Biography

Anúna is an Irish choral group. In 1987 Dublin composer Michael McGlynn founded An Uaithne, a name which describes the three ancient types of Celtic music, Suantraí (lullaby), Geantraí (happy song) and Goltraí (lament). One of the group's stated aims is to explore and redefine this music. An Uaithne became Anúna in 1991 and in 2010 adopted the name "Anúna, Ireland's National Choir". Most of the material they perform is written or arranged specifically for the group by Michael McGlynn. He also has reconstructed and arranged a substantial amount of early Irish music, which has been recorded by the group. McGlynn's choral arrangements are written specifically for their combination of classically trained singers and untrained voices. Anúna do not work with a conductor in performance, and move throughout the venue at different points in concert. Their standard line-up is twelve to fourteen singers.