Gile Series presents free performance of An Irish Christmas

CONCORD, N.H. — The William H. Gile Series will kick off its 2009-10 season of free performances with the acclaimed Irish ensemble Danú as they celebrate a traditional Irish Christmas with An Nollaig in Eirinn on Friday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Hailing from historic County Waterford, Danú is one of the leading traditional Irish ensembles of today. Their standing-room-only concerts throughout Ireland are true events featuring high-energy performances and a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire.

For over a decade, Danú’s virtuoso players on flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, bouzouki, and vocals (Irish and English), have performed around the globe and recorded seven critically acclaimed albums. Their live DVD One Night Stand, was filmed at Vicar St. Dublin. Winners of numerous awards from BBC and Irish Music Magazine, Danú has toured throughout Europe, the Middle East, and North America with stops at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Symphony Space in New York City, and major concert engagements in the United Kingdom, India, Israel, and across Europe. Danú takes its audiences on a musical journey to their native Ireland, offering a moving and memorable concert experience.

The William H. Gile Concert Series opened on December 16, 1960 after a legacy of more than $700,000 was left by Helen B. Gile to finance a free concert series for the residents of Concord. The bequest was made in memory of Miss Gile’s father, William H. Gile. Two to three concerts are scheduled each year and a great variety of attractions have been presented over the years.

The Gile Series will continue on Tuesday, April 27 with the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist Haochen Zhang. The youngest participant in the 2009 Cliburn Competition, Hoachen Zhang, 19, gave his debut recital at the Shanghai Music Hall at the age of five, performing all of Bach’s two-part inventions, as well as sonatas by Haydn and Mozart.

All Gile Series performances are free admission, and tickets are not required unless otherwise noted. Doors open 45 minutes before show time. For information call 603-225-1111 or visit www.ccanh.com.