SOUNDING the drum for the MBNA Limerick International Music Festival, the Irish Chamber Orchestra is moving to a different rhythm. The accent is on access, emerging talent and cultural vibrancy as much as formal concerts.
“It’s an all encompassing festival, relocating to the former Franciscan Church in the city and with more local talent,” observed Charlotte Eglington, PRO, at the launch in Strand Hotel.
Note the high profile given to young virtuosos in different performances, names such as 25-year-old Soumik Datta on the Indian sarod; Irish flautist Fiona Kelly and the youngest ever winner of BBC’s Young Musician of the Future, violinist Jennifer Pike (18).
“We’ve always had a policy of promoting young musicians. We have several for our ‘side by side’ theme with orchestra members for our closing concert on Sunday 12,” Charlotte adds. “Anthony Marwood, artistic director of the ICO, will lead Kurt Weill’s Violin Concerto, preceding the Haydn mass”.
That’s one of three performances by the orchestra itself is with a largely baroque theme. Beginning on July 8 with UK violinist Jennifer Pike and Corelli, Bocceini and Vivaldi, Marwood will lead a Storms in the Night concert on Friday 10. On Sunday 12, the grand finale will be Marwood directing his orchestra and Paul Hillier the National Chamber Choir for Haydn’s Harmoniemesse (after Weill).
Featured vocal soloists during the week include Cara O’Sullivan, soprano; Carolyn Dobbin, mezzo-soprano; Robin Tritschler, tenor and Lisnagry’s Owen Gilhooly, who has an international career as bass.
For the first time, there’s a Festival Club at Strand Hotel each night. Expect a world of light entertainment after the 7.30pm and candlelit 10.15pm concerts to take place at the Strand, a hop over the bridge from the Franciscan Church. From lyric fm’s Liz Nolan’s launch supper with live music to Bare Space’s Theatre Company’s swing and soul to Sunday’s closing gig, Hunka Burning Love, these friendly gigs are open to all.
Parallel this level of activity – there is much more – with what is going on by festival arrangement in shows around town. Anticipate three Belltable productions: The Fisherman’s Son, The Happy Prince and Real Foxes are Creeping Up. There’s an exhibition of art treasures from Sean Keating at Hunt Museum and Limerick City Gallery will stage Open Studio & Vacation exhibitions alongside an open family day, Painting in Rhythm for Saturday 11. We are invited in to meet artists developing new work and chat with them over a glass of wine (Thursday 9).
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