Hello
Below please find information on RTÉ Concert Orchestra events for March to May 2013. Please note a few additions to previously issued information – David Brophy will conduct the Danielle de Niese concert on 9 March, the repertoire for which will include musical theatre as well as classical; the full programme if given for ‘Lady Ella’ with Claire Martin on 3 April; Kurt Elling’s concert on 21 May is confirmed as his first Irish appearance with orchestra.
Reasons to read on…the season features:
Kurt Elling, ‘the standout male vocalist of our time’ (New York Times), making his first Irish appearance with orchestra (21 May, NCH)
First Irish screening of Singin’ in the Rain with live orchestra (27 April, NCH, matinee and evening)
John Wilson shows why he is one of the most talked-about conductors of recent times with his glorious The Broadway Sound (16 May, NCH)
After bringing the house down last year, the superb soprano Danielle de Niese returns – this time mixing musical theatre in with the classical (9 March, NCH)
The first Irish performances of a symphony by the best-loved living composer Arvo Pärt and a landmark 20th-century piece by Andriessen (2 March, NCH)
One true jazz artist pays homage to another when Claire Martin sings The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook (3 April)
Young Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanski, ‘one to watch’ (Gramophone), joins the RTÉ CO for Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez in Boléro (10 April, NCH)
A celebration of film master John Williams in Dublin (28 March, NCH) and Cork (Cork Opera House, 1 May)
Ahead of the Eurovision, Derek Mooney presents a celebration in Mooney’s Eurovision Melodies (9 May, NCH)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra March to May 2013
Arvo Pärt and Louis Andriessen – Irish premières
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Reinbert de Leeuw conductor
As part of New Music Dublin
Saturday, 2 March, 7.30pm
National Concert Hall
Pärt Symphony No 4 (2009) – Irish première
Andriessen De Staat (1976) – Irish première
Just named once again as the most performed living composer, Arvo Pärt is known and loved by a wide audience that might not have heard of any other contemporary ‘classical’ composer. His 4th Symphony, a piece of slow-moving beauty for string orchestra, harp and percussion, gets its first Irish performance evening. The piece offers direct criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin with a dedication to Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a Russian oil executive with political ambitions who was accused of fraud and imprisoned in Siberia. Pärt has explained that he is also reaching out in this symphony to ‘all those imprisoned without rights in Russia’, and means the symphony as a ‘carrier pigeon’ he hopes might ‘reach faraway Siberia one day’.
And audiences here finally get a live performance of a landmark piece of the past century, Louis Andriessen’s De Staat. Thrilling, at times manic, visual and theatrical, this is a piece designed to be experienced live in concert. As well as some more usual orchestral instruments, expect electric guitars, two harps, two pianos and four singers, and the music still sounds fresh, dynamic and radical almost 40 years on. Again there is the political aspect as the piece considers the relationship of music to politics; how it can and can’t have an influence.
New Music Dublin is a major new festival that gives voice to a broad range of musical creativity from our time by showcasing the work of major international and Irish figures to the public, and through the involvement of many Irish artists.
Presented by New Music Dublin
A partnership initiative of The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, The National Concert Hall, RTÉ Orchestras and the Contemporary Music Centre
Tickets: €20 (conc. €18)
Booking: www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra with Danielle de Niese
Part of the RTÉ CO Signature Series 2013
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
David Brophy conductor
Saturday 9 March, 8pm
National Concert Hall
Danielle de Niese made such an impact in her Irish début with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra last August that both she and the orchestra immediately started exploring when another concert date together might be possible. A stage natural, with a glorious voice and tremendous expressive power, she is ‘not just a superb performer but a phenomenal one’ (Opera News); as the Los Angeles Times critic wrote ‘I’m not sure there is anything de Niese couldn’t do.’
This time, de Niese puts her vocal and dramatic skills to good use in a programme that draws from musical theatre as well as the classical repertoire.
‘de Niese proved that her bunch of keys to operatic stardom isn’t lacking an enviable technique that’s above criticism’ – Andrew Johnstone, The Irish Times on de Niese’s August 2012 performance with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
‘A voice seductive enough to woo gods as well as mortals’ – The New York Times
‘There is no doubt that de Niese is a star’ – The Times (UK)
Tickets: €15–€49.50 (conc. €13.50–€44.50)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
Across the Stars: The John Williams Collection
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Neil Thomson conductor
Thursday 28 March, 8pm
National Concert Hall
(Also in Cork Opera House, 1 May)
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra celebrates one of the greatest film composers of our age with an evening of his classics.
Film music is one of the RTÉ CO’s specialities and these concerts are hugely popular with audiences. This evening, enjoy live performances of the music that has made John Williams a household name and won him 5 Academy Awards, 4 Golden Globes and 21 Grammy Awards.
Rousing, moving, memorable themes from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., Harry Potter, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Munich and many more.
“He can take a moment and just uplift it, and he could take a tear that’s just forming in your eye and make it drip” – Steven Spielberg on John Williams
Tickets: €11–€38 (conc. €10–€35)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
‘Lady Ella’ – The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook starring Claire Martin
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Laurence Cottle conductor
Wednesday 3 April, 8pm
National Concert Hall
Hearing Ella Fitzgerald’s legendary Songbooks recordings as a young girl inspired Claire Martin to become a singer – and what a singer she has become! Jazz Journal considers her ‘one of the finest jazz singers in the world today’, Jazz Times calls her ‘the finest female British jazz singer of all time’, and the New York Observer describes her as ‘one of the most original and hypnotic singers I have come across in years’. A six-time winner at the British Jazz Awards, Claire is also one of Tony Bennett’s own favourite singers.
Ella Fitzgerald’s Songbooks celebrated the best of American popular songs from the likes of Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins and many more. This evening Claire and the RTÉ CO celebrate a jazz legend and a treasure trove of classics, with world-class performances of The Lady is a Tramp, Blue Skies, Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye, That Old Black Magic and many more.
An evening of classic jazz, the finest singing and the most authentically stylish orchestral playing.
Programme
Almost Like Being in Love Loewe (arr. Colin Skinner)
The Lady is a Tramp Rodgers (arr. Buddy Bregman)
Manhattan Rodgers (arr. Buddy Bregman)
This Time the Dream’s on Me Arlen (arr. Billy May)
That Old Black Magic Arlen (arr. Billy May)
Ambulatory Suite Gershwin (arr. Nelson Riddle)
Cheek To Cheek Berlin (arr. Paul Weston)
Too Late Now Lane (arr. Andrew Cotter)
I Won’t Dance Kern (arr. Nelson Riddle)
How About Me? Berlin (arr. Paul Weston)
Blue Skies Berlin (arr. Paul Weston)
Pick Yourself Up Kern (arr. Nelson Riddle)
Too Darn Hot Porter (arr. Buddy Bregman)
All Too Soon Ellington (arr. Billy May)
With A Song in My Heart Rodgers (arr. Buddy Bregman)
When Your Lover Has Gone AE Swan (arr. Nelson Riddle)
Three Preludes Gershwin (arr. Nelson Riddle)
S’Wonderful Gershwin (arr. Nelson Riddle)
But Not for Me Gershwin (arr. Nelson Riddle)
Who Cares? Gershwin (arr. Nelson Riddle)
Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye Porter (arr. Buddy Bregman)
Tickets: €11–€38 (conc. €10–€35)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
Boléro
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
John Wilson conductor
Morgan Szymanski guitar
Wednesday 10 April, 8pm
National Concert Hall
The Adagio of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez is for millions the sound of Spain. Heard in countless commercials and films, covered by musicians ranging from Miles Davis to Led Zeppelin, it’s just one of many instantly recognisable melodies on this Spanish menu. Joining the RTÉ CO and conductor John Wilson for the concerto is superb young Mexican guitarist Morgan Szymanski, classed as ‘one to watch’ by Gramophone and the BBC Music Magazine and ‘a player destined for future glories’ by Classical Guitar Magazine.
Add the dazzling orchestral colour of Chabrier’s España and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, the Toreador music from Carmen, the exhilarating final dance from Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat and Ravel’s hypnotic, sensuous Boléro for the ultimate musical taste of Spain.
Tickets: €11–€38 (conc. €10–€35)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
Singin’ in the Rain
Screening with live orchestra
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Neil Thomson conductor
Saturday 27 April, 3pm & 8pm
National Concert Hall
For the first time in Ireland, experience one of the world’s best-loved musicals with the immortal music brought to life by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. The remastered MGM classic is shown on a big screen above the stage with the original vocals and dialogue intact, while the RTÉ CO plays the orchestral score underneath.
The RTÉ CO has developed an enthusiastic and eclectic audience for these film screenings with live orchestra, many of those attracted by the concept into seeing an orchestra in action for the first time. This presentation of Singin’ in the Rain in Dublin comes hot on the heels of the long-awaited European premiere, which takes place in London in March.
Singin’ in the Rain is not just a great musical, it’s a great film. It has all the ingredients to make it a classic –a brilliant script, cast and direction as well as the wonderful music and choreography. Packed with imagination, colour and affectionate wit, it is one of the ultimate feelgood film experiences.
Choose between matinee and evening then sit back and relish routines like Good Morning and Moses Supposes, a sultry Cyd Charisse in the Broadway Melody Ballet, Donald O’Connor running up the wall in Make ’Em Laugh and an exhilarating Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain. Imagine all this accompanied by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra playing full tilt – what a glorious feeling!
Tickets: €25–€40 (conc. €23–€36)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
Across the Stars: The John Williams Collection
As part of the RTÉ Cork Proms
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Neil Thomson conductor
Wednesday 1 May, 8pm
Cork Opera House
Presented by Cork Opera House and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
(Also in the National Concert Hall, 28 March)
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra celebrates one of the greatest film composers of our age with an evening of his classics.
Film music is one of the RTÉ CO’s specialities and these concerts are hugely popular with audiences. This evening, enjoy live performances of the music that has made John Williams a household name and won him 5 Academy Awards, 4 Golden Globes and 21 Grammy Awards.
Rousing, moving, instantly recognizable themes from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., Harry Potter, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Munich and many more.
“He can take a moment and just uplift it, and he could take a tear that’s just forming in your eye and make it drip” – Steven Spielberg on John Williams
Tickets: €26 and €30 (booking fee may apply)
Booking: www.corkoperahouse.ie or 021 427 0022
Mooney’s Eurovision Melodies
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
David Brophy conductor
Derek Mooney presenter
Thursday 9 May, 8pm
National Concert Hall
In advance of the 58th Eurovision Song Contest (14– 18May, Malmö, Sweden), indulge your Eurovision fever with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and RTÉ Radio 1’s Derek Mooney.
A nostalgic celebration of the heady days of Ireland’s past success in Eurovision and in anticipation of future glory! The programme will include What’s Another Year?, In Your Eyes, Volare, Rock ’n’ Roll Kids – and there may be a few surprises!
Artists include Niamh Kavanagh, Paul Harrington, Charlie McGettigan and more….
For latest guests announced see www.rte.ie/co…
Tickets: €15–€39.50 (conc. €13.50–€35.50)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
The Broadway Sound
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
John Wilson conductor
Thursday 16 May, 8pm
National Concert Hall
Top line-up of soloists including Anna-Jane Casey,
Annalene Beechey and Elizabeth Llewellyn
New Dublin Voices
Having shaken the Royal Albert Hall’s rafters at the 2012 BBC Proms, star conductor John Wilson now takes The Broadway Sound to Dublin.
With Wilson’s baton pointing at the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and with a hand-picked cast of leading star vocalists for Dublin, he’ll be paying tribute to composers and arrangers responsible for that delectable Broadway Sound – among them Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers and Frank Loesser.
Featuring excerpts from Show Boat, No, No, Nanette, On Your Toes, Kiss Me, Kate and Annie Get Your Gun.
Tickets: €19.50–€39.50 (conc. €17.50–€35.50)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)
RTÉ Concert Orchestra with Kurt Elling
First Irish appearance with orchestra
As part of the RTÉ CO Signature Series 2013
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Tuesday 21 May, 8pm
National Concert Hall
“Elling is the standout male vocalist of our time.” – The New York Times
“Since the mid-1990s, no singer in jazz has been as daring, dynamic or interesting as Kurt Elling. With his soaring vocal flights, his edgy lyrics and sense of being on a musical mission, he has come to embody the creative spirit in jazz.” – The Washington Post
Making his first appearance in Ireland with orchestra, the RTÉ CO is proud to present….
– 2010 ‘Best Jazz Vocal Album’ Grammy winner
– eight times ‘Male Singer of the Year’ (Jazz Journalists Association)
– thirteen times winner of the DownBeat Critics poll.
Kurt Elling’s signature innovation, unexpected rhythms and jazz sensibility place him firmly among the greats. Don’t miss this rare chance to see the most innovative jazz improviser, re-inventor, baritone, scat singer and poet of our time, and the first chance to hear him with orchestra live in Ireland.
Tickets: €20–€45 (conc. €18–€40.50)
Booking: www.rte.ie/co or www.nch.ie or 01 417 0000 (no booking fee)