By Yuling Chen, video by Wang Yiling

“We are very much the part of the concert.” said Michael McGlynn, artistic director and composer from ANÚNA, Ireland’s national choir.

He has been with iChongqing on November 8, 2018, in Chongqing at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. That night witnesses the final rehearsal of the Concert of World Great Rivers, a highlight of the 9th China Yangtze River Three Gorges International Tourism Festival.

The band of ANÚNA, has a close relationship with River Shannon, which echoes the theme of the international concert. It is fair to say that rivers are the cradles of ancient civilizations. “The thing that we will take away most from our time here is this amazing river.” Mr. McGlynn talked about his first impressions about the city, smiling.

In his eyes, friendly people, fantastic food and breath-taking night view are all on his impression list.

When asked about what performance ANÚNA brought, the artistic director elaborated on two songs, one with typical Irish language text and the other being the popular Chinese folk song of Mo Li Hua (literally: jasmine flower).

“My daughter is going to sing that (Mo Li Hua). So for me, this is the first time she has ever performed with ANÚNA. And she is only fourteen years old. She is sing in Chinese,” the father proudly introduced about his daughter, and added with sense of humor, “She had an accent!”

If you want to know more about the versatile artistic director and humorous father, please watch the video and enjoy it.