As Goldenplec’s classical-music coverage rarely strays out of Dublin (since this is where we mostly live) it means that we have to miss a lot of great performances outside the capital. One concert series that consistently punches above its weight—and not too far away for those located within the M50—is Co. Louth’s Drogheda Classical Music (formerly the Drogheda International Classical Music Series), which once again has unveiled an impressive programme for the coming year. On the go for several years, most concerts in this series take place in the intimate setting of Drogheda’s St Peter’s Church of Ireland, allowing for a concert experience not always possible in bigger city venues.
Sharon Carty
The series opens on September 8 with a concert fresh from this summer’s Edinburgh International Festival—and exclusive to Drogheda—as Ensemble Marsyas and mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty (directed by Peter Whelan) perform a programme of items from baroque opera, including Handel arias ‘Va tacito’ and ‘Verdi prati’, works associated with the Italian superstar castrato Giusto Ferdinando Tenducci: a colourful figure, whose career took him across Europe, including appearances in Scotland and Ireland.
Cédric Tiberghien & Alina Ibragimova
Other international performers appearing through the season include the acclaimed pairing of violinist Alina Ibragimova and pianist Cédric Tiberghien (performing works either by, or dedicated to, the great violinist Eugène Ysaÿe), and all-Russian programme from cellist Johannes Moser and pianist Andrei Korobeinikov, and a solo recital by Finghin Collins. The UK-based Gould Piano Trio perform trios by Haydn, Mendelssohn and Beethoven, while Opera Theatre Company presents six up-and-coming singers (including 2017 PlecPick Robert McAllister) in ‘A Night at the Opera’. For Christmas, Drogheda Classical Music moves to a larger scale, and venue, for a seasonal concert with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, featuring two of the prizewinners from the 2016 Veronica Dunne Singing Competition, Fatma Said and William Davenport.
Johannes Moser
Advance tickets for concerts are €19 & €17 (online / phone) or €20 & €18 at the door. Student / children’s tickets are €5, with a special full season ticket available for €100. Booking is now open through Droichead Arts Centre on 041 9833946 or www.droichead.com
Full programme:
Fri 8th September 7:30pm, St Peter’s Church of Ireland
Ensemble Marsyas with mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty and Alec Frank-Gemmill (horn), directed by Peter Whelan, in a concert of early operatic works including Handel masterpieces ‘Va Tacito’ and ‘Verdi Prati’.
Fri 13th October 7:30pm, St Peter’s Church of Ireland
Gould Piano Trio
Haydn, Piano Trio in G, Gipsy Rondo
Mendelssohn, Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49
Beethoven, Piano Trio in B flat major, Op.97 Archduke
Thurs 23rd November 7:30pm, St Peter’s Church of Ireland
Alina Ibragimova (violin) with Cédric Tiberghien (piano)
Franck, Violin Sonata
Ysaÿe, Poème élégiaque, Op 12
Vierne, Violin Sonata, Op 23
Fri 15th December 7:30pm, St Peter’s Church, West St (Catholic Church)
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra with Fatma Said (soprano) and William Davenport (tenor)
The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra featuring prize-winners of the prestigious Veronica Dunne Singing Competition 2016, Fatma Said and William Davenport, perform a programme of opera highlights and a selection of seasonal favourites including the beautiful O Holy Night.
Fri 26th January 2018 7:30pm, St Peter’s Church of Ireland
Johannes Moser (cello) with Andrei Korobeinikov (piano)
Prokofiev, Adagio from the Ballet Cinderella, Op 87
Rachmaninov, Cello Sonata in G minor, Op 19
Rachmaninov, Vocalise, Op 34 No 14
Prokofiev, Cello Sonata in C major, Op 119
Fri 16th February 7:30pm, St Peter’s Church of Ireland
A Night at the Opera
An evening of opera and song curated by Fergus Sheil (director of Wide Open Opera and Opera Theatre Company), presenting six emerging singers including Muireann Mulrooney, Amy Ní Fhearraigh, Carolyn Holt, Andrew Gavin, Cormac Lawlor, and Robert McAllister.
Fri 9th March 7:30pm, St Peter’s Church of Ireland
Finghin Collins (piano)
Field, Nocturnes Nos. 5 and 10, Andante Inédit
Rachmaninov, Preludes, Op. 23 Nos. 1-7
Chopin, 24 Preludes, Op. 28