Secret Garden -- 'You Raise Me Up' -- performs in fall

The Irish-Norwegian band that has swept across the globe with new instrumental music, Secret Garden, will perform at Zhuhai Huafa & CPAA Grand Theatre in October to mark the 20th anniversary of their first China tour. Tickets went on sale on Aug 5.

After seven years' absence from the Chinese stage, the group will return with signature songs. They blend the ethereal beauty of Irish melodies, elegance of classical compositions, and liveliness of Norwegian folk music.

Formed in 1994, the band is led by the married couple Irish violinist-singer Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian composer-arranger-pianist Rolf Lovland.

The group won the Eurovision Melody Grand Prix Contest in 1995 with the composition Nocturne. Shortly after this, they released their first album, Songs from a Secret Garden. It sold a million copies around the world going platinum in Norway and South Korea, and gold in Ireland, Hong Kong, and New Zealand.

The Secret Garden [File photo]

Featuring vocals, piano, and violin, their music has gained a great deal of popularity in China, creating a stir during their first tour performances in 1997.

Their most famous song, You Raise Me Up, was published in 2001. It conveys strong religious themes and messages of power and strength through faith. It has been recorded by more than a hundred artists worldwide including Josh Groban who wrote it, famous English singer Russell Watson, and popular Irish musical ensemble Celtic Woman.

The highly anticipated show will treat audiences to other classics such as Anticipation, Belonging, Celebration, Hymn to Hope, Moving, Prayer, and My Land.

Tickets are available at www.zhgt.org and WeChat (ID: zhhcgt).

According to the organizers, the concert will coincide with the third ceremony of the theatre's autumn season. A repertoire of arts is also being slated.