Focus

Finding a Distinctive Voice Finding a Distinctive Voice Adrian Scahill Diarmuid Ó Meachair, recipient of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year award last year, has recently released his debut album on Raelach Records. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Conversations with Joyce Conversations with Joyce Adrian Smith The world premiere of a new opera by Evangelia Rigaki and Marina Carr, 'Old Ghosts', inspired by 'Ulysses', took place last week at the Museum of Literature Ireland in Dublin. Adrian Smith reviews.
New Thinking for Sean-nós Singing? New Thinking for Sean-nós Singing? Dáibhí Ó Cróinín A new collection of essays on sean-nós singing, 'Dhá Leagan Déag: Léargais Nua ar an Sean-Nós', edited by Philip Fogarty, Tiber Falzett and Lillis Ó Laoire and published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht, explores a range of contemporary issues around the art form. Dáibhí Ó Cróinín reviews.
An Exploratory Suite Inspired by Achill An Exploratory Suite Inspired by Achill Adrian Scahill The group Cuar, led by musician and composer Neil Ó Lochlainn, has recently released its second release, 'Umhaill', featuring Ultan O'Brien, Sam Comerford, Colm O'Hara and Pádraic Keane. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Boundary Pushing Start for New Irish Musical Theatre Group Boundary Pushing Start for New Irish Musical Theatre Group Thomas Neill Newly established musical theatre group Entr’acte performed the coming-of-age show 'Spring Awakening' at Smock Alley Theatre on 25–28 January. Thomas Neill reviews.
A Homecoming Away from Home A Homecoming Away from Home Brendan Finan The Inishowen Trad Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Martin Tourish, presented a new work, 'Inishowen', at the National Concert Hall on 22 January. Brendan Finan reviews.
The Gradual Unfolding of Ideas The Gradual Unfolding of Ideas Adrian Smith Last week the National Symphony Orchestra performed four world premieres by Irish composers – orchestral works by Adam McCartney, Seán O’Dálaigh, Judith Ring and Karen Power. Adrian Smith reviews.
So That They are Not Lost So That They are Not Lost James Camien McGuiggan The Dublin-based Dutch soprano Judith Mok, born to Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, has recently published 'The State of Dark', a book telling the story of her family. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
'A Civilizational Battle': Russia, Ukraine and the Conflict Over Culture 'A Civilizational Battle': Russia, Ukraine and the Conflict Over Culture Adrian Smith There have been renewed calls for a boycott of Russian culture, but many Russian artists are at odds with the regime and we should support them, writes Adrian Smith.
Lesser-known Pathways of the Baroque in Ireland Lesser-known Pathways of the Baroque in Ireland Mark Fitzgerald The Irish Baroque Orchestra has recently released a third CD focusing on music that would have been heard in eighteenth-century Dublin, 'The Hibernian Muse – Music for Ireland by Purcell and Cousser', with Peter Whelan conducting and featuring the chamber choir Sestina. Mark Fitzgerald reviews.

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