Loyola University New Orleans Presents The Priests, Opening Tonight

In celebration of Loyola University New Orleans' centennial, the Montage Fine and Performing Arts Series will present the United States debut of the chart-topping recording sensations, The Priests, along with special guest vocalist Sarah Jane McMahon '02. The concert will take place tonight, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall, located in the Communications/Music Complex on the corner of St. Charles Avenue and Calhoun Street.

A classical musical group of three Northern Ireland Catholic priests from the Diocese of Down and Connor, The Priests have received worldwide acclaim and stellar ratings on Billboard's classical music charts. The one-night-only performance will include a variety of songs from their albums, including "Pie Jesu," "Ave Maria," "Benedictus," "How Great Thou Art," "Panis Angelicus," and "Amazing Grace," among others. 

"We are very excited to perform at Loyola University next month," Fr. Eugene and FR. Martin O'Hagan and Fr. David Delargy said. "It will be the very first live show we will have had the opportunity to play in the United States, and we are very much looking forward to it. New Orleans is going to be a very special place for us."

Tickets for the event are $25 for preferred seating, $15 for reserved seating and $10 for Loyola students, faculty and staff. For tickets and information, visit montage.loyno.edu or call 504-865-2074. Free parking is available in the West Road Garage, accessible from St. Charles Avenue.

The group signed their first record deal with Sony/BMG in 2008 and recorded their self-titled debut album in Northern Ireland and in St. Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican City. They sold more than two million copies of that album at such a frantic pace that it secured them a place in the "Guinness Book of World Records" as the fastest-selling classical album debut of all time.

"Loyola is thrilled to have the Priests with us, particularly since they are performing as a part of Loyola's centennial celebration, which is just now getting underway and which will continue into next year with more exciting performances by major artists being planned at this moment," said Donald Boomgaarden, Ph.D., dean of Loyola's College of Music and Fine Arts.

Hailed by The New York Times as "bright, active, and fastidiously musical," Loyola alumna McMahon is recognized for her beautiful vocal sophistication and sparkling stage presence. A regular performer with the New Orleans Opera Association, the celebrated soprano recently sang a gala concert opposite Placido Domingo on his newly dedicated stage at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. McMahon is a frequent guest artist at the New York City Opera and has also performed with The Munich Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre and Virginia Opera, among others.

Proceeds will benefit the College of Music and Fine Arts and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

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