THE Irish Chamber Orchestra based at University of Limerick is set to dazzle with a vibrant new season, themed “Shared Spaces,” running throughout the year.
Known for a collaborative spirit, the ensemble invites guest artists into their home turf, blending their music with various genres in an eclectic mix of performances. Their mission: to share these artistic spaces with audiences across Ireland and beyond.
Kicking off on September 12 and 13, Katherine Hunka will direct a Mozart Homage, enthralling crowds at UCH, Limerick, and Dr. Mary Strangman Room, City Hall, Waterford. The program features Mozart’s light and airy Divertimento K.136, showcasing his youthful brilliance, and Schnittke’s witty Moz-Art à la Haydn, filled with extraordinary virtuosity.
Rounding out the performance is Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, a beloved tribute to Mozart sure to set hearts racing.
October brings a celebration of love as Jörg Widmann champions Schumann. Audiences will be swept away by Schumann’s Overture, Scherzo, and Finale, inspired by his marriage, and moved by Widmann’s evocative Chorale Quartet. The month culminates with the joy and exhilaration of Schumann’s Spring Symphony at UCH, Limerick on October 5.
November sees the ICO teaming up with Chamber Choir Ireland under the baton of Artistic Partner Thomas Zehetmair for a powerful rendition of Mozart’s emotionally charged Requiem. Featuring soloists Ailish Tynan, Carolyn Holt, Robin Tritschler, and Padraic Rowan, this performance promises to be a roller-coaster of drama, hope, and redemption. Adding to the excitement is the world premiere of David Fennessy’s Blood on November 17 at Whyte Recital Hall, RIAM, Dublin.
The orchestra then heads to Berlin on November 23 for a performance of the Requiem as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24, an initiative by Culture Ireland and the Irish Embassy in Germany. The following day, they reunited with singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh for Róisín Reimagined, pairing her exceptional vocals with fresh orchestral arrangements of sean nós songs, directed by pianist Cormac McCarthy, at Elisabeth Church, Berlin.
Closing out the year, Katherine Hunka leads the ICO in their first collaboration with the Irish Youth Training Choir for a Choral Christmas extravaganza. The program features extracts from Britten’s beloved Ceremony of Carols, his Simple Symphony, Torelli’s lively Christmas Concerto, Mozart’s sublime Ave Verum Corpus, and Warlock’s enchanting Capriol Suite. A medley of popular carols will ignite the holiday spirit at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, and Whyte Recital Hall, RIAM, Dublin on December 13 and 14.
The Limerick dates are
MOZART HOMAGE – Thursday September 12, University Concert Hall @7.30pm
SCHUMANN THE ROMANTIC – Saturday October 5, University Concert Hall @7.30pm
A CHORAL CHRISTMAS – Friday December 13, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick @1pm and @7.30pm
