Here is a link to the Adirondack Chapter of the American Red Cross Website with details of the event.

If you can possibly arrange to be in the Saratoga area on June 4, this would be a grand occasion to not only attend a wonderful concert, but to assist in a very worthwhile cause. The American Red Cross is always there for local, national, and international catastrophes, this is an excellent opportunity to assist them.

The Tenors will be backed by a full symphony orchestra consisting of musicians from the Local 506 of the American Federation of Musicians. In addition, there will be a "Meet and Greet" reception following the performance.

The Tenors will be backed by a full symphony orchestra consisting of musicians from the Local 506 of the American Federation of Musicians. In addition, there will be a "Meet and Greet" reception following the performance.

The Irish Tenors have produced seven best-selling albums while their appeal in the United States is second only to U2.

Since they first joined voices in 1998,the three-man group has made countless traditional treasures breathe with new life while remembering their heritage and saluting their Mother country. Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns, and Karl Scully are multi-talented and, for many, synonymous with Irish music.

Finbar has been described as funny, handsome, and sexy but has also been labeled as " Ireland 's Great Romantic Singer." Karl is the newest member of the Irish Tenors and is the young one who attracts the younger generation of ladies. But, according to him, it's the younger ladies' mothers and grandmothers who swoon. Anthony has been singing since the age of 10 and simply melts the hearts of women as the men cheer him on.

"We are simply ecstatic to have the Irish Tenors perform a benefit concert at SPAC” said Eileen Reardon, executive director of the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter. “The Irish Tenors are simply amazing and have garnered glowing reviews while performing in front of sold out audiences worldwide the last two years. We are looking forward to an enchanting and memorable evening.”

Michele Riggi, the honorary chairperson for the concert, said, “Our goal is to net $100,000 to replenish our local chapter’s disaster relief fund and so our local chapter can continue to provide invaluable life-saving skills and community training." She added there will be a private VIP ‘Meet-n-Greet’ with the group at Palazzo Riggi in addition to the reception immediately following the concert.

Prices for the concert as well as the ‘Meet-n-Greet’ receptions begin at $125 per person. There are additional ‘Meet-n-Greet’ packages that are available. Tickets are now available for these various opportunities only at the American Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga Chapter Office at 74 Warren St. in Glens Falls.

The Holiday Inn – Saratoga is also offering a concert and overnight package which includes two $50 amphitheatre tickets (does not include ‘Meet-n-Greet’ receptions), an overnight stay for two, and breakfast for two. Total cost for this package is $199.

Amphitheatre ticket prices are $50 per person. Amphitheatre seating reservations will be on a first come, first served basis according to the level of support. Tickets are now available via Ticketmaster or the Red Cross chapter office. Tickets will become available at the SPAC Box Office on May 10.

For more information regarding “The Irish Tenors” Benefit Concert and the Cocktail Reception, visit redcrossadirondacksaratoga.org or call the chapter's offfice at 792-6545 to speak with Eileen Reardon or Carol Reehl. You can also check view the chapter on Facebook under the name Red Cross Adirondack Saratoga and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/arcadirondacksaratogachapter.

For more information about “The Irish Tenors,” please visit their Web site at www.theirishtenors.com .

Major sponsors presently include The Saratogian, WNYT – NewsChannel 13, Holiday Inn – Saratoga

Q: How did you get your start in singing?
A: I’ve been singing from a very young age. Basically, I entered a competition that introduced me to classical singing and particularly to Veronica Dunne (a renowned singer and voice teacher in Ireland.) I started to take lessons with this lady — that was back in 1993 — and then I got a call to audition for the group.

Q: You won several singing contests at the start of your career. What do you think of today’s crop of singing contest reality shows like American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent?
A: The contest I won that launched my career was over the national radio. The initial round of the competition I sang on the telephone, which narrowed down the selection process fairly quickly. Then I got through to the next round and had to sing in the open air at the ungodly hour of 9 a.m. I’d love to have the opportunity (to compete in a contest) again. I’d give anything to take a stab at American Idol. I’d have no fear whatsoever.

Q: What was it like to go from singing local gigs in hotels to becoming part of the internationally-known Irish Tenors?
A: I was doing it just for the fun of it then. I wanted to do more with it, but I didn’t know how. I just didn’t want to be the run-of- the-mill singer. Veronica Dunne helped me begin my career as a professional singer. After auditioning, I got a call from one of the producers who said, ‘Honey, your life is about to change.’ The group hit the ground running in the states. Being only 27 years old, it was a great feeling. It’s all about riding the rising tide.

Q: Do you come from a musical family?
A: They’re involved in traditional Irish music just for the pleasure of it. I was always surrounded by music, though.

Q: What kind of music do you listen to in your down time?
A: Rock and roll, pop — anything that’s good to the ear, I listen to it. Right now in my iPod you would find the soundtrack to “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” James Taylor and Willie Nelson, too. Pavarotti, of course, and some songs by Weird Al Yankovic are also in there.

Q: What’s your favorite place to perform?
A: It’s hard to pick just one because there are so many, but Wolf Trap in Vienna, Va., that’s spectacular. And Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall, of course. And then we played the Sydney Opera House, as well.

Q: What other projects do you have coming up?
A: I’m doing a lot of touring in the U.S. now, and then heading back to Ireland for a concert. This summer I think the group will be doing some recording and then we’re doing a huge Christmas tour. It’s great to be busy in the present economy; we’re fortunate to be doing what we’re doing.

Q: What can someone who’s never been expect from an Irish Tenors concert?
A: People have this vision of three tenors in tails and its going to be very heavy repertoire, but it’s far from the truth for the Irish Tenors. There will be a lot of upbeat, toe-tapping, foot-stamping songs. The sound is just great. We have a library of songs that we will never run out of — there’s a great Irish repertoire. Of course, the old favorite “Danny Boy” — we won’t get out of Saratoga without playing that. “My Love” by Stevie Wonder is one of my favorites to perform.

There’s a lot of moments for a tear in the eye, but there’s lots of upbeat stuff so people can let their hair down, too.

Q: Where are you from in Ireland?
A: I live in Dublin now; I’m from Wexford in the south of Ireland.

Based on the whistles and enthusiastic applause, it was a rousing concert for the crowd, most of whom sat in the orchestra section of the amphitheater.

This incarnation of the famous group founded in 1998 included Finbar Wright and Anthony Kearns, who both sang almost four years ago when the Three Irish Tenors came to SPAC. The newest member was Karl Scully. Their timbres blended beautifully.

The three men were in excellent voice and each possessed those special qualities that characterize an Irish tenor: a clear, light and pure tone especially in the top range and a mellifluous way of phrasing that is velvety. Their diction, pitch, breath control were excellent and all phrases were finished. When they could, they soared on their top notes with an effortless and thrilling panache.

The first section of the program was devoted to sweet, sentimental tunes that evoked bygone eras. Each took a turn on a tune and there were several medleys when they all sang usually in unison. Only a few tunes had harmony. Among the favorites, which many in the crowd seemed to recognize, were “The Rose of Tralee,” the “Green Isle of Erin” and “The Water is Wide.”

Kearns was especially effective in his solo “Eily Mavourneen” that changed keys often and had him go higher and higher. He also sang with much feeling. Wright was funny and stylish in “Little Brigid Flynn” and Scully tore at heart strings in “The Old Man.”

The second half mixed famous tunes like “Danny Boy,” “Toora Loora” and “Irish Eyes” with “Lift the Wings” from “River Dance” and composer Jim Kennedy’s “South of the Border.” “Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears” with all three was very beautiful and familiar–they had recorded it several years ago.

The big surprise was how good the 35-piece orchestra was. Made up of local musicians, they had only one three-hour rehearsal without the singers and with the tenor’s conductor Eric Stern, but they sounded fabulous.

The concert ended with an all-out “God Bless America” that left the crowd whistling and hooting for more.