This article is from page 36 of the 2008-07-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
ST SENAN’S Church in Kilrush will host a spectacular concert involving some of the most famous and revered names in classical music.
Organised by Kilrush’s own world renowned classical singer, Edel O’Brien, the concert will showcase the work of well known mother and daughter duo Geraldine O’Doherty on harp and Moya O’Grady on vio- lin, as well as French violinist Se- bastien Petiet.
SMITE Seet I Reeeheeele)temevmm enlists are from the RTE Concert Orchestra. They have produced numerous CDs and many works in their own right.
“We shall be performing a lovely programme of light and popular mu- sic by Mozart, Rossini, Gershwin and several others,” said Edel.
“We have deliberately chosen a programme that will have popular appeal. People will recognise most
of the pieces once they hear them,” she said.
”T am chuffed with the whole thing and very excited about it. I would love all of west Clare to hear them,” she added.
Many of the pieces have been spe- cially arranged for the night to incor- porate the musical instruments and singing.
“We will introduce each piece and explain the context,” said Edel.
The Kilrush woman has_ been working hard to organise this special event for July 26, with all proceeds going towards the church renovation fund.
‘For me the church in Kilrush 1s one of the most handsome and beau- tiful buildings in the country. It has great character and acoustically it is great. It is absolutely worth preserv- ing and promoting and Id like to give something back to Kilrush in my own personal way. Id like to say
thank you,” she said.
Edel believes she will be slightly nervous on the night.
‘The nerves depend on the impor- tance of the occasion and how well prepared you are. I am always more nervous on local occasions,’ she Said.
The talented young woman has been singing for most of her life.
At the age of eight she won her first féis thanks to the dedication of her late teacher Carmel Houlihan.
In her teens she began receiving professional singing lessons and has never looked back.
After school she received her de- gree and masters in music from St Patrick’s College Maynooth.
From there she went to study in London and France.
At the age of nineteen, she won the Margaret Burke-Sheridan Cup at the Dublin Féis Ceoil. In London, she was awarded a scholarship to study
singing at Trinity College of Music where she won a “distinction” in her postgraduate diploma in vocal stud- ies. In addition, she won the vocal faculty award and the college gold medal.
The Kilrush woman’s talent re- ceived world recognition in 2002 when she was invited as one of only seven singers to be part of the young artists programme at the prestigious Centre de Formation Lyrique at the Opera Bastille, Opera National de Paris. While there she won the Prix Lyrique, which is awarded annually to one male and one female singer at the CFL. Edel has much experience in opera, oratorio and recital, having worked around Ireland, Britain and ecbeleen
Tickets for the concert cost €20 and €10 for concessions.
The concert begins at 8pm and tick- ets can be purchased from the parish OS E(CLomeyuRe) OMA elomobrcanlm