BIOGRAPHIES

Chris Payne
Chris Payne is the creator of this project. He was born in Penzance, Cornwall and has been a passionate follower
of Celtic stories since his childhood. He has worked as a session musician and writer for Gary Numan, Dead or Alive, Randy Edelman, Peter Gabriels Band members with Johnny Warman, Visage and social poet Attila the Stockbroker. Chris is a classically trained composer having studied at Chichester and London and has written for; recorded and
conducted the LSO and Prague Philharmonic orchestras for music used in films and TV productions.

Emily Ovenden
Emily grew up on the edge of Bodmin moor in the mock gothic castle Barley Splatt.  A soloist  and writer in the No.1 selling classical act Mediaeval Baebes, Emily is also a published author. She is the proud owner of Chocolate Labrador 'Mrs Miggins.'
For more information please visit. www.myspace.com/emilyovenden

Nigel Bates
Nigel is a well-known producer, engineer and muliti-instrumentalist who has worked with Paul Carrack, Peter Gabriel, Steve Winwood, George Michael, Robin Scott, Trevor Horn to name but a few. This extremely versatile producer and composer is now based in Dordogne France where he has an amazing recording studio,which is used extensively by Celtic Legend

Dominique Adam
French vocalist who sings all of the Chorus vocals. Her very distinctive voice has become a feature of the Celtic Legend sound. She also sings the beautifully haunting lead voice on
'The Vine and the Rose' and 'Journey to Tintagel'.

Gwenno Saunders
Composer, singer and dancer Gwenno Saunders was born in Wales and speaks both Welsh and Cornish. Her father Tim is one of Cornwall's leadingpoets and scholars in the traditional Cornish language. Gwenno spent two years as lead dancer in Michael Flatleys 'Lord of the Dance' before embarking on a career in music and subsequently releasing two CDs on the Sain record label. She has also recently toured with Riverdance and Feet of Flames.

Gwenno is now a member of the chart topping group The Pipettes www.thepipettes.co.uk

Deirdre Shannon
Irish singer Deirdre features on the Celtic Legend recording as Princess Isolde. Deirdre has been a professional singer for many years touring with the 'Lord of the Dance'
company as 'Erin the Goddess' and before that with the great Irish choral group Anuna. She has worked with  Elvis Costello, Michael Crawford and Dionne Warwick and Air Supply
Deirdre has toured the world as special guest soprano with the 'Celtic Women' show which has toured extensively in the USA.

Patrick Bergin
Irish actor Patrick Bergin has starred in films such as 'Mountains
of the Moon' 'Sleeping with the Enemy' and 'Patriot Games'. He is
still a prolific actor, and also a poet, singer and composer in his own
right. He is at present working on a solo CD of his own compositions.

Andy Brodie
This  brilliant Cornish guitarist and formerly with the
celebrated West Country act Rhythm Doctors. This
versatile performer has also been a composer and
player for both Miracle and Kneehigh theatres and is
guitarist for the excellent  jazz outfit John Davison Trio.

Jim Carey
Jim Carey originated from Scotland, but has been residing in
Cornwall for the last 25 years. He has been employed as the
main writer for Eden Project but has also been the resident
composer for the famous 'Kneehigh' Theatre Company and
the 'Miracle' Theatre Company. This is what Tim Smit; founder
of Eden Project has to say about Jim. "Jim Carey composes
music that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
That speaks of warmth of fire and the breaking of bread.
The man is a genius."

Franck Hemard
Franck Hemard Breton composer and guitar player who
has composed music for various TV and radio programmes
in France. Franck co-wrote many of the themes for Tristan
and Isolde.

Francis Calavia
Francis Calavia Virtuoso Franco Spanish musician,
who specialises in Celtic and Andean music and
instruments. Francis spent many years playing for
the famous group 'Incantation' whose music featured
on films as diverse as Willow, Titanic, Braveheart and
the Mission. He has also composed a brilliant score for
the Irish music spectacle  'Soween'. Very sadly, Francis
passed away in October 2004 after a long illness and will
be greatly missed by all who new him and had the honour
to have played with him.

Tim Saunders
Tim Saunders is one of the leading poets writing in Cornish
today. He is the author of poetry and journalism in Welsh,
Irish and Breton as well as Cornish and he is the editor of
the Wheel, an anthology of modern poetry in Cornish 1850 to
1980. He is a bard of the Cornish Gorseth.

Arthur Brown
Arthur Brown of the legendary 'God of hellfire' fame sings the
role of King Marc of Cornwall. Arthurs superb presence and
intelligent interpretation of everything he sings still makes him one
of the great performers of our time. Arthur still performs around
Europe and still features his spectacular fiery helmet on stage
during his classic hit song 'Fire'.

Peter Sarstedt
Peter Sarstedt Most famously known for his hit songs 'Where
do you go to my lovely' and 'Frozen orange juice' has written the
lyrics for Tristan and Isolde. Peter is without a doubt one of the
greatest lyric writers in the English language. He has an amazing
feel for the subject matter and beautifully interprets the soul of the
compositions on Tristan and Isolde. He now spends his time between
London and Copenhagen where he composes his music and texts.