Focus

An Irish-language Elegy An Irish-language Elegy Kevin Boushel Chamber Choir Ireland and the Irish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Cormac McCarthy, gave the world premiere of Eoghan Desmond’s 'Amra Choluim Chille' on 15 March. Kevin Boushel reviews.
Short-term Thinking Won't Deliver Anything But Cuts to British Music Short-term Thinking Won't Deliver Anything But Cuts to British Music Christopher Fox Four months after Arts Council England made cuts to opera companies and orchestras, the BBC is now disbanding its professional choir and promising a 20% cut to its orchestras. Composer Christopher Fox discusses the growing crisis in British music.
An Incomplete Journey Through Chicago's Irish Music Scene An Incomplete Journey Through Chicago's Irish Music Scene Martin Dowling Richie Piggott’s recent book, 'Cry of a People Gone: Irish Musicians in Chicago, 1920–2020', explores the story of Irish music in the Midwest city, documenting important milestones and including numerous biographies as well as hundreds of photos. Martin Dowling reviews.
Love, Lust and the Passing of Time Love, Lust and the Passing of Time Adrian Smith Irish National Opera presented Richard Strauss' 'Der Rosenkavalier', starring Celine Byrne, Paula Murrihy and Claudia Boyle, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin on 5–11 March. Adrian Smith reviews.
Every Note to Be Magical Every Note to Be Magical James Camien McGuiggan 'Litir ó Do Chara', a portrait film about the late guitarist Dennis Cahill, was broadcast on TG4 on 5 March. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
A Tempered Solitude A Tempered Solitude James Camien McGuiggan Harper Úna Monaghan's new album 'Aonaracht' is a collection of six pieces for solo traditional musicians and computer, featuring Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn, Jack Talty, Pauline Scanlon, Saileog Ní Cheannabháin, Paddy Glackin and Monaghan herself. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
The Story of a City The Story of a City Drew Stephens The film 'Out of Place', which features Denise Chaila, God Knows, MuRli, Hey Rusty, His Father’s Voice and more, explores the challenge of finding spaces to create and perform in Limerick, during lockdown and after. Drew Stephens reviews.
Peeling Away Layers Peeling Away Layers Brendan Finan Damien Dempsey's 'Tales from the Holywell', a theatrical production directed by Conor McPherson and telling the story of the singer's development as an artist, is currently on a sold-out run at the Abbey Theatre. Brendan Finan reviews.
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.

Pages