Acclaimed Irish Trio Blends English and Italian Lyrics in Stunning Live Recording From Upcoming ‘The Celtic Tenors: Live at the Empire Theatre’ Out March 20, 2026
The Celtic Tenors – Ireland’s internationally celebrated vocal trio – have released their stirring rendition of “Perfect Symphony,” out now through Slammin’ Media and Believe Distribution. Captured live at The Empire Theatre in Belleville, Ontario, the performance transforms Ed Sheeran’s modern classic into an intimate crossover experience that showcases the group’s signature ability to bridge contemporary songcraft with timeless Irish folk sensibility. The single arrives as the second preview of their forthcoming album ‘The Celtic Tenors: Live at The Empire Theatre,’ marking an exciting new chapter for founding member Matthew Gilsenan, alongside Daryl Simpson BEM and dynamic new tenor George Hutton.
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What makes this interpretation particularly compelling is the trio’s bold artistic choice to weave Italian lyrics throughout the arrangement, creating a bilingual love letter that flows seamlessly between languages. “Baby, I’m dancing in the dark with you between my arms / Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favourite song,” the tenors sing in English before transitioning to the Italian verse, “Ballo con te, nell’oscurità, stretti forte e poi / A piedi nudi noi, dentro la nostra musica.” This cross-cultural approach expands the song’s romantic narrative while honouring The Celtic Tenors’ classical crossover roots and their commitment to bringing diverse musical traditions into conversation.
The arrangement itself is a masterclass in restraint and sophistication. Recorded in a single take during their live performance, the track strips away modern production embellishments in favor of organic Irish folk instrumentation and the crystalline harmonies that have defined The Celtic Tenors’ sound across two decades and more than one million albums sold worldwide. Supporting the trio are music director Colm O’Regan at grand piano, Darren Bell on guitars and mandolin, John O’Brien on pipes, whistles, and bouzouki, and Cecilia Leahy on violin. The result is a version that feels both expansive and deeply personal – an invitation to experience the song’s emotional core in an entirely new setting. For producers and music supervisors seeking romantic content that transcends genre boundaries, this rendition offers rare versatility, equally at home in wedding playlists or at-home listening.
Matthew Gilsenan, the Kells, County Meath native whose emotive tenor has captivated audiences from New York to Shanghai, brings his characteristic storytelling warmth to the performance. Daryl Simpson BEM – whose British Empire Medal recognises his dedication to peace and reconciliation through music – adds his operatically trained power and nuanced artistry. George Hutton, the Derry-born tenor whose collaborations have ranged from Hozier to legendary Irish composer Phil Coulter, infuses the trio with fresh energy and contemporary sensibility. Together, their three distinctive voices create what fans have come to know as “one unforgettable Tenor Sound.”
The timing of this release positions The Celtic Tenors at the intersection of multiple exciting developments. Their new PBS television special – which began airing across the United States in late November 2025 on stations from WNET in New York to KVCR in Los Angeles – continues to introduce them to expanded American audiences throughout early 2026. An extensive North American tour launches in February with dates across the Northeast United States and Canada, including stops in Pennsylvania, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Ontario.
The Celtic Tenors’ ability to fill venues ranging from intimate arts centers to grand concert halls speaks to their broad appeal across adult contemporary, classical crossover, and Celtic music audiences—demographics that have propelled them to over 6 million streams on Spotify and 676,000 plays on Apple Music.
As audiences prepare to experience “Perfect” reimagined through an Irish lens, The Celtic Tenors continue to demonstrate why they’ve remained vital voices in global music for over two decades. Their commitment to excellence, infectious joy for performance, and deep respect for musical tradition create concerts that audiences describe as “evenings to savor.” This single offers a taste of that magic, captured in real time and ready to create new moments of connection, romance, and genuine emotion. With ‘The Celtic Tenors: Live at The Empire Theatre’ set for release on March 20, 2026, and a full tracklist featuring everything from the heartfelt intimacy of “Grace” to the lively spirit of “Galway Girl,” the trio is poised for their most significant year yet.
2026 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:
February 19, 2026 – Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre, Medicine Hat, AB
February 20, 2026 – Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, Camrose, AB
February 21, 2026 – Shell Theatre, Ft. Saskatchewan, SK
February 23, 2026 – E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, Prince Albert, SK
February 25, 2026 – The Strand Theater, Zelienople, PA
February 26, 2026 – The Strand Theater, Zelienople, PA
February 27, 2026 – The Strand Theater, Zelienople, PA
March 1, 2026 – The Kate, Old Saybrook, CT
March 2, 2026 – Basilica Parish of the Sacred Hearts, Southampton, NY
March 4, 2026 – River Run Centre, Guelph, ON
March 5, 2026 – Performing Arts Centre, Burlington, ON
March 7, 2026 – The Sellersville Theater, Sellersville, PA
March 8, 2026 – One Longfellow Square, Portland, ME
March 11, 2026 – Center for Arts, Natick, MA
March 12, 2026 – Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon, NH
March 13, 2026 – Center for the Arts of Homer, Homer, NY
March 16, 2026 – Riviera Theatre, North Tonawanda, NY
June 26, 2026 – Ceili at the Castle, Hillsborough, UK