Affinití present: A Celtic Christmas
Launches Thursday 17th December – Available for 72 hours!
The Must-See Christmas Show of the Season!
Filmed in the beautiful surroundings of Powerscourt Estate
Supporting the Laura Lynn Foundation
Affinití, Celtic inspired classical crossover group, announce a very special Christmas concert this December, filmed in the wonderfully atmospheric surroundings of Powerscourt House. Classically trained musicians Emer Barry (Soprano), Aisling Ennis (Harp) and Mary Mc Cague (Violin) have brought their Christmas show to the USA each year and are delighted to share ‘A Celtic Christmas’ with Irish music lovers for the first time. Highlights will include:
- Affiniti’s chart-topping version of O Holy Night – over 3 million views on YouTube
- An opportunity to see Powerscourt House and Gardens, which will be beautifully decorated for this one-off event by Miller & Lambe Events & Design, from the safety and comfort of your home.
- A special virtual guest appearance by Bing Crosby’s nephew, Howard Crosby, who will tell one of his many personal stories about his famous uncle
2020 should have been Affinití’s 7th USA tour. However, with the Pandemic putting an end to live performance and touring, Affinití decided to create a unique show from one of Ireland’s most iconic landmarks, Powerscourt House. The performance will be broadcast via their popular YouTube channel, with 20% of ticket revenue going to the Laura Lynn Foundation. The show will be filmed to the highest standard offering a TV quality glimpse into the beauty of Powerscourt, accompanied by uplifting festive music, and a Celtic flair! Christmas time has always been especially important for Affinití. In 2013 they performed at a charity event for the St Vincent de Paul bicentenary at the National Concert Hall. On the same bill was businessman and entertainer, Howard Crosby, nephew of the great Bing Crosby. They met in the green room after the show, with Howard saying he was so mesmerised by their performance that he had to find a way to introduce Affinití to America. A mere four months later, they found themselves performing in Boston, Texas and New York, and the following Christmas, their inaugural Celtic Christmas Tour, culminating in a very memorable performance to a full house in the Bing Crosby Theatre in Spokane (Bing’s hometown). They have returned to the USA each year since, adding more venues and building a loyal fan base across the Pacific Northwest.
TICKETS available from Affinití’s online shop on www.affinitimusic.com
Standard Ticket – €20 per household Group Rates Available
“Full of soul, sass and sophistication, as well as exquisite technique.” – The Boston Globe.
ABOUT AFFINITÍ
Emer Barry (soprano), Aisling Ennis (harpist) and Mary McCague (violinist) have been performing together since 2008, initially as Celtic Rose. In 2011, they started writing quirky arrangements of well-known pop and rock songs that would not normally be associated with an opera singer or classical musicians, fusing them with elements of Irish music. This new departure warranted a name change, and Affinití was born, borne out of their genuine affinity with the music, each other, and Ireland.
In 2012, Affinití was awarded Best Group and Standout Newcomer by ClassicalCrossover.co.uk, following the release of their debut EP ‘Rebirth’ and subsequent album ‘Struck by Affiniti’. Their charity Christmas single, O Holy Night reached Number 1 in the Irish download charts of Christmas 2014. It currently has over 3 million views on YouTube and is an original, celtic inspired arrangement by Affinití, also featuring the Palestrina Boy’s Choir and Carlow Choral Society, with full orchestral accompaniment by FILMharmonic Orchestra Prague). They are almost finished a new album, This Is Ireland, which includes original songs written during lockdown, due for release in March 2021.
The three members of Affinití enjoy a great rapport with their fans from all over the world.
WHO ARE THEY?
Emer Barry (soprano) has been christened ‘the glam one’ as she is rarely seen out of high heels. She has been singing and dressing up from the moment she was able to talk and walk! Emer is a trained opera singer, and often brings characters on stage -Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Carmen (which generally raises the temperature in a theatre)! Aside from touring in America with Affinití, she also toured with Columbia Artist Management’s show ‘Songs of Ireland’ during 2019. In August 2020, she performed Mozart’s Sull’Aria (known from The Shawshank Redemption) with Celine Byrne on RTE’s ‘Shine’ concert.
Aisling Ennis (harp), affectionately known as ‘the goony one’ in Affinití admits that she was a hyper child. Something had to be done. So, her mother in her infinite wisdom, rented a harp. The quietest of the instruments. So angelic. At the age of 6, Aisling took to the harp like any little angel would, and she made quite a name for herself winning many national awards and studying at the Royal Irish Academy of Music on continuous scholarship for over ten years. But as she got bigger, the harp got louder, and bolder, and well, louder…
Mary McCague(violin), known as ‘the girly one’, is always smiling! Both parents were musicians so it didn’t take long for Mary to find herself sitting in front of a piano with a violin under her chin! She got a taste for showbiz at the age of eight with every child’s dream, a live performance on the Late Late Toy Show. Since then, Mary has performed regularly on the Late Late Show (and on stage) with big name acts such as Michael Bublé, Westlife, Kanye West, Il Divo, Katherine Jenkins, Rod Stewart and Leona Lewis, amongst others. She holds a particular soft spot for Michael Bublé…
When these three differing personalities unite musically, the magic really happens and they each bring something unique to the stage, leaving audiences howling with the on-stage banter!
On announcing that their 2020 US tour would be cancelled due to the current pandemic, Affinití were inundated with messages of support from their US fans, many of whom stated that going to Affinití’s ‘Celtic Christmas Show’ has become an integral part of their festive celebrations. Because of their touring schedule, it is not normally possible for Affinití to perform in Ireland at Christmas time and the girls are very much looking forward to being able to bring their Celtic Christmas experience to an Irish audience this year, in addition to their loyal US fanbase.