Thursday is the night to put in your diary in January and February 2013 for the best live entertainment in town, presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
For world-famous artists – superstar violinist Nicola Benedetti will make her RTÉ CO début and the mesmerising Ute Lemper will deliver a stylish Valentine (Thursday 24 January & Thursday 14 February)
For irresistible pop – feelgood nights of Bee Gees and ABBA hits will have you dancing in the aisles (Thursday 7 February and Thursday 28 February)
And for comic opera at its best – a sparkling presentation of The Gondoliers will be led by Gilbert & Sullivan masters Richard Suart and Steven Page (Thursday 10 January).
Cabaret or classical, pure pop or light opera, whether you come to one, some or all, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra promises top quality and stylish entertainment, whatever music is on the menu.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers
Thursday 10 January, 8pm
National Concert Hall
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Neil Thomson conductor
New Dublin Voices
Duke of Plaza-Toro Richard Suart ● Don Alhambra del Bolero Steven Page
Duchess of Plaza-Toro Frances Bourne ● Marco Palmieri Mark Wilde
Giuseppe Palmieri Richard Burkhard ● Casilda Nicola Mulligan ● Luiz Eamonn Mulhall
Gianetta Daire Halpin ●Tessa Raphaela Mangan
Following a stunning performance of The Pirates of Penzance last August, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra return with a top-notch production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s last great success, The Gondoliers.
The tale concerns the confusion of the heir to the throne of Barataria for the son of a drunken gondolier. In lieu of a leaderless kingdom, it is decided that both the young prince and the gondolier’s son jointly rule until such time as the prince’s nurse arrives to distinguish the boys.
This is only the beginning of the twists and turns of this Gilbert & Sullivan favourite. Featuring songs like Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes, Dance a Cachucha and I Stole the Prince.
Tickets: €11–€38 (conc. €10-€35)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
Nicola Benedetti – The Silver Violin
Part of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Signature Series
Thursday, 24 January, 8pm
National Concert Hall
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
David Brophy conductor
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra is delighted to present international star violinist Nicola Benedetti, launching the orchestra’s 2013 Signature Series. Captivating audiences and critics alike with her musicality and poise, this phenomenal artist enthrals audiences worldwide with her dynamic performances.
Since catapulting to fame at age fifteen, winning the 2004 BBC Young Musician of the Year Award, Nicola has reached superstardom. She brought the house down in three performances at the 2012 BBC Proms. Featuring music from her recent album The Silver Violin.
“…. a truly risk-taking performance that lived so much in the body and fused the sinews of the violin and the nerve-system of the player.” – The Times
Tickets: €15–€49.50 (conc. €13-€47)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
You Should Be Dancing!
A Tribute to the Bee Gees
Thursday 7 February, 8pm
National Concert Hall
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Andy O’Callaghan conductor
Vocalists Kevin Keeley, Kyle Kennedy, Eoin McNamara,
Jennifer Healy, Joanne McGrath & Emma Farrell
Following a roof-raising audience reception in 2012, Andy O’Callaghan returns by popular demand to conduct the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and his team of funky vocalists in a feel-good evening of Bee Gees disco classics.
One of the best-selling music acts of all time, brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, as the Bee Gees, brought the disco scene into the mainstream with their Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.
Think back to mirror balls, medallions, afro wigs and melodies of the 70s like Stayin’ Alive, How Deep is Your Love, Jive Talkin’, Night Fever, If I Can’t Have You, You Should be Dancing and lots more.
This is a night for dancing in the aisles!
Tickets: €11–€38 (conc. €10-€35)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
Come to the Cabaret: Ute Lemper with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Part of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Signature Series
Thursday 14 February, 8pm
National Concert Hall
Robert Ziegler conductor
This Valentine’s evening, renowned German chanteuse and actress Ute Lemper joins the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for one of her trademark stunning performances.
Renowned for her renditions of sultry Berlin cabaret, French Chanson and the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, and with a stage presence honed by her extensive Broadway, West End and film career, Lemper bewitches, enthrals and hypnotizes audiences wherever she goes.
This Irish Independent review gives a flavour of Ute Lemper’s last concert with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, talking about her ‘exploding like a bomb on the stage of the National Concert Hall…the impact of Lemper’s personal individuality brings unrelenting vibrancy…Under Robert Ziegler, the RTÉ CO excels…only then is the vice gripping the audience released as the electrifying storm of Ute Lemper passes into the night.’
Tickets: €20–€49.50 (conc. €18–€47)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
Super Troupers – The Music of Benny and Björn
Thursday 28 February, 8pm
National Concert Hall
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Andy O’Callaghan conductor
Guest vocalists Kevin Keeley, Kyle Kennedy, Eoin McNamara,
Jennifer Healy, Joanne McGrath & Emma Farrell
Andy O’Callaghan returns by popular demand to conduct the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and superb male and female vocalists in another ‘dancing in the aisles ’70s evening, with the music of ABBA.
Following their 1974 Eurovision win for their native Sweden with the massive hit Waterloo, ABBA dominated the charts with nine number 1s throughout the 70s. The instantly memorable melodies, unmistakable harmonies and insatiably catchy music of Benny and Björn, perfectly executed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and guest vocalists, will leave the house clicking their fingers and singing Fernando all the way home.
Tickets: €11–€38 (conc. €10-€35)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)