THE Irish Chamber Orchestra’s MBNA Limerick International Music Festival Weekend begins this, Thursday May 27 and will run until Sunday 30 using three different venues. It offers two orchestral concerts, the Viennese Strauss Gala Night on Saturday 29 at UCH, followed on Sunday afternoon by a musical extravaganza for all the family.
A candlelit choral concert at St Mary’s Cathedral by the ICO Chorus opens the festival programme tonight at 9pm. Directed by Máire Keary Scanlon, the choir performs two works by popular American composer Morten Lauridsen and Joseph Jongen’s Sonata Eroica.
“On Saturday 29 May at University Concert Hall, sit yourself back in time to the glittering ballrooms of 19th century Vienna with a magical mix of music and song,” invites the ICO’s Charlotte Eglington.
“The Irish Chamber Orchestra will be directed from the violin in traditional Viennese manner by its concertmaster Martin Zalodek, violinist with the celebrated Viennese Philharmonic Orchestra”. 8pm.
The Amazing Adventure of Dastardly Dr Darkpants, directed by actor and playwright Mike Finn, is on the afternoon of Sunday 30 May.
“Don’t miss our pre-show party at 2pm which includes face-painting, circus entertainers, storytelling and games,” says Charlotte. “There are also prizes on offer for the best superhero costume worn by the audience”.
Visit www.irishchamberorchestra.com for bookings or www.dolanspub.ie to get a ticket for Declan O’Rourke’s associated 8pm concert in Dolan’s Warehouse on Friday May 28.
Songs from Viennese salons in the 1800s are brought to life by Austrian soprano Elisabeth Schwarz.
