Artist Details Caitríona O'LearyCategory: Vocalists
Regularly described by critics as having ‘angelic’ and ‘ethereal’ vocal qualities, the early music singer Caitríona O’ Leary combines these attributes with an ability to express and convey to her listeners the full array of emotions contained in the words she sings. She has that rare quality: stage presence. Even before she opens her mouth to sing she has captivated her audience.LAM General Management
Biography
Caitríona O’Leary is internationally recognised for her elegant performances of Early Music. She has made eleven commercial recordings for BMG, EMI, Avie and Vox as a soloist and as a member of the celebrated early music ensembles, Sequentia, The Harp Consort and Joglaresa. Caitríona’s extensive work as a concert artist includes tours throughout North America, Europe, Mexico, and Israel, and at such venues as The Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall and Cité de la Musique. She has appeared at numerous festivals including the Utrecht Early Music Festival, Tage Alter Musik Regensburg, Festival Cervantino Guanajuato, Festival Interceltique de Lorient and Concerts Spirituels Geneva.
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For the stage she has created many roles and has been critically acclaimed both for her artistry as a singer and her dynamism and charisma as an actress. Highlights in this arena being Dido in Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas”, Lichas Handel’s “Hercules”, Castitas in Hildegard von Bingen’s “Ordo Virtutum” and a principal role in a unique, fully-staged version of Handel’s “Messiah” in New York with Millennial Arts Productions. Caitríona is also a noted performer of Traditional Irish Song. Her two solo CDs (with her band Dúlra), I am Stretched on Your Grave (BMG Classics/DHM) and Dúil, Irish Songs of Love and Nature (EMI/Virgin Classics) were released to rave reviews in 2000, and 2001, and continue to haunt radio play-lists in Ireland and abroad. After relocating from New York to Dublin, Caitríona wrote and starred in “The Stolen Child”, which toured for over 30 performances, and she recently composed and performed the soundtrack to Emer Martin’s new film “Unaccompanied”. Caitríona is a founding member of the National Chamber Choir of Ireland and in 2006 formed the Early Music ensemble eX. She was recently Music Director and performed leading roles in eX’s productions of Bach’s “Christ Lag in Todes Banden” (Mary Magdalen) which toured Ireland in April 2007 and in “Ex Tenebris” (the Celebrant) a staged production of medieval and renaissance Christmas music which similarly toured Ireland last December. She lives in Dublin where she is currently preparing a new solo CD as well as performance projects with Dúlra and eX.
Reviews
“[O’Leary’s] caressing tones…fit seamlessly into a consistent fabric of sound and expression” The Wall Street Journal “The gentle tones of Caitríona O’Leary were lovely” The Boston Globe “Do not hesitate for a second! Caitríona O’Leary has one of those incredibly crystalline voices that roots you to the spot” La Vie
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“It is singing a cappella that Caitríona O’Leary is at her most moving and where she best presents a very rare and very lovely repertoire.” Le Monde de la Musique “downright angelic” St. Louis Post-Dispatch “I relished the flavors of the individual voices and characters…the focused calm of Caitríona O’Leary” Boston Bay Windows “The clear voice, like a flowing river, and gracious silhouette, of Caitríona O’Leary has also accompanied the ensemble Sequentia and the Harp Consort” Valeurs Actuelles “Spreading a poignant pall over the proceedings, O’Leary’s lamenting voice rose and fell flawlessly, entrancing the audience with heart-wrenching songs.” The Irish Echo “Vocal grace, majestic formal fluidity, from traditional Irish ballads to early music: a disc (Dúil, Irish Songs of Love and Nature), which unites tradition and sensuality” Geo “Her singing style, clear articulation, and beautiful soprano voice – with or without accompaniment – are brought to great effect in these and all the songs in Dúil” Irish Music Magazine “Here is a disc (Dúil, Irish Songs of Love and Nature) that revels in the joy of singing and of making music and the joy of being alive” La Marseillaise “Wonderful interpretation by Caitríona O’Leary and her band” Femme Actuelle “[O’Leary] creates an elegiac atmosphere with her clear voice and authentic Gaelic pronunciation” The Plain Dealer“seamless, ethereal sean nós voice” The Irish Echo
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