Top class talent lined up for 2023 Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series

2023 Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series – Pictured above are Aebh Kelly, Cathal Killeen and Órán Halligan, Dearbhla Collins, Leon McCawley and Navarra Quartet

2023 Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series will be presented by RTÉ lyric FM’s Liz Nolan in All Saints Church

Limerick City and County Council’s Arts Office is delighted to present the 2023 Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series in conjunction with LOVE Castleconnell.

This wonderful series of concerts will be presented by RTÉ lyric FM’s Liz Nolan in All Saints Church in Castleconnell.

The 2023 Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series is supported by the Arts Council and Creative Ireland. Concert recordings will air on The Full Score with Liz Nolan at a later date.

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The first concert in the series will take place on Tuesday 29 August, at 8pm with Irish mezzo-soprano Aebh Kelly & the prize winning international pianist Dearbhla Collins.

Mezzo-soprano Aebh Kelly was born in Dublin and is currently based in Florence, Italy as a Mascarade Emerging Artist. In 2020 Aebh graduated from the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she studied under Virginia Kerr and Dearbhla Collins. Aebh is the recent recipient of the second prize at the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition 2022. She was also awarded the Dublin Song Series Prize and the Dermot Troy Prize.

Dearbhla Collins is one of Ireland’s finest musicians. The prize winning international pianist is a regular recital partner to many renowned singers including Tara Erraught, Fatma Said, Angela Brower and most recently Sir Simon Keenlyside and Nicky Spence. Her performances have brought her to the US, China, Japan, and many European countries. Venues include the Wigmore Hall, London, the Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Lincoln Center, New York and Festivals including Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and Dublin International Chamber Music festival.

Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series: Aebh Kelly & Dearbhla Collins | Limerick.ie

Praised for his unfailingly communicative playing, British pianist Leon McCawley has been delighting audiences worldwide since winning first prize in the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Vienna in 1993, and second prize in the Leeds International Piano Competition. We are delighted to welcome him back to Castleconnell on Tuesday 26 September.

Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series : Leon McCawley | Limerick.ie

Cathal Killeen & Órán Halligan will follow, presenting their programme on Tuesday 24 October.

Cathal enjoys a varied career in Ireland and the UK. He has been offered trials for positions with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and has been invited to play as Guest Principal Clarinet of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

Órán Halligan is a pianist from Dublin, born in 1995. As a soloist Órán has appeared with the Dublin Concert Band at the National Concert Hall to perform Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”, as part of their 60th Anniversary.

Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series: Cathal Killeen and Órán Halligan | Limerick.ie

On Tuesday 28 November we will round off the series by welcoming NSQF, Navarra Quartet. Taking its name from a bottle of red from the wine region famously known for its multi-coloured landscapes, the Quartet’s diverse cultural backgrounds are united in serving the music with relentless passion and commitment. Highlights in 2021/2022 include chamber music at the Lammermuir Festival, and performances in Ireland, Holland, Tenerife and across the UK.

Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series: NSQF, Navarra Quartet | Limerick.ie

Dr Pippa Little, Arts Officer with Limerick City and County Council said: “We have another exciting series programmed for All Saints Church for 2023. We are looking forward to welcoming new and returning audiences to Castleconnell. Join us for live classical music, by these highly skilled musicians, in this unique local setting for four evenings of exceptional recital performances.”

RTE Lyric FM Presenter, Liz Nolan said: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome you to the 2023 Castleconnell Autumn Concert Series- a recital platform for top Irish and international artistry, which today reaches out to a global audience. Since its inception, this endeavour has attracted a remarkable roster of classical musicians to All Saints Church, Castleconnell. And this season, we welcome another starry array of performers for the highest calibre chamber recital.”

Each concert begins at 8pm in All Saints Church, Castleconnell, and can be booked online through Lime Tree Theatre

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