With their sensational
voices and stunning good looks, The Irish Sopranos wow audiences wherever
they go. Wendy Dwyer, Kay Lynch and
Deirdre Masterson
are the crème de la crème of Irish classical vocal
talent. All three have had extensive classical training and each possesses a
very distinctive, very individual voice. The voices together comprise lyric,
lyric coloratura and dramatic soprano, producing a wonderful harmonic texture
and lending themselves perfectly to the ravishing harmonies for which The Irish
Sopranos are fast gaining a name. Before coming together to form the group,
Wendy, Kay and Deirdre
have built hugely impressive individual performance portfolios. Between them
they have vast experience on a wide variety of entertainment platforms from
lead-singer with Riverdance to soloists on the International Operatic Stage.
Wendy from Ballincollig Co.
Cork, Kay from Tralee, Co. Kerry and Deirdre from Gorey , Co.
Wexford grew up in homes that were filled with music. Influences from
traditional, classical, jazz and even country all colour their music making now.
“Anything with a beautiful melody attracts us”, says Wendy. “All we want
to do is entertain, to lift people with our music and a good melody is the first
step in that regard”, continues Kay. As such The Irish Sopranos’
music is an eclectic mix ranging from operatic to popular music and everything
in between. Each song is specially arranged for or by the girls and each
arrangement reflects the group’s individual style and their remarkable
versatility.
Unlike many manufactured groups,
The Irish Sopranos have been friends for years having studied and worked
together in the past. As such they have a wonderful rapport on and off the
stage. “Real friendship makes such a difference to the performance and the
audience notices”, says Deirdre.
Together now for two and a half
years, The Irish Sopranos have toured extensively in Ireland and abroad. They
have received a standing ovation at each and every performance and have been
critically well received. One critic wrote “…the blend of these three soaring
voices would melt even the hardest heart”.
By entertainment standards, The
Irish Sopranos are a relatively new group but they have attracted great
media attention on both sides of The Atlantic. They have appeared on numerous
national TV and Radio broadcasts in Ireland and America and have been featured
in many newspaper and magazine articles. Media highlights for the group include
making musical history in August 2003 when they became the first females ever to
serenade the winner of The Rose of Tralee International Festival, which is
broadcast to a television audience of millions world-wide. During their debut
U.S. tour in 2004 it was a great privilege for the girls to be the only act
selected to perform on a St. Patrick’s Day Fox News Special. That same week the
popular PBS based Channel, Out of Ireland, ran an in-depth feature on The
Irish Sopranos. “A Time for Us”, The Irish Sopranos’ debut album was
released last year and is now available nation-wide (distributed by Dara in the
U.S.) and at all Irish Soprano performances. It features many Irish and
Classical songs including the ever popular “Danny Boy” and many other favourites.