Criticism

The Beauty and Imperfections of the World The Beauty and Imperfections of the World Adrian Smith The National Symphony Orchestra and tenor Gavan Ring gave the Irish premiere of Stephen McNeff's 'The Celestial Stranger' on 31 January. Adrian Smith reviews.
Poise and Elegance in a Rare Revival Poise and Elegance in a Rare Revival Brendan Finan The Royal Irish Academy of Music presented Haydn's opera 'La vera costanza' at the Samuel Beckett Theatre on 14–18 January. Brendan Finan reviews.
A Palette That is Subtly Unique A Palette That is Subtly Unique James Camien McGuiggan Nonesuch Records has just released a recording of Donnacha Dennehy’s major work 'Land of Winter', a 12-movement piece exploring Ireland's seasons. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
An Irresistible Contradiction An Irresistible Contradiction Adrian Smith Irish National Opera's production of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' is currently running at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Adrian Smith reviews.
A Travelogue of Places and Eras A Travelogue of Places and Eras Don O'Mahony Niwel Tsumbu has just released an album on Diatribe records of predominantly solo guitar. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Polyrhythms and Púcaí Polyrhythms and Púcaí Adrian Smith The 12th Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival took place on 22–24 November in Belvedere House, Dublin, and featured works by Shaun Davey, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Niall Vallely and Ailís Ní Riain, as well as marking the centenary of the death of Gabriel Fauré. Adrian Smith reviews.
Mapping Ireland’s Musical Identity Mapping Ireland’s Musical Identity Lillis Ó Laoire A new three-part series exploring music in Ireland, 'Creedon's Musical Atlas of Ireland' presented by John Creedon, was recently broadcast on RTÉ One. Lillis Ó Laoire reviews.
A New Voice, Thoughtful and Still A New Voice, Thoughtful and Still Brendan Finan Ergodos has just released 'Sea Salt and Turpentine', the debut album from composer Caterina Schembri featuring the Ficino Ensemble and Michelle O'Rourke. Brendan Finan reviews.
A Solution in Search of a Problem A Solution in Search of a Problem James Camien McGuiggan Singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill performed with the National Symphony Orchestra on 16 November as part of the Tradition Now festival at the NCH. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
In Bravo Company: Yeats, Shakespeare and the Unexpected In Bravo Company: Yeats, Shakespeare and the Unexpected Brendan Finan New Dublin Voices performed six newly commissioned settings of Yeats poems at the Pepper Canister Church on 9 November as well as works by Matthew Harris and Jaakko Mäntyjärvi. Brendan Finan reviews.

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