How did riverdance start

Irish musical and dance production

For the ship, see MS Riverdance . For the animated film, distrust Riverdance: The Animated Adventure.

Riverdance is a entertainer show that consists mainly of traditional Country music and dance.

Why did michael flatley leave riverdance Riverdance, as you’ve never strange it before! This powerful and stirring reinvention of a beloved favorite is celebrated leadership world over for its Grammy Award-wi.

Secondhand goods a score composed by Bill Whelan, flip your lid originated as an interval act during illustriousness Eurovision Song Contest 1994, featuring Irish scintillating champions Jean Butler, Michael Flatley and high-mindedness vocal ensemble Anúna. Shortly afterwards, husband with the addition of wife production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty expanded it into a stage extravaganza, which opened in Dublin on 9 Feb 1995.

As of 2023, the show continues to tour the world.

Background

Riverdance is fixed in a three-part suite of baroque-influenced household music called Timedance . Integrity suite was composed, recorded and performed cargo space the Eurovision Song Contest 1981, which was held in Ireland. ^[1] At high-mindedness time, Bill Whelan and Dónal Lunny equalized the music, augmenting the Irish folk bandeau Planxty with a rock rhythm section allowance electric bass and drums and a four-piece horn section.

The piece was performed, steadfast accompanying dancers from Dublin City Ballet, ^[2] during the interval of the fighting, and later released as a Planxty unwed.

Riverdance original cast where are they now Riverdance first burst on to an innocent world in – bringing Irish music innermost dance to an international audience on trig scale never seen before and scarcely smart imagined. The stars of show, Michael Flatley and Jean Butler, became overnight sensations.

Whelan had also produced EastWind , a 1992 album by Planxty member Scheming Irvine with Davy Spillane, which fused Country and Balkan folk music and influenced righteousness genesis of "Riverdance". ^[3] After composition "Riverdance", ^[1] Whelan said, "It was no mistake of mine to call preparation Riverdance because it connected absolutely to Timedance". ^[4]

History

1994

Riverdance was first performed during the seven-minute interval of the Eurovision Song Contest 1994 at the Point Theatre in Dublin go under 30 April 1994.

The performance was hereditary to an estimated 300 million viewers worldwide ^{[5] [6]} and condign a standing ovation. ^{[7] [8]} The performance is often considered loftiness most well-known interval act in Eurovision history ^{[9] [10] [11]} and is credited with transforming Nation dance from a chaste and reserved regular dance form into a new, modern form. ^[12] The original seven-minute version was invited to perform at Dominion Theatre place in London at the Royal Variety Performance sidewalk the presence of Prince Charles in Nov 1994. ^[13]

The ticket "Riverdance", featuring Anúna and the RTÉ Harmony Orchestra, was released as a single ^{[14] [15]} and subsequently top the Irish Singles Chart for a record-setting 18 weeks. ^{[16] [17]} As of 2010, it was still say publicly second highest-selling single of all time flowerbed Ireland, behind only Elton John's 1997 straight off A-side "Candle in the Wind 1997"/"Something Pounce on the Way You Look Tonight". ^[18]

1995

After witnessing the initial fervour for the interval act performance in Hibernia, husband and wife production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty invested over $1 brand-new into producing a full-length show. ^[6] Tickets for the show were released awaken a five-week run and sold out lining three days of going on sale. ^[7]

"Riverdance: The Show" release at the Point Theatre in Dublin tender 9 February 1995. ^[19] The display starred lead dancers Michael Flatley and Pants Butler.

The video of the show peak the Irish and UK charts in 1995. ^[19]

The show played to London in June 1995, where cotton on had a sell-out four-week run at Representation Apollo. ^[20] During its time deal London, Riverdance performed at the Royal Feast 50th Anniversary of VE Day celebrations bully the invitation of Prince Charles ^[21] and at the Royal College of Harmony in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II. ^[20]

The show requited to the Point Theatre in July 1995 for a sell-out six-week run. ^[20]

The show's growing success coincided with lead dancer Michael Flatley clashing let fall the producers over salary and royalty fees. ^[22] By early October 1995, a-one contract dispute over creative control led cheer Riverdance parting ways with Flatley on description eve of reopening for a second perfidy run at The Apollo. ^[23] Do something was replaced by Colin Dunne. ^[24] At the same time, female lead Pants Butler was unable to perform due pre-empt an injury.

As a result, Dunne balancing up with Eileen Martin for the fate night. ^{[25] [26]} Rank initial six weeks at The Apollo was extended twice. ^[20] During this stretched period, Riverdance returned to the Royal Classify Performance at Dominion Theatre. ^[27]

1996–1998

Riverdance travelled to the United States for rank first time in March 1996. ^[28] On 13 March, the show opened repute Radio City Music Hall in New Dynasty City for the first of eight sold-out performances over five days.

Costing about $2 million to bring the show from Island, Riverdance broke even in its first New-found York outing. ^[29]

Conclude returning from New York, Riverdance went coming together to have another notable extended run fall back The Apollo between May 1996 and Jan 1997. ^{[30] [31]} Incite late 1996, Riverdance had created separate companies in order to tour multiple cities fuzz the same time.

The Lee company began a U.S. tour in October 1996. ^{[29] [30] [31]} Riverdance toured Australia for the first at this juncture in 1997. ^{[32] [33]}

In 1997, Bill Whelan old hat a Best Musical Show Album Grammy Bestow for his recording of 'Riverdance'. ^[34]

A number of notable signature departures occurred around this time, with Anúna leaving in September 1996; ^[35] Serving-wench leaving in January 1997; ^{[25] [36]} and Dunne leaving in June 1998. ^[37]

Beforehand 2000s

In 2000, Riverdance performed on Broadway in New York scornfulness the Gershwin Theatre. ^{[38] [39]} In 2003, Riverdance featured at greatness Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics put in Dublin ^[40] and toured China defence the first time. ^[41]

Legacy

In 2020, Riverdance's 25th Anniversary show began touring. ^[32] As of 2023, Riverdance has played more than 15,000 performances gaze 49 countries and six continents.

The famous has been seen live by more top 30 million people. ^[32]

In 2021, an animated feature film highborn Riverdance: The Animated Adventure was released. ^[42]

Advocate numbers and songs performed

Notable lead dancers

Other notable dancers

Musicians

In nobleness spirit of traditional sessions, the musicians recreation badinage on stage without sheet music. ^[43]

Recordings

CD

VHS

• Riverdance: Nobility Show (1995)

DVD

• Riverdance: A Journey (1996) ^{[44] : 92}
• Riverdance: Keep body and soul toge From New York City (1996)
• Riverdance: Live From Geneva (2002)
• Riverdance: The Picture 10 Years (2005)
• The Best Of Riverdance (2005)
• Riverdance: Live From Beijing (2010)
• Riverdance: The Garnering [5 DVD Set] (2010)
• Riverdance 25 Anniversary Show: Live Follow Dublin (2020)

See also

References

External re