A concert featuring The Celtic Tenors takes place in Abbotsford on Sunday, Dec. 3.
The performance begins at 3 p.m. at Central Heights Church (1661 McCallum Rd.) and also includes the Vancouver Island Symphony and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra conducted by Calvin Dyck.
The Celtic Tenors consist of Matthew Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson. They have recorded eight albums, performed around the world and sung for world leaders.
Gilsenan was born into a hard-working farming family in North Mead. His classical training started in a convent at the age of 10, and progressed to some of the great Irish and Scottish teachers.
He began an engineering career, but decided to take a sabbatical in 1997 to focus on singing, performing with Ireland’s National Chamber Choir and the operatic stage before founding The Celtic Tenors with Nelson.
Nelson studied music in university and went on to perform more than 50 roles in opera and operetta, including in Portugal, Scotland, England, Singapore, Italy and Russia.
He is also part of an ongoing building project in Kenya, helping give AIDS orphans a second chance at life, building and upgrading their accommodation and education facilities, as well as teaching them music and performing in concerts with the kids.
Simpson developed his love of music during schooling at Omagh Academy in Northern Island, which then led him to study music and drama.
He later performed in various operas, recitals and broadcasts. He formed the Omagh Community Youth Choir in 1998 to promote peace and reconciliation through music.
Simpson was recognized with a British Empire Medal in 2018 for his services to community relations and peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
The trio are described as “the most successful classic cross-over act to emerge from Ireland.”
They perform classical arias, a capellas, Celtic harmonies, and popular contemporary songs.
Advance tickets for their Abbotsford show range from $15 to $38 and are available at calvindyck.com/concerts. Tickets are also available at the door and range from $20 to $45.