Show & Tell

The Music of Ireland

By Mark Bretz | Photo courtesy of celtic Woman

Arriving at St. Louis’ Stifel Theatre on April 21 on its Postcards From Ireland tour will be the Irish female group Celtic Woman, which has performed in the metro area a staggering 16 times since the group’s formation in 2005. Usually composed of four or five singers, the current version of Celtic Woman includes original member Chloe Agnew, along with Tara McNeill, Muirgen O’Mahony and Megan Walsh.

Celtic Woman’s eponymous debut album in 2005 reached No. 1 on Billboard’s world music chart, following the first airing of its special on PBS, and held the top position on the Billboard world music chart for a record-setting 81 weeks – only to be replaced by the group’s second album, “A Christmas Celebration,” which ascended to the top of the list in October 2006. Overall, Celtic Woman has been named Billboard’s No. 1 World Music Artist of the Year six times, and 12 of its studio albums have debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s world album chart.

Rhona Kelly, executive producer of Celtic Woman, and Agnew took time from Celtic Woman’s busy 2022 tour to talk with Ladue News about the group’s incredible success and the music it shares with its fans.

Celtic Woman has performed worldwide. What helps the brand achieve international acclaim?

Kelly: Celtic Woman’s fresh fusion of traditional Irish music with classical favorites, contemporary and original songs has helped put us on the world music map.

Chloe is an original member who has now rejoined Celtic Woman. Why have so many performers come and gone through the years?

Kelly: Celtic Woman has always been a platform for Irish female artists. Like any other show, people come and go depending on their life decisions along the way. The beauty of CW is we have always welcomed back previous performers down through the years. Chloe has rejoined for 2022, and [former member] Susan McFadden will be doing some dates on this tour with us also.

Can you describe some of the instruments played most prominently in the music performed by Celtic Woman?

Kelly: The fiddle/violin would be the most prominent instrument in the show. It is not traditionally Irish in origin but would be one of the most important instruments used in the traditional Irish repertoire. Uilleann pipes, bodhran, bagpipes, guitar, whistles and piano all feature in the show also. Uilleann pipes are traditionally Irish and date back to the 18th century, and the bodhran dates back to the 19th century.

How important was the PBS programming of Celtic Woman concerts early on to the group’s incredible success?

Kelly: The PBS audience reaction was an amazing platform for us to get our music and shows out there. [Now,] 17 years later, our relationship is still going strong. “Postcards From Ireland” aired Dec. 21 and will air again on PBS on March 22.

Show: celtic Woman

Venue: Stifel Theatre, 1400 Market St., St. Louis

Date/Time: april 21, 7 p.m.

Tickets: $29.50 to $150, ticketmaster.com

How do St. Louis audiences compare in their appreciation of Celtic Woman’s music to other cities in the United States and in other countries?

Agnew: I can remember visiting and performing in St. Louis in 2005 on one of our very first U.S. tours like it was yesterday. It’s so incredible to think that here we are all these years later, still being welcomed back to one of our favorite cities to perform in! Some of our best memories of shows have been spent in St. Louis. Every time we come back, the audiences are bigger and louder than ever. We are so excited to bring our new show to all our wonderful fans in Missouri once again.

I’ve loved every second of my time visiting St. Louis throughout the years. I’ll always make sure to take a walk down to the Gateway Arch or try to catch a St. Louis Blues game on our day off, and we never leave without getting an Imo’s pizza for the tour bus! Needless to say, we love St. Louis and can’t wait to see you all soon! ln