If you come early (6.30 or 7 pm) barbecue food and home grown salads will be available. You can eat in the garden or, if it is wet, under cover.
For tickets (e18, food e10) email verelc@gmail.com or 042 9371490 and leave a message. You pay at the door but please reserve your tickets in advance. Directions to Anaverna are on www.anaverna.com/concerts/ and you can find out more about the quartet at www.carducciquartet.co.uk/

‘ Fields of Blue and White ‘ is Michael Holohan’s first full-length CD. The eminent Irish pianists John O’ Conor and Therese Fahy will focus on a wide range of the composer’s piano music. The recital and launch will include works which have been commissioned by The National Concert Hall and the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition. The pianists will also perform piano duets and a number of pieces by Chopin, commemorating the 200th  Anniversary of the Polish composer’s birth.This concert, which is being presented by Droichead Arts Centre is also funded by the Louth County Council and the Drogheda Borough Council. An event not to be missed!

Date:  1 June 2010

Time:   8pm

Venue: St Peter’s Church of Ireland, Drogheda

Tickets : 20 euro. (Ticket price includes a complimentary CD).

Biographies

Michael Holohan
Michael Holohan was born in Dublin in 1956 and has lived in Drogheda for the past twenty seven years, close to the Prehistoric and Early Irish Christian sites of the Boyne Valley which have been a constant source of inspiration to him as a composer. He studied music in Ireland and France. He has won numerous prizes for his compositions and his music has been performed and broadcast both in Ireland and abroad. In 1999 he was elected to Aosdana, Ireland’s state- sponsored academy of creative artists.

Therese Fahy
Therese Fahy is a Professor of Piano and Director of Chamber music at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. A former student of John O’ Conor she is now one of Ireland’s foremost pianists and enjoys an active performing career both in Europe and the USA. She has an affinity with French music and  has been critically acclaimed for her performances of the piano music of Debussy, Ravel and particularly the great 20th Century French composer, Olivier Messiaen.

John O’Conor
The Irish pianist John O ‘ Conor has earned a worldwide reputation as a masterful interpreter of the Classic and early- Romantic repetoires. In 1973 he was unanimously awarded First prize at the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna and in 1975 he won First Prize at the Bosendorfer Competition. He premiered Michael Holohan’s ’ Listoke Preludes’  in Drogheda  in 2002 and also performed  his piano piece  ’Monaincha’  in Bejing. He has toured the world in recital and concerto appearances and makes regular visits to Europe, Japan, Korea and China. He has been decorated by both the French and Austrian Governments for his services to music.

May bank holiday weekend – Friday 30th April to 3rd May 2010.

The Drogheda Arts Festival has announced another exciting and varied programme for the 2010 Festival kicking off on Friday 30th April.   The festival, which runs over the May bank holiday weekend, will host an exciting lineup of local, national, and international artists including the first visit to Ireland by acclaimed Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina, a world premiere of a work by Conall Quinn from Upstate Live, music, visual art, family fun and outdoor celebration, and lots more.  There is only one place to be this bank holiday weekend – Drogheda!

Friday 30th April will see the official opening of the Festival in the Highlanes Gallery.  The Marienbad Palace, a visual art exhibition curated by Jacqui McIntosh is divided between two venues in the town, the Droichead Arts Centre and the Highlanes Municipal Art Gallery.  ’The Marienbad Palace’ brings together works by Laura Buckley, Diana Copperwhite, Jorge De La Garza, Alicja Kwade, Haroon Mirza and Ian Monroe. The exhibition, which includes collage, painting, sculpture, installation and video, takes its title from JG Ballard’s 1989 short story ‘The Enormous Space’ and Alain Resnais’ seminal 1961 film ‘Last Year in Marienbad’.  The exhibition explores ideas of reality in a world where virtual reality is always competing with accepted notions of time and space.  ‘The Marienbad Palace’ has been commissioned exclusively for Drogheda Arts Festival.

Over the past few years, Louth Contemporary Music Society has brought world renowned composers to Louth, including Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, Terry Riley and Valentyn Silvestrov.  This year they are delighted to welcome Russian composer Sofia Gubaidulina to the town as part of the Drogheda Arts Festival. One of the world’s greatest composers, Sofia Gubaidulina will visit Ireland for the first time to attend a concert celebrating her work. Entitled The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina, the concert which will take place in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda on May 1st, and will be preceded earlier in the day by the showing of a film on her life and work in the Droichead Arts Centre

Also Saturday 1st May West Street running through the heart of the town will become ‘West Street Wonderland’ for one day only!  The Festival aims to revitalize for this day some of the empty spaces on the street, transforming Drogheda’s main artery with music, outdoor performances, and workshops.  The emphasis will be on participation and fun, with opportunities for all ages to engage with artists and theatre practitioners.

The other side of the river on Saturday and Sunday will see the Drogheda Spring Food Festival, located on the Waterfront, Scotch Hall.  Experience this two-day mini-festival of food offering the tastes and delights of the local food connoisseurs, a farmers market, craft butchers, restaurant tastings, ‘grow your own’ demonstrations and wine seminars.

Theatre and performance also feature strongly in this year’s programme.

-          UPSTATE LIVE presents the world premiere of  THE ONES WHO KILL SHOOTING STARS A new play by Conall Quinn (winner of the Stewart Parker award), directed by Paul Hayes.    This is a highly original entertaining and surreal tale of love and death set on a County Louth beach during World War II.   Absurd, bleak and hilarious in equal measure, THE ONES WHO KILL SHOOTING STARS is commissioned by Drogheda Arts Festival, and will undertake a short national tour after its festival performances.

-          A double bill from award-winning dancer/choreographer Claire Cunningham showcasing her exceptional dance technique and impressive power. ME (Mobile/Evolution) is a show woven from humorous stories; about doctors and dancing, bikes and ballet; all threaded together and balanced upon, hanging from, spinning on and swinging on crutches.   ***** The Herald

-          Cirque de Légume will bring their award winning new show The Cirque de Légume to Drogheda. Marvel at the Veget- animal! Enthrall at the Leek of Power! Fantasize over the Onion Strip Tease! WINNER Bewley’s Theatre Award – Dublin Fringe Festival 2009 and NOMINATED Best Male Performer – Dublin Fringe Festival 2009.

-          Community involvement is a key element of the Festival and this year Droichead Youth Theatre will bring the audience on a special journey through Secondary School in a site specific theatre piece in St Mary’s Diocesan School.

The Festival once again offers a very strong music element. As well as the much anticipated visit by Sofia Gubaidulina, the other music elements will include:

-          Acclaimed South Korean born pianist YOUNG-CHOON PARK performing on the magnificent grand piano in St Peter’s Church Drogheda.  Young- Choon Park will be introduced by sports commentator and Lyric fm presenter, George Hamilton. “…individually refreshing, while demonstrating real passion and style as well as outstanding technical proficiency…”   Sunday Times

-          Music Changes Lives – the young musicians from the acclaimed RTE factual series come to Drogheda to perform at the Barbican Centre.  Accompanies by other young music ensembles, this concert promises to be an opportunity to hear great music, and act as an inspiration for all children to explore their musical talents

-          Dervish, who will perform for one night only on Monday 3rd May as part of their 21st anniversary celebrations.

-          Grammy Award-nominated musical duo, Zero 7 (also nominated for Best British newcomer at the 2002 Brit Awards) with support by Andrew K (External Sounds) & Rob Mullen (External Sounds).

-          DJ Ashley Beedle with support by Keith Kelly (External Sounds).

Other events will include a poetry reading and conversation with Poet Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and the much loved traditional day at Millmount which will this year be held on Sunday 2nd May, with music, craft, Celtic warriors, the firing of cannons, boat-building, and the rapidly-developing Drogheda Fringe Festival.

Full programme details can be found at:  www.droghedaartsfestival.ie

The Drogheda Arts Festival is supported by: Louth Local Authorities, The Arts Council, and Fáilte Ireland.

The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina is presented by Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in association with Drogheda Arts Festival. The Fire and the Rose: the Music of Sofia Gubaidulina is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and financially supported by the Drogheda Arts Festival with supported by Louth County Council .

Press information:

Gerry Lundberg Public Relations    Tel:  01 679 8476 / 086 259 1070 / 087 259 1070    glundpr@iol.ie

View the Programme here.

THE SCHUMANN STORY: Clara & Robert
A biography told in letters and music with

Ingrid Craigie
Imelda Drumm – Mezzo-soprano
Julian Hubbard – Baritone
David Bremner – Piano

For tickets (e18, students e5) ring  Kate  042 9380836 or email verelc@gmail.com.
You are welcome to stay for supper (e25) after the performances but please book early as numbers are limited.

For further information & directions to Anaverna see http://www.anaverna.com/concerts/

PS: Kate’s Charity Gift Shop where you can buy Indian quilts, pictures mosaics etc., which is normally opened on Thursdays, will also be open on these evenings.

Sunday, June 13th, 2010 at 3.00 pm

“A natural musician to the ends of her fingertips”

(Classic FM Magazine)

“Jan Vogler played with a powerful, clear tone and dramatic intensity”

(The New York Times)

3.00 pm Concert

JS Bach: Suite No 3 in C major, BWV 1009
JS Bach: Partita No 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
Handel/Halvorsen: Passacaglia
Ravel: Sonata for Violin and Cello

Violinst Baiba Skride, a regular concerto soloist with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, makes her Irish recital début with the brilliant German cellist Jan Vogler in the intimate setting of Drogheda’s Beaulieu House. In addition to frequent appearances with the world’s finest orchestras, including the Boston SO, Chicago SO and the Zurich Tonhalle, individually each musician also enjoys collaborating with such distinguished conductors as Charles Dutoit, Lorin Maazel, Marin Alsop, James Levine and Paavo.

Järvi. As a duo they appeared at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2009 performing a critically acclaimed Brahms’ Double with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. They have also collaborated at some of Europe’s finest music festivals.

In addition to duo works by Ravel and Handel/ Halvorsen, Festival audiences can look forward to solo performances by these acknowledged leading interpreters of JS Bach.

Sponsored by Tipperary Water

Presents

“The Thomas Moore Festival”

Performing

On

Thursday 4^th March 2010 at 8.00pm

“Moore’s Irish Melodies - Ireland in Song”

Ireland’s finest young singers accompanied by Una Hunt (Piano) perform The Last Rose

of Summer, The Minstrel Boy, The Meeting of the Waters, Silent oh Moyle, and

many more of Moore’s famous Melodies.

Thomas Moore was Ireland’s national poet during the 19th century, and his Melodies

continue to be a source of national pride. Since 2008, the Thomas Moore Festival has

promoted Moore’s work through an intensive concert touring programme featuring

performances by outstanding young Irish singers and a world-premiere recording of

all 124 Melodies.

Leading pianist Dr. Una Hunt is a recognised expert on  19th century Irish composers,

and a frequent performer throughout Europe and North America, including concert

appearances with renowned Irish flautist James Galway.

Tickets €15                   Concession €12

For Tickets Phone 042-9373454 or 042-9373888

Or Email us at heritagetrust@eircom.net

Accompanying Gabriela will be by John Finucane, principal clarinet with the  National Symphony Orchestra,
and pianist Dearbhla Collins.

Gabriela is studying at the Royal Academy of Music in Dublin. In October she won a major prize and
scholarship in Italyand, this week, she is competing in the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition
in Dublin

The programme will include arias by Puccini and Mozart as well as Schubert’s miniature
dramatic cantata, The Shepherd on the Rock. (I heard Gabriela sing the latter in December. Its a gem)

You can find directions to Anaverna plus more details of the programme (when they are finalised) and a review
of a previous Finucane/Istoc/Collins concert on the website: http://www.anaverna.com/concerts/

For tickets (e18, students e5) email verelc@gmail.comor ring Kate on 042 9380836. Pay at the door but please
reserve your tickets in advance.

You are welcome to stay for supper(e25) with the musicians after the performance. Book early as numbers are limited.

Next week, exactly 100 years on, composer Michael Holohan will commemorating the  moment with a new piece of music theatre http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2009/1211/1224260495694.htm

A recital of original music for piano and the launch of local composer Michael Holohan’s CD ‘Fields of Blue and White’ was held in the National Concert Hall Dublin on 6 November 2009.

Works by Michael Holohan to include Monaincha, Carving the High Cross, The Listoke Preludes and other piano pieces. Fields of Blue and White is Michael Holohan’s first full-length CD performed by the eminent pianist Thérèse Fahy. The cd includes works which have been commissioned by the National Concert Hall and the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition.

Review of performance
The Irish Times – Monday, November 9, 2009
Thérèse Fahy (piano)
ANDREW JOHNSTONE
NCH John Field Room, Dublin THIS RECITAL marked the launch of, and consisted of music from, Thérèse Fahy’s new CD of works by Michael Holohan, Fields of Blue and White . Sampling Holohan’s output over more than 30 years, the CD places particular emphasis on his favourite genre, the pictorial miniature.
Its two longest tracks, Monaincha (2002) and Carving the High Cross (2006, revised 2009) were included in Fahy’s live programme, together with the three medium sized Listoke Preludes (2000, revised 2009) and four items of between two and three minutes’ duration.

The intuitive Irishness of Holohan’s work recalls the musical nationalism particularly of Grieg, for whom the folkloric application of cosmopolitan technique worked best on a small scale. It’s thus in the most compact sketch, rather than on a wider and more expressionistic canvas, that Holohan’s fusion of styles is at its most convincing.

By a River (1985) generates a sense of calculated accessibility; there are pleasingly harmonic touches to Aoise (1988) and Ommagio (1996), while Capranica (2008), a distant nocturnal image of the Italian town, articulates itself largely without the need for cadential stereotypes.

While the twisted gothic imagery of Monaincha and Carving the High Cross retained its rough-hewn, native aspects, in The Listoke Preludes Fahy’s advocacy fully brought out a thoughtful counterpoint of structure and texture.

Joy to the World, a musical celebration full of classical and popular Christmas favourites, will take place on Friday 4 December in St Conleth’s Church, Newbridge and Saturday 5 December in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dundalk. Presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, under its Principal Conductor David Brophy, with internationally acclaimed soprano Cara O’Sullivan and Irish chamber choir New Dublin Voices, the concerts will include much-loved songs Winter Wonderland and White Christmas, excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and much more. Tickets are €20 (concession €18) and are available to book from Newbridge Parish Centre, 045 431 121 (Friday 4 December) and An Táin Theatre, Dundalk, 042 939 2919 (Saturday 5 December).

Cara O’Sullivan, a native of Cork, is one of Ireland’s premier sopranos. Hugely popular with audiences, she is an instinctive performer with a remarkably full voice, exciting and dramatic, yet always performs with great sensitivity. Cara’s powerful stage presence compels audiences to watch and listen as her wondrous voice captivates. In Joy to the World, hear her sing festive classics such as O Little Town of Bethlehem, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear. Orchestral offerings of Fantasy on Christmas Carols, Christmas Fantasy and Sleigh Ride are sure to sound even more atmospheric in the peaceful setting of St Conleth’s Church and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Harry’s Wondrous World, one of the recognisable pieces from the movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will delight younger audience members while no Christmas concert is complete without a rendition of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

Joining Cara O’Sullivan shall be New Voices, a leading Irish chamber choir that has represented Ireland at international choral festivals. Accompanied by the orchestra, the choir will evoke memories of Christmases past with their rendition of Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire and Joy to the World.

Appointed Principal Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 2007, David Brophy is the leading Irish conductor of his generation. David has collaborated with many internationally acclaimed soloists, among them, Tasmin Little and Lesley Garrett. David has also worked closely with singer-songwriters such as Eleanor McEvoy, Paul Brady, Brian Kennedy and Declan O’Rourke, composers including Shaun Davey, Neil Martin, Bill Whelan and Arvo Pärt and traditional musicians, among them, Altan, Liam O’Flynn, Séamus Begley, Sharon Corr, Máirtín O’Connor, The Chieftains, Rita Connolly, Carlos Núñez and Sharon Shannon. His broad musical tastes have also led to collaborations with U2, Sinéad O’Connor, and Duke Special. In 2003, David conducted the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra at the spectacular opening ceremony of the Special Olympics World Games.

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra has been cherished by Irish audiences throughout its 60-year history, whether performing with international stars such as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, José Carreras, Kiri Te Kanawa, Katherine Jenkins and Russell Watson or with leading Irish artists ranging from Cara O’Sullivan and Virginia Kerr to Altan and Duke Special. With an unrivalled repertoire, the RTÉ CO appears at leading national and international festivals, on RTÉ Radio and Television and in the opera house, while through its commercial releases its recordings are distributed worldwide. A regular guest on RTÉ Radio 1 programmes including The Tubridy Show and Mooney, the RTÉ CO was also recently involved in recording the revised signature tune for RTÉ TV’s The Late Late Show. The orchestra’s education programme is presented nationwide to tens of thousands of young people as the RTÉ/The Irish Times Music in the Classroom series.

The RTÉ CO has been heard across the world in seven Eurovision Song Contests and its commercial recordings embrace many styles from the phenomenally successful Riverdance to Declan O’Rourke’s Big Bad Beautiful World and Duke Special’s I Never Thought This Day Would Come. Recent memorable concerts include “Bugs Bunny On Broadway” with Warner Bros. and performances with Altan, Marti Pellow and Aled Jones. In February the RTÉ CO performed Handel’s Messiah in the presence of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI with Our Lady’s Choral Society in the Vatican.

For further information please contact:
Maria Buckley, PR Assistant, RTÉ Performing Groups
Tel: 01 208 2773 | 087 410 0516
Email: maria.buckley@rte.ie

Saturday 5 December, 8pm
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Tickets: €20 (€18 conc.)
Booking: An Táin Theatre Box Office, Town Hall, Dundalk, 042 939 2919