UNIVERSITY Concert Hall has operated its Culture Night out of Hunt Museum for the past three years. Come Friday September 18, this waltz gathers more partners as the Opera Delights recitals claim an expanded list of performers.
Created with voice coach Olive Cowpar, we have a choice of 7pm, 8pm and 9pm songburst for when to take our seat in the plush Captain’s Room at the Custom House.
“All the singers are students or former students of Olive Cowpar and all are Limerick. That’s the point of Culture Night, to showcase what we have,” observes Emma Foote, marketing manager with the concert hall. “The evening will feature Sarah Ellen Murphy, Sinead Fitzpatrick, Kevin Neville, Derek Moloney and two more have confirmed since, Eva Stafford and Jean Wallace. Jean is returning from Britain where she appeared in the opera, ‘Queen of the Night’. Michael Young will accompany on piano”.
On Arts page going to print (August 24) the programme was not finalised but since 2012, there have been arias and duets from ‘Don Giovanni’, ‘Carmen’, ‘The Magic Flute’ and more.
“It’s great for anyone with an interest in opera and this event makes a lovely ‘taster’ for those finding their way”. As with all Culture Night, entrance is free but in this instance, ticketed for civility. Purchase on the evening in advance at Hunt Museum and be seated 10 minutes prior to your preferred hour.
Limerick Jazz will stage a late gig in the marquee by the river with the Brian Priestley Quintet making whoopie from 10pm on. The Hunt’s full schedule for September 18 is online now.
UCH at UL Campus steals a march on city and county events at 1pm earlier on the day. In partnership with Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, ‘A Taste of Trad’ will sound beyond céilí house.
It’s a new departure for this 1000-seater venue and bound to please the enormous UL and schools’ population as well as local residents. Jennifer de Brún, performing arts co-ordinator with the academy, looks ahead.
“It’s a first time for us although we have done things for Culture Night before. We have a lot of students around then and want them involved so students, faculty members and guest tutors are all in this together. Some are from the Irish Traditional Music course, some from Irish Dance and ‘A Taste of Trad’ will be quite like the ‘Limerick Fling’ which is our big extravaganza in the year [October 29 at UCH].
De Brún, herself trained in Ballet at IWA, makes the point that their college “is a big melting pot of different cultures”. Hence there will be impressive variety, the probability of Gregorian Chant, African music, community music and Gospel over circa 45 minutes at lunchtime.
