Airs and melodies at Whitechurch

PRESS RELEASE

Airs and Melodies at Whitechurch

Each Saturday from 4^th October to 1^st November at 3 pm

Following on the success of the Whitechurch Concert Series last Autumn, South Dublin County Council is delighted to present another series of Saturday afternoonrecitals in the tranquil surroundings of The Church of Ireland, Whitechurch Parish, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

The programmes are varied and the musicians, who come from South Dublin and beyond, are excellent and inspiring. There is a slight emphasis on song this year, with two of the five concerts devoted to vocal music - Capella Choir (who hail from South Dublin), and the fascinating Welsh butcher-turned-soprano Budug Verona James, on her second appearance in South Dublin's concert series. This year also, there will be an informal chat with the musicians prior to the performance - a unique chance to get to know the artists and find out something about the music.

Commencing on 4^th October with Capella Choir under their director Vincent Whelan

A selection of songs, secular and religious, from different ages and cultures. Their diverse programme, ranging from Vivaldi to Stanford to Dvorak to Michael McGlynn, is bound to appeal to everyone.

Saturday October 11th 3.00pm Finghin Collins (piano) Catriona Ryan (flute)

Finghin Collins has devised several very attractive series of concerts for South Dublin County Council over the past three years. One of Ireland's most successful classical artists, he performs regularly on the major international stages of the world. Here we'll hear him perform one of Robert Schumann's greatest piano masterpieces, the Symphonic Etudes, which he will record for his new CD album later in the month in Berlin. He will also be joined by principal flautist of the RTE National Symphony Orchestra, Catriona Ryan, who hails originally from Rathfarnham. Catriona appeared in one of Finghin's first concert series, in Rathfarnham Castle, in 2005.

Saturday October 18th 3.00pm Buddug Verona James (soprano) Dearbhla Collins (piano)

A recital of Spanish songs by Turina, Granados, Lorca, Rodrigo and de Falla. A fascinating artist, Buddug Verona James is a butcher by day and an opera star by night! Her programmes are always inventive and intriguing and she is a delight to behold - as well as to listen to! She will be accompanied in Whitechurch by one of her regular partners, pianist Dearbhla Collins, for this very interesting survey of Spanish vocal music. This promises to be a most entertaining afternoon.

Saturday October 25th 3.00pm Elisaveta Blumina (piano) Works by Beethoven, Prokofiev, Mussorgsky

The very successful Russian pianist Elisaveta Blumina has recently settled in Dublin and this will be a great opportunity to hear her perform seminal works in the solo piano repertoire, including Mussorgsky's great masterpiece "Pictures at an Exhibition". Elisaveta has performed all over Europe and Russia with many fine orchestras and conductors and also plays a lot of chamber music. Not to be missed!?

Saturday November 1st 3.00pm The Blackmore Ensemble (UK) Marian Givens (violin) Emma Richards (viola) Anna Hamilton (cello)Duncan Honeybourne (piano) Piano Quartets by Mozart and Herbert Howells

The British pianist Duncan Honeybourne, returns to South Dublin County for the final concert in the current series with three young string-playing colleagues. They've recently formed a chamber group - The Blackmore Group - and in this concert we will hear two very contrasting works for piano quartet - one by Mozart and one by the rather lesser-known English composer Herbert Howells.

All concerts will be preceded by a chat - "Meet the Artists" - at 3.00pm; performances commence at 3.20pm

Some links: arts.southdublin.ie www.buddug.co.uk, www.blumina.com, www.finghincollins.com, www.duncanhoneybourne.com

For further information contact cryan@sdublincoco.ie