ACCLAIMED Irish Mezzo Soprano Sharon Carty will be Irish Chamber Orchestra’s inaugural Artist in Association for its 23/24 concert season.
In September, Sharon is set to join forces with the ICO and Soprano Anna Devin to sing Pergolesi’s renowned Stabat Mater. This musical journey will take them on a tour to Waterford, Limerick, Clifden, and Birr, spanning from September 20 to 23.
Looking ahead to February 2024, Sharon will take centre stage to deliver Deirdre Gribbin’s emotive song cycle, a piece that struck a chord during its premiere at The Kilkenny Arts Festival.
The heart of this cycle lies in the poignant lyrics penned by Gribbin’s son, Ethan Stein, a gifted young poet with Down Syndrome, making it an extraordinary exploration of the bond between mother and son.
She also performs Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, one of Mahler’s most beautiful and moving songs.
Reflecting on the announcement, Gerard Keenan, CEO of the ICO, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch of the Artist in Association program.
“We are thrilled to launch our Artist in Association programme. This new initiative allows us to raise the curtain on an enriching collaborative relationship while at the same time offer opportunity to our incoming associate artist. Its explicit aim is to create new artistic inspiration and develop long-term partnerships through more in-depth, shared music-making. This residency will provide valuable time and resources for Sharon to further develop her practice which we look forward to sharing with our audiences over the 23/24 concert season”.
The Irish Chamber Orchestra remains steadfast in its commitment to partnering with musicians who exude both artistry and a deep passion for music, serving to inspire audiences.
Sharon’s connection with the ICO goes beyond the stage, as she will engage in singing workshops with the Sing Out With Strings students during her residency. This collaborative experience will grant these young students and their schools a unique opportunity to work alongside a seasoned professional singer within their classroom setting.
