Eric Rivera: hearts, stars, horseshoes, clovers & good tunes
Elliott Burrand David Medak
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Entertainment
Suited with a green tie behind a podium graced by an obligatory Kiss Me, I'm Irish sign and before a crowd that could put a Lindsay Lohan concert to shame-40 people-senior Eric Rivera delivered an exquisite and thorough lecture on Sunday, April 27 in the Memorial Chapel about the history and evolution of music of the land of whiskey and leprechauns, which was largely inspired by his study abroad.
"Six months ago, I tried to break the Guinness World Record for most people hugged in one hour," senior Eric Rivera said in his lecture, "I failed. But today I embrace instead: Irish Music."
Yes, Rivera will go down in history as one of an elite crowd to have hugged tons of people and not get a disease. And it's lucky he didn't, because he might not have been able to deliver the near flawless (aside from when he said "thong" instead of "song") hour-long presentation.
In addition to citing the origin and evolution of both traditional (chiefly Sean-nós) and contemporary (like Riverdance) Irish music, Rivera showcased his fresh vocal talents throughout the night, developed over years of rigorous training, by singing a sample of various Irish styles.
His voice filled the Chapel with sentiments of glee, and of sorrow. And if that's not enough, he quickly became a god among multi-taskers as he simultaneously strolled through the crowd singing a nice little diddy called "Gypsy Rover" and gave his mother Leigh a rose and kissed her on the hand - holy crap.
It was apparent throughout the show that Rivera feels a passion for this music. If he didn't, the presentation could have sucked more than the Karate Kid part III. But no, it was great.
Particularly noteworthy of the night was Rivera's incorporation of so many different styles and people into one presentation.
His brother Glenn, who accompanied on the saxophone, joined Rivera in his original handbell arrangement halfway through the night. Senior Quila Doyle, playing handbells, also joined him in this number.
In addition, the college jazz choir Vocé joined Rivera to sing Cloudsong, which was first flaunted during the world premier of Riverdance at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, Ireland. Rivera concluded the night with a special reunion with the members of the high school quartet in which he sang. The foursome sang, in perfect harmony, a song called "Celtic Blessing." This certainly added a feeling of nostalgia to the night, and left the audience with a sensation that, if it could talk it, would say: "ah, that's nice."
All in all, two thumbs up, Rivera. Two thumbs up.
"Six months ago, I tried to break the Guinness World Record for most people hugged in one hour," senior Eric Rivera said in his lecture, "I failed. But today I embrace instead: Irish Music."
Yes, Rivera will go down in history as one of an elite crowd to have hugged tons of people and not get a disease. And it's lucky he didn't, because he might not have been able to deliver the near flawless (aside from when he said "thong" instead of "song") hour-long presentation.
In addition to citing the origin and evolution of both traditional (chiefly Sean-nós) and contemporary (like Riverdance) Irish music, Rivera showcased his fresh vocal talents throughout the night, developed over years of rigorous training, by singing a sample of various Irish styles.
His voice filled the Chapel with sentiments of glee, and of sorrow. And if that's not enough, he quickly became a god among multi-taskers as he simultaneously strolled through the crowd singing a nice little diddy called "Gypsy Rover" and gave his mother Leigh a rose and kissed her on the hand - holy crap.
It was apparent throughout the show that Rivera feels a passion for this music. If he didn't, the presentation could have sucked more than the Karate Kid part III. But no, it was great.
Particularly noteworthy of the night was Rivera's incorporation of so many different styles and people into one presentation.
His brother Glenn, who accompanied on the saxophone, joined Rivera in his original handbell arrangement halfway through the night. Senior Quila Doyle, playing handbells, also joined him in this number.
In addition, the college jazz choir Vocé joined Rivera to sing Cloudsong, which was first flaunted during the world premier of Riverdance at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, Ireland. Rivera concluded the night with a special reunion with the members of the high school quartet in which he sang. The foursome sang, in perfect harmony, a song called "Celtic Blessing." This certainly added a feeling of nostalgia to the night, and left the audience with a sensation that, if it could talk it, would say: "ah, that's nice."
All in all, two thumbs up, Rivera. Two thumbs up.
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