CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY
King John’s Castle
Step inside the walls of Limerick’s most iconic landmark – King John’s Castle. Discover the stories of ruthless King John, the noble knights, and rebellious natives. New for 2021, try your hand at the castle’s new series of medieval courtyard games including medieval archery, tug o war, horseshoe throwing, quoits, our medieval seesaw and more. On selected dates visitors also have the opportunity to descend the walls of this formidable fortress and take in stunning views over the River Shannon and Limerick City with the all new King John’s Castle Abseil Experience. For more information visit www.kingjohnscastle.com
Mozart & Strauss We look forward to welcoming back Jörg Widmann for Mozart & Strauss at UCH in September. The ICO emerge from darkness into light with Mozart’s C Fugue. The healing Adagio reminiscent of a French overture is filled with bold, expressive progressions whilst the Fugue, rolls on relentlessly to its close. Richard Strauss’s post-war masterpiece Metamorphosen is seen as an impassioned heart cry for the death of German culture. The title was inspired by Goethe’s essay On the Metamorphosis of Plants, and his ravishing composition evokes themes of rebirth, growth and transformation. There are strong parallels to the music as we emerge from the trauma of Covid with a huge sense of renewal and hope. See www.irishchamberorchstra.com for concert details in due course.
Kilkenny Arts Festival 2021 As orchestra-in-residence at Kilkenny, the ICO is excited and delighted to collaborate this year with the amazing traditional singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh in Róisín Re-imagined. Sean Nós singing is enjoying a revival. Kilkenny Arts Festival and the Irish Chamber Orchestra have co-commissioned special arrangements from six leading Irish composers including Cormac McCarthy, Paul Campbell, Linda Buckley, Sam Perkin, Niamh Varian-Barry and Michael Keeney. Produced by Dónal O’Connor, Roisin Reimagined explores the connections between classical and traditional music, reimagining these timeless songs for a new era. We hope this online performance stimulates new interest in the Classical Sean Nós repertoire. It will be streamed from 13 August for a limited period. www.kilkennyarts.ie/programme/roisin-reimagined
University Concert Hall For a quarter of a century University Concert Hall has been entertaining the people of Limerick and the wider Mid-West Region. In that time the venue has hosted some of the biggest names in comedy, music, theatre and family entertainment while also supporting, and providing a platform for local and community organisations. While UCH is currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, Friends Memberships are a great way to continue to support the venue and the Arts in the local community. Friends also enjoy a host of benefits include no booking fees, priority booking and discounted tickets. As UCH works towards re-opening, Friends will enjoy all of these perks for some big name acts in 2022 including the High Kings, Imelda May, Jason Manford and Spring Operas. For full details on becoming a Friend of UCH or to see what’s on visit uch.ie
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