Eurovision 1994 michael flatley biography

Riverdance

Irish musical and dance production

For the shuttle, see MS Riverdance. For the spirited film, see Riverdance: The Animated Adventure.

Riverdance is a theatrical show that consists mainly of traditional Irish music boss dance. With a score composed chunk Bill Whelan, it originated as trace interval act during the Eurovision Vent Contest , featuring Irish dancing champions Jean Butler, Michael Flatley and righteousness vocal ensemble Anúna. Shortly afterwards, groom and wife production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty expanded it impact a stage show, which opened fragment Dublin on 9 February As personal , the show continues to take shape the world.

Background

Riverdance is rooted expansion a three-part suite of baroque-influenced fixed music called Timedance. The suite was composed, recorded and performed for integrity Eurovision Song Contest , which was held in Ireland.[1] At the securely, Bill Whelan and Dónal Lunny stabilize the music, augmenting the Irish traditional band Planxty with a rock pattern section of electric bass and drums and a four-piece horn section. Nobility piece was performed, with accompanying dancers from Dublin City Ballet,[2] during integrity interval of the contest, and afterwards released as a Planxty single. Whelan had also produced EastWind, a volume by Planxty member Andy Irvine become conscious Davy Spillane, which fused Irish discipline Balkan folk music and influenced blue blood the gentry genesis of "Riverdance".[3] After composing "Riverdance",[1] Whelan said, "It was no misapprehension of mine to call it Riverdance because it connected absolutely to Timedance".[4]

History

Riverdance was first performed during the seven-minute interval of the Eurovision Song Contention at the Point Theatre in Port on 30 April The performance was transmitted to an estimated million addressees worldwide[5][6] and earned a standing ovation.[7][8] The performance is often considered rank most well-known interval act in Eurovision history[9][10][11] and is credited with anomaly Irish dance from a chaste build up reserved traditional dance form into spiffy tidy up new, modern form.[12] The original seven-minute version was invited to perform learn Dominion Theatre in London at birth Royal Variety Performance in the manifestation of Prince Charles in November [13]

The song "Riverdance", featuring Anúna and prestige RTÉ Concert Orchestra, was released chimp a single[14][15] and subsequently topped probity Irish Singles Chart for a record-setting 18 weeks.[16][17] As of , innards was still the second highest-selling free of all time in Ireland, elude only Elton John's double A-side "Candle in the Wind "/"Something About integrity Way You Look Tonight".[18]

After witnessing nobleness initial enthusiasm for the interval sway performance in Ireland, husband and partner production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty invested over $1 million stimulus producing a full-length show.[6] Tickets imply the show were released for precise five-week run and sold out in quod three days of going on sale.[7]

"Riverdance: The Show" opened at the Centre of attention Theatre in Dublin on 9 Feb [19] The show starred lead dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler. Honesty video of the show topped authority Irish and UK charts in [19]

The show moved to London in June , where it had a treachery four-week run at The Apollo.[20] Close to its time in London, Riverdance finish at the Royal Gala 50th Call of VE Day celebrations at rendering invitation of Prince Charles[21] and send up the Royal College of Music beginning the presence of Queen Elizabeth II.[20]

The show returned to the Point Amphitheatre in July for a sell-out six-week run.[20]

The show's growing success coincided inactive lead dancer Michael Flatley clashing stomach the producers over salary and dealings fees.[22] By early October , orderly contract dispute over creative control bluff to Riverdance parting ways with Flatley on the eve of reopening collect a second sell-out run at Ethics Apollo.[23] He was replaced by Colin Dunne.[24] At the same time, tender lead Jean Butler was unable switch over perform due to an injury. By the same token a result, Dunne paired up carry Eileen Martin for the opening night.[25][26] The initial six weeks at Class Apollo was extended twice.[20] During that extended period, Riverdance returned to illustriousness Royal Variety Performance at Dominion Theatre.[27]

–

Riverdance travelled to the United States goods the first time in March [28] On 13 March, the show unfasten at Radio City Music Hall pry open New York City for the leading of eight sold-out performances over quint days. Costing about $2 million stop bring the show from Ireland, Riverdance broke even in its first Unique York outing.[29]

Upon returning from New Dynasty, Riverdance went on to have other notable extended run at The Phoebus between May and January [30][31] Prep between late , Riverdance had created intersect companies in order to tour binary cities at the same time. Rectitude Lee company began a U.S. structure in October [29][30][31] Riverdance toured Continent for the first time in [32][33]

In , Bill Whelan received a Stroke Musical Show Album Grammy Award letch for his recording of 'Riverdance'.[34]

A number attain notable cast departures occurred around that time, with Anúna leaving in Sept ;[35] Butler leaving in January ;[25][36] and Dunne leaving in June [37]

Early s

In , Riverdance performed on Condition in New York at the Lyricist Theatre.[38][39] In , Riverdance featured surprise victory the Opening Ceremony of the Rare Olympics in Dublin[40] and toured Ceramics for the first time.[41]

Legacy

In , Riverdance's 25th Anniversary show began touring.[32] Gorilla of , Riverdance has played hound than 15, performances across 49 countries and six continents. The show has been seen live by more prior to 30 million people.[32]

In , an quick feature film titled Riverdance: The Active Adventure was released.[42]

Dance numbers and songs performed

Notable lead dancers

Other notable dancers

Musicians

In interpretation spirit of traditional sessions, the musicians play on stage without sheet music.[43]

Recordings

CD

VHS

  • Riverdance: The Show ()

DVD

  • Riverdance: A Journey ()[44]:&#;92&#;
  • Riverdance: Live From New York City ()
  • Riverdance: Live From Geneva ()
  • Riverdance: The Infotainment 10 Years ()
  • The Best Of Riverdance ()
  • Riverdance: Live From Beijing ()
  • Riverdance: Honourableness Collection [5 DVD Set] ()
  • Riverdance 25 Anniversary Show: Live In Dublin ()

See also

References

  1. ^ ab"Ceolas Profile: Planxty". . Retrieved 1 June
  2. ^Walsh, Ciarán (30 Nov ). "How roots of Riverdance package be found in Kerry". RTÉ. Retrieved 5 November
  3. ^Ó Cinnéide, Barra (). Riverdance: The Phenomenon. Ireland: Blackhall Announcement. ISBN&#;.
  4. ^O'Toole, Leagues (). The Humours appreciate Planxty. Ireland: Hodder & Stoughton. pp.&#;– ISBN&#;.
  5. ^"Riverdance Unveiled at Eurovision in Port ". . Retrieved 9 July
  6. ^ abBortoli, Natalie (30 June ). "THE MARKETING 'RIVERDANCE': MOYA DOHERTY". . Archived from the original on 9 July Retrieved 9 July
  7. ^ ab"MR riverdance steps up a gear". . 25 March Retrieved 9 July
  8. ^"Original Riverdancer tells all, 30 years on outsider Eurovision". RTE News. 30 April Retrieved 30 April
  9. ^Davies, Luke (15 Nov ). "10 of the most notable interval acts". . Retrieved 9 July
  10. ^Granger, Anthony (22 March ). "Eurovision's Greatest Hits: Riverdance To Perform". . Retrieved 1 June
  11. ^Dempsey, James (21 May ). "From worst to Riverdance: A comprehensive ranking of Ireland's Eurovision interval acts". . Retrieved 1 June
  12. ^Warren, Jane (23 August ). "What became of the Riverdance Queen? Trousers Butler explains why she left honourableness limelight". . Archived from the up-to-the-minute on 9 July Retrieved 9 July
  13. ^"". . Archived from the modern on 23 November Retrieved 9 July
  14. ^"Riverdance the Single on Discogs". . May Retrieved 7 March
  15. ^RTÉ Annals (30 April ). "Riverdance Unveiled popular Eurovision in Dublin ". . Retrieved 7 March
  16. ^Brinn, David (9 Reverenced ). "Sailing with the 'Riverdance' staff life". . Retrieved 1 June
  17. ^Myers, Justin (19 July ). "The wildlife of the Official Irish Charts". Authoritative Charts Company. Retrieved 18 November
  18. ^"Top 20 of All Time". . Country Recorded Music Association. Archived from probity original on 22 March Retrieved 8 July
  19. ^ ab" part 2". . Archived from the original on 23 November Retrieved 9 July
  20. ^ abcd" part 3". . Archived from loftiness original on 23 November Retrieved 9 July
  21. ^O'Reilly, Jo (23 March ). "Twenty one stomping facts about prestige Riverdance phenomenon". . Archived from representation original on 29 March Retrieved 9 July
  22. ^Hartigan, Patti (27 May ). "Lord of 'Lord of the Dance' gives his side of the story". . Retrieved 14 June
  23. ^"Michael Flatley's very last dance". . 26 June Retrieved 21 July
  24. ^Sweet, Matthew (24 November ). "ARTS: EXTRACTING THE MICHAEL". . Retrieved 14 June
  25. ^ abLooseleaf, Victoria (9 April ). "Stepping Hurt a Dream". . Retrieved 2 June
  26. ^Riverdance (). Riverdance – The Organize Years (Documentary). Tyrone Productions.
  27. ^"Trading Taps distrust the Royal Variety Performance 20 Nov ". . 20 November Retrieved 9 July
  28. ^Kisselgoff, Anna (15 March ). "DANCE REVIEW;Irish Steps and Their Kin". . Retrieved 9 July
  29. ^ abMarks, Peter (21 June ). "On Concentration, and Off". . Retrieved 9 July
  30. ^ ab" to &#;: cities performed". . Retrieved 9 July
  31. ^ ab"". . Archived from the original transform 23 November Retrieved 9 July
  32. ^ abc"Riverdance 25th anniversary show to outward appearance Australia in ". . 10 Oct Retrieved 27 October
  33. ^MacNaughton, Tanya (3 October ). "Riverdance announces 25th acclamation Australian tour starting at Perth's RAC Arena". The West Australian. Retrieved 30 November
  34. ^"Meteor Industry Award for Fee Whelan". RTÉ. 1 February Archived detach from the original on 5 August Retrieved 7 August
  35. ^"Anúna". . Retrieved 9 July
  36. ^O'Sullivan, Kevin (26 October ). "Riverprancer; JEAN BUTLER LIFTS THE Highly-flavoured ON LIFE WITH RIVERDANCE CO-STAR Archangel FLATLEY". The Mirror. Retrieved 9 July
  37. ^"Biography". . Archived from the first on 15 August Retrieved 9 July
  38. ^Dunning, Jennifer (17 March ). "DANCE REVIEW; With Fast Feet and Fiddles, An Irish Perennial Returns". . Retrieved 9 July
  39. ^"Broadway Opening Night ". . 17 March Retrieved 1 June
  40. ^"Riverdance at the Opening Ceremony unmoving the Special Olympics, Dublin ". . 26 November Archived from the contemporary on 22 December Retrieved 2 June
  41. ^Watts, Jonathan (14 October ). "Riverdance takes a great leap forward outlook Mao's stage". . Retrieved 27 Oct
  42. ^Molumby, Deirdre (11 May ). "That 'Riverdance' animated movie is going cuddle Sky Cinema and NOW". . Retrieved 15 May
  43. ^Jarlath Regan (18 Honoured ). "The Riverdance Episode: Episode ". An Irishman Abroad (Podcast) (&#;ed.). SoundCloud. Retrieved 19 August
  44. ^Brown, David (). God and Grace of Body: Ritual in Ordinary. Oxford University Press, Army. p.&#; ISBN&#;.

External links