A Trio of Tenors Sing a Celtic Christmas

The Suffolk will kick off the holiday season by presenting Celtic music kings The Irish Tenors on their “A Family Christmas Tour” backed by a full orchestra on Friday, November 29, at 8 p.m.

The Irish Tenors have been touring together since 1998, with sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall, Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and major concert halls throughout the world. Their faces and voices are familiar to PBS audiences through several specials, including the “Ellis Island” recordings that sold a million CDs and DVDs.

Since they first joined voices in 1998, The Irish Tenors have made countless traditional treasures breathe with new life. Moreover, they’ve proven themselves gifted interpreters of a wide range of material, with such songs as “My Heart Will Go On” (from “Titanic”), “Fairytale of New York”(previously recorded by Kirsty MacColl and The Pogues) and even Jimmy Kennedy’s “South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)”. These songs live comfortably in their repertoire alongside “Danny Boy,” “Whiskey in the Jar” and “Fields of Athenry.”

Among their best-selling albums, “Heritage” ranks as one of the finest with classic recordings of many of the most beautiful Irish songs. “We Three Kings” is their best-selling Christmas album and includes all of the Christmas gems that are featured year after year in their Christmas Tour, which has become a tradition for many families who love their music — and now they will bring it to Riverhead.

The Irish Tenors’ powerful vocal line-up of Anthony Kearns, Ronan Tynan and Declan Kelly are the leading brand of this genre and are considered to be the godfathers of Irish repertoire. All classically trained singers, each having performed in leading concert halls across the world, together they combine to produce a sound and concert experience, which touches hearts and stirs the emotions with happy songs of celebration and humor, mixed with touching melodies and songs that warm the heart.

They are versatile, but for many, Kearns, Tynan and Kelly are synonymous with Irish music. There is an aching bittersweet quality to much of Ireland’s musical heritage, a melodic loveliness and emotional intensity. The technique and depth of feeling that defines this musical genre, amplified to the third power, is the hallmark of The Irish Tenors.

The Irish Tenors have appeared on several highly-rated PBS specials including “Ellis Island” and “Live From Belfast” as well as “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “Regis and Kelly,” “Martha Stewart,” and A&E “Breakfast With the Arts.”

Tickets are $99 to $135 at thesuffolk.org. The Suffolk is at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead.