciuin” (Silent Night). The audience even enjoyed participating in the performance themselves; singing along to Irish love song, The Water is Wide. The night culminated with thunderous applause for Michael’s beloved rendition of Danny Boy.

Jeffrey Wells, Artistic Director of OPAS, was thrilled with the performance saying, “OPAS could not be more pleased to present Michael Londra, the Prince of Public Broadcasting Stations across America, coupled with one of the best Irish bands in the world and 6 world champion dancers here in Greensboro. In fact, Michael is not only the Prince of PBS, he is a true prince of a man. The show was awesome!”

Michael Londra

www.michaellondra.com

Michael Londra has been described as "one of the greatest Irish singers of all our time." Since his breakthrough role as the Voice of Riverdance on Broadway, Londra has become one of the top international soloists. He has recently appeared in the headlines for his PBS special "Beyond Celtic" receiving two Emmy awards and for being invited to perform at the 50th anniversary of JFK's visit to Ireand. (more info here)

His recording of "Danny Boy" is now regarded as "one of the best recordings in history," with over 6 million views on YouTube.Michael was nominated for two Irish Music Awards for Best Solo Performance and Best Irish Tenor in which he won Best Irish Tenor at the 2012 Irish Music Awards.

Chicago based Celtic singer, Michael Londra is from the opera capital of Ireland, a small town on the South East coast called Wexford. He decided in the early 90s to follow his heart and started singing professionally. His leap of faith was rewarded when he soon became a leading man in musical theater in Dublin playing many roles. US director and choreographer, Larry Fuller asked Michael to play Bobby Kennedy in the world premiere of "JFK" where he was noticed by the producers of Riverdance. He went on and sang lead in first Riverdance tour of North America in 1998 as well as Riverdance on Broadway 2000 and 2001.

Londra has been featured on the Universal Records Arias Ancora project with Luciano Pavarotte, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. He is the creator of Radiocelt, which is part of Accuradio Network, one of the top ten internet radio stations. He also produces and stars in the touring Irish shows and is an ambassador for Concern Worldwide.

Most recently, Michael co-produced his own PBS special titled Michael Londra’s Beyond Celtic which aired across the United States over 300 times from August

through December 2011

"Michael Londra is one of Ireland's top tenors, having made unique contributions of major significance to Celtic music.. His enormous contribution to Irish Arts is acknowledged as is his vital role in spreading Irish culture internationally. He is also to be congratulated for the significant role he plays as international ambassador for the Irish charity, Concern Worldwide, using his position of influence to which his dedication has brought him to seek to assist those persons in society, the world over, who exist on the margins and in the most vulnerable positions." - Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland
"a pure tenor climbing up into ranges pretenders can only dream" - Irish Herald
"I just listened to your version of DANNY BOY and sat here crying my eyes out. Just beautiful. Your voice is a diamond." Julie Gold - songwriter - From A Distance by Bette Midler