LIMERICK Choral Union will perform Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at University Concert Hall this Saturday December 3. Book online http://www.uch.ie & http://thelcu.com or Contact LCU at (089) 2267899.
This concert is a must see for all in this Christmas season. Messiah is an awe-inspiring oratorio regularly performed by LCU who propel the work forward with great emotional impact and uplifting messages.
Limerick Choral Union (LCU) was established in 1964. It is an amateur oratorio choir based in the heart of the city and the aim is to make choral singing accessible, enjoyable and rewarding for the singers and audience alike.
LCU has performed in churches, cathedrals, and community and concert halls throughout Ireland and in many countries across Europe spreading the joy of singing far and wide and showcasing the talent, the dedication and the love that exists in Limerick for singing and choral music.
LCU will be accompanied by LCU Symphony orchestra and four wonderful soloists namely Jade Phoenix Soprano, Dean Power Tenor, Sarah Richmond Alto and Rory Dunne, Bass
Following ten years as an ensemble member at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Irish tenor Dean Power is firmly establishing himself as a solo guest artist on the international stage. He was born in Clarecastle, County Clare.
He graduated from the Bayerische Staatsoper Opera Studio at the end of the 2011-12 season before becoming a full member of the ensemble.
On the concert platform, Dean sings Handel’s Messiah in Limerick, performs a solo recital at the Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series, and joins RTÉ Concert Orchestra at the National Concert Hall in Dublin for the premiere of Civil War Oratorio, a new work by Irish composer Anne-Marie O’Farrell, written to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the Irish Civil War.
Mezzo soprano Sarah Richmond is known for her emotional engagement, with Opera Magazine remarking “Her voice was bright and clear, her acting wholly convincing”.
Sarah’s favourite roles to-date are Willie Guglielmo Ratcliff, Yelena Popova The Bear, Erika Vanessa, Veronique Le Docteur Miracle, Lucrece What Happened to Lucrece, The Boy The Musician, Meg Falstaff, Mercédès, La Zia Principessa, Suzuki, Dido, Cherubino and Dritte Dame.
Competition successes include winning the Toronto Mozart Vocal Competition, ‘Best Performance in German’ at Donauwelle International Music Competition and both Third Prize and ‘Premio Speciale Mozart’ at Concorso Internazionale di Canto Lirico Toscanini.
The choir has recently returned from a very successful Choral Festival in Sardinia, and has also toured and performed in France, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, Bulgaria and England. This progressive choir, always learning new repertoire, singing in many languages – Irish, French, German, Italian, Latin, and Russian and challenging both members and audiences to more complex and demanding choral works.
LCU is a choir for both professionals and non-professionals; everyone is welcome providing they can sing in tune. Through the Musical Director, Mr. Malcolm Green, LCU is involved in the Mental Health Awareness Week. LCU aims to raise awareness of the benefits of singing for mental health. The message is “singing is good for you”.
