Focus

Extreme Encounters Extreme Encounters James Camien McGuiggan American composer Missy Mazzoli's 'Breaking the Waves' received its European premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival in August. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
'The music jumped out at me from the page as I was reading it’: Raymond Deane on his new opera ‘Vagabones’ 'The music jumped out at me from the page as I was reading it’: Raymond Deane on his new opera ‘Vagabones’ 'Vagabones' will receive its premiere this Friday at the Civic Theatre in Tallaght. Composer Raymond Deane spoke to the Journal of Music about composing, musical tradition and politics.
Questions the Famine Left Behind Questions the Famine Left Behind Brendan Finan Donnacha Dennehy's famine-themed work 'The Hunger' received its European premiere in Dublin last week. Brendan Finan reviews.
‘I’m interested in … seeing stories unfold’: Andrew Synnott’s New Opera to be Premiered at Wexford Festival Opera ‘I’m interested in … seeing stories unfold’: Andrew Synnott’s New Opera to be Premiered at Wexford Festival Opera 'La Cucina' is the first ever opera on the festival's main stage by a living Irish composer.
Musical Love Musical Love Shannon McNamee The Another Love Story festival took place in Meath’s Killyon Manor on 16–18 August, featuring acts such as Cormac Begley, The Redneck Manifesto, Anna Mieke, Lemoncello, Dowry and Glasshouse Ensemble. Shannon McNamee reviews the small, art-filled festival now in its sixth year.
Here Comes History Here Comes History Toner Quinn Cherry Smyth's 'Famished' – a collection of poems focused on the famine – was performed at Kilkenny Arts Festival last week, with singer Lauren Kinsella and composer Ed Bennett. Toner Quinn reviews.
A Cello's Song at the Centre A Cello's Song at the Centre Toner Quinn Kilkenny Arts Festival presented the Irish premiere of Ed Bennett's 'Song of the Books' last week, performed by Kate Ellis and Crash Ensemble. Toner Quinn reviews.
The Freedom of Feakle The Freedom of Feakle James Camien McGuiggan The Feakle Festival in County Clare featured a range of traditional music acts, from the Martin Hayes Quartet to Cormac Begley and Steve Cooney. James Camien McGuiggan reviews two of the weekend concerts.
For the Cause of Classical Music For the Cause of Classical Music Hazel Farrell A new biography of Olive Smith, written by her daughter, the musician Gillian Smith, provides an insight into the progressive changes in classical music in Ireland in the twentieth century, writes Hazel Farrell.
The Ritual of Daily Tunes The Ritual of Daily Tunes Brendan Finan Lau fiddle-player Aidan O'Rourke has just released his fifth solo album, twenty-five tune compositions in response to the stories of James Robertson, accompanied by jazz pianist Kit Downes. Brendan Finan reviews.

Pages