Focus

Balfe's 'Sleeping Queen' Returns to Dublin Balfe's 'Sleeping Queen' Returns to Dublin Una Hunt Michael William Balfe's 1864 work 'The Sleeping Queen' was his only operetta and written for surprisingly small forces. Una Hunt tells the story of the work ahead of its performance at the NCH – the first staging in Dublin in modern times.
Shocking Invention Shocking Invention Anna Murray In the first concert of their Music Network tour, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Máirtín O'Connor and Séamie O'Dowd moved between playfulness and finesse, writes Anna Murray.
On Risk and Restraint On Risk and Restraint Adrian Smith Adrian Smith reviews the opening concert of the Irish Chamber Orchestra's 2018/19 season, conducted by French conductor Jean-Christophe Spinosi and featuring a new work by Sam Perkin.
Torch Carriers Torch Carriers Don O'Mahony The first Quiet Lights festival of folk showcased a broad range of musical expression. Don O'Mahony reviews a double-bill of Dowry and Claudia Schwab.
What Does the EU Copyright Vote Mean for Musicians? What Does the EU Copyright Vote Mean for Musicians? Significant new EU directive means 'the platform is responsible and not the uploader'.
'To the heart of communities' – Chamber Choir Ireland Launches New Season 'To the heart of communities' – Chamber Choir Ireland Launches New Season 'Main thread is our work with guest directors', says Majella Hollywood of CCI.
Everything Strange Everything Strange Toner Quinn In the world premiere of Jennifer Walshe's 'The Worlding' at the Model in Sligo, her 'Aisteach' project comes alive, writes Toner Quinn.
'It’s all about enjoyment' – Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Máirtín O’Connor and Séamie O’Dowd on Tour 'It’s all about enjoyment' – Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Máirtín O’Connor and Séamie O’Dowd on Tour Trio begin 10-date Music Network tour on Tuesday 11 September.
British Music Criticism and Anti-intellectualism British Music Criticism and Anti-intellectualism Mark Fitzgerald Mark Fitzgerald reviews a new book edited by Jeremy Dibble and Julian Horton that examines musical criticism in Britain from 1850 to 1950 – including discussions of George Bernard Shaw, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Rosa Newmarch and Edward Dent.
Folk-Quake Folk-Quake Stevie Lennox In the third review from our 2018 Northern Ireland Music Writer Mentoring Scheme – supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland – Stevie Lennox writes about This is the Kit – music of gentle restraint and the pure unwavering vocals of Kate Stables.

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