Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill in Concert in Middletown on March 13

Emmet Cahill, widely regarded as “Ireland’s most exciting young tenor” and principal vocalist with the PBS Irish music phenomenon Celtic Thunder, returns to Middletown to perform a pre-St. Patrick’s Day concert at Saint Mary, Mother of God Parish on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will feature traditional classics from the Emerald Isle, including "Danny Boy" and "An Irish Lullaby," as well as Broadway and movie favorites (“Bring Him Home,” “Moon River”) and more. Cahill will also take audience requests during the popular “song request medley” segment of the concert.

Cahill says, "I like to perform songs that have humanity to them, that tell a story. People want to feel connected to what I'm doing. They want to go away feeling that they've had an experience themselves. Through my songs and my stories, I want to make the audience laugh and cry.”

From the age of five, Cahill has been devoted to the world of music. He was awarded music scholarships, studied several instruments and received formal classical training in opera at the prestigious Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. Cahill has won multiple classical competitions in Ireland and was named "Tenor of the Year" by the Irish Music Association in 2013. He has toured around the world with Celtic Thunder since 2011.

The 29-year-old from Mullingar, County Westmeath added "solo artist" to his list of achievements in 2015. He then signed with Sony Music USA and recorded “Emmet Cahill's Ireland,” which went to number one on Billboard magazine’s World Music Album chart. The album offers the best of the traditional Irish repertoire, with Cahill accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.

Cahill has appeared on many radio and TV programs (“Today, “Fox & Friends,” “Home and Family”). He has performed at distinguished venues, including by invitation for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and at New York’s Carnegie Hall, where he performed to a sold-out audience. Cahill has had the honor of opening the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City as well as singing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

"I've always had a wonderful time visiting Middletown on my tours. I can't wait to come back and see everyone again. The church has stunning acoustics, and we'll create a special atmosphere on the evening. I'll also be asking the audience to sing along with me – so have those voices ready and warmed up!"

Tickets are $30 - $45 and may be purchased online at www.emmetcahill.com/tour-dates/, at the church or at the door. Saint Mary, Mother of God Parish is located at 19 Cherry Tree Farm Road in Middletown.