There are certain things, songs and people we associate with Christmas. Celine Byrne definitely fits into that category, though she's very much in demand at any time of the year.
After phenomenal performances in 2023 at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with Irish National Opera's La Bohème and Der Rosenkavalier, plus a sellout Christmas spectacular in 2022, she's back there on Monday December 16.
One of Ireland's greatest sopranos, Celine has performed extensively throughout Europe, the United States, China, Russia, and Mexico, in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Royal Opera House, and Covent Garden.
She has sung with world-renowned tenors such as José Carreras, Placido Domingo, Roberto Alagna, and Andrea Bocelli. He performances have won her the universal acclaim of audiences and critics across the opera world.
Getting her for a chat ahead of the run-in to Christmas finds her in great form. And why not? It's been another hectic year for the Kildare native.
John Byrne: He Celine! Good to talk to you again. What's 2024 been like for you?
Celine Byrne: It’s been busy but I’m very, very grateful because I know that when the phone stops ringing, I don’t have work. So, even though I say I’m really busy, I’m happy to be busy.
I’ve been away at various times in year. I’ve been in Switzerland, and then I was in Belgium for nearly eight weeks. I was doing Madame Butterfly there. I was in Antwerp first, and then we had a week off before we went to Ghent. It was beautiful there. It’s gorgeous.
And then there are preparations for my Christmas concerts. I have concerts in November as well - some fundraising concerts which are really eye-opening.
I did a fundraiser for Barretstown and it’s so amazing, the work that they do there. I was in awe of the work that they do for the children. And The Edge is one of their ambassadors and he opened a new facility they have there. So that was great. 2024 has been busy!
And you're back in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre again on December 16. You love that place, don’t you?
I do, and it’s actually sold out! It was sold out by Halloween. It’s one of several concerts I have coming up before Christmas. There’s one in the INEC club in Killarney - and that’s one I’m really looking forward to. That’s the 6th of December.
I remember when I was talking about doing the concert in the Bord Gáis and remember saying I wanted to get the tickets on sale to give people the option of getting in early. And everybody was saying, 'Oh Celine - people don’t think it’s Christmas until after Halloween. So it’s brilliant that it was actually sold out before Halloween. That was unexpected, but lovely.
That concert at the INEC will be a concert of the world of stage and screen - and obviously some festive favourites. A lot of festive favourites. So I have songs from The Sound of Music - I’m doing Edelweiss, Climb Ev'ry Mountain - Tonight from West Side Story, and then lots of Christmas songs. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and - of course - O Holy Night.
Then I’m doing another concert on the 21st of December in Kilkenny. The Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny. Then I have two concerts with choirs - one in Carrigaline on the 12th and one on the 14th in Drogheda.
I’d imagine you’d be looking forward to a quiet Christmas after all that, when you can take it easy?
I was talking to my friend this morning and I said, Christmas - I love Christmas! And I decorate the house early, but Christmas comes very fast for me because of concerts and it’s the busiest time of the year.
And also, I host Christmas in my house for my family. All my sisters and brothers come to my house, and we exchange gifts. And all the nieces and nephews will be there as well, so it’s quite crazy.
But for this year I’ve decided that - for New Year’s - that I’m booking in to a hotel to celebrate the New Year with my children. And just be nice and relaxed in a hotel foe New Year’s Day. And I don’t have to cook - which is something that I’m looking forward to.
We all need a bit of time to recuperate and relax!
You’re busy trying to entertain, but you’re also busy trying to prepare, clean up and do all that. So I’m looking forward to going to a hotel and sitting down with my children and not have to excuse myself to go and put on the dishwasher or take something out of the oven.
Before you know it, it’ll be 2025. Presumably you’ll be off on your musical travels once again?
January will be a time to gather my thoughts and try to work off the Christmas pounds! Then I’m going to do a tour of America. I’m doing concerts with Eímear Noone. People know her as the first woman to conduct at the Oscars and she’s Irish.
Then I have a couple of offers . . . I’m doing Tosca in Austria and I’m doing Madame Butterfly, which will be in the Bord Gais next year - in November. And then I’ve to get a date for my Christmas concert in the Bord Gáis. It’s busy - but I love it.
I love performing on stage. I love being in opera and I especially love doing concerts in Ireland. I love performing at home and I look forward to doing that.
I’m not complacent. I’m very grateful - all the time - for the audience. Without an audience, there’s no show. They’re the ones I’m so appreciative of the most.
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