Palisadian Opera Singer to Perform Classic Irish Songs at Corpus Christi Church

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

On Saturday, September 14, at 3 p.m., Palisadian opera singer Andy Rawn will perform a Classic Irish Songs Concert—kicking off Pastor Liam Kidney’s September Ireland parishioner tour.

Corpus Christi Church Music Director Will Salvini and Pastor Kidney will host Rawn as a concert send-off for parishioners who are flying to Ireland in mid-September on a “Pubs & Praties Vacation” tour.

Rawn will perform a litany of classics a cappella, including “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” “Mother Machree,” “The Banks of my Own Lovely Lee,” “Passing by the Garden Where the Praties Grow” and more. There will be 18 songs performed in total.

Rawn has always had an affinity for Irish songs: “Irish songs have a feeling of a tear being held back,” he explained, adding that they have delightful melodies and a sense of longing. He has been building a repertoire of pieces for many years. 

The Bluffs resident studied opera at LA Conservatory of Music, California State University, Northridge and UCLA before beginning his vocal career by winning an audition to tour 37 U.S. states and Canada as Mephistopheles in Gounod’s “Faust.”

Rawn’s theater career highlights include starring as Captain von Trapp in the Redlands Bowl Summer Season production of “The Sound of Music.”

Part of the show, Rawn will introduce vocal student Hannah Austin, who will add a rendition of “Green Grow The Lilacs,” a song of Irish origin, made popular in the U.S. by Johnny and June Cash.

The McNulty Irish Dancers of Redondo Beach will perform two songs as part of the show.

Twenty-five percent of all ticket sale proceeds will go back to the church.

Tickets to the show are $10 and available by calling 310-459-2326.