Summer 2O23 National Symphony Orchestra
JUNE–JULY at the NATIONAL CONCERT HALL
DIRECTED BY GEORGE MORRISON, 1961 • STIÚRTHÓIR: GEORGE MORRISON, 1961
Film screening with performance of Seán Ó Riada score
Léiriú den scannán ar scáileán agus an fuaimrian ceoil le Seán Ó Riada á sheinm ag ceolfhoireann shiansach.
Gavin Maloney conductor / stiúrthóir
Mick O’Brien uilleann pipes / píb uilleann
Irish narration with English subtitles
Tráchtaireacht i nGaeilge le fotheidil as Béarla
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FRIDAY 9 JUNE, 7.30pm
Saoirse?
The National Symphony Orchestra proudly partners with the Irish Film Institute and Gael Linn to present a screening with live orchestral accompaniment of Saoirse?, the acclaimed historical documentary directed by the renowned filmmaker George Morrison, now in his one hundredth and first year, with a score by Seán Ó Ríada.
Is cúis bróid é don Cheolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta an scannán Saoirse? a léiriú i bpáirtnéireacht le Áras Scannán na hÉireann agus
Gael Linn, le tionlacan beo ón cheolfhoireann. Leagan ardmholta é Saoirse? de thréimhse áirithe i stair na hÉireann, léirithe ag an déantóir cáiliúil cláir faisnéise George Morrison atá anois i mbliain a chéad agus a haon. Seán Ó Riada a chum an scór.
Saoirse? (1961), a sequel to Mise Éire (1959), chronicles the turbulent period in Irish history from 1919–1922 with the War of Independence, the Truce, the Treaty and tragically, the outbreak of the Civil War. The story unfolds before the lens of Irish and British newsreel operators and through the words of scriptwriter Seán Mac Réamoinn.
Scannán leantach é Saoirse? (1961) ar Mise Éire (1959) a insíonn scéal na tréimhse is suaití i stair na hÉireann ó 1919 go 1922, inar tharla
Cogadh na Saoirse, an Conradh Síochána agus, go tragóideach, briseadh amach an Chogaidh Chathartha. Insítear an scéal trí lionsa comhlachtaí nuachtscannán Éireannach agus Sasanach agus trí fhocail an scriptscríbhneora, Seán Mac Réamoinn.
Tickets/ticéid: €15, €20, €25, €30
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Limited concessions available / Líon teoranta de thicéid ar lacáiste ar fáil
National Symphony Orchestra
Lunchtime Concert
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SINÉAD FARRELL
TUESDAY 13 JUNE, 1.05pm
Adam Hickox, conductor
Sinéad Farrell, piccolo
Presented by Liz Nolan, RTÉ lyric fm
Respighi Trittico Bottecelliano
Vivaldi Piccolo Concerto in C major
Puccini ‘La Tregenda’ from Le Villi
Verdi The Sicilian Vespers Overture
A veritable musical smorgasbord for the first of the NSO’s appetising Summer lunchtime concerts with Respighi’s colourful tribute to Botticelli, pirouetting Vivaldi, frenzied Puccini and Verdi at his most dramatic.
Leading it all is Adam Hickox, praised as a ‘consummate, wellmannered musician of skill’ (The Boston Musical Intelligencer).
Respighi’s glistening Trittico Bottecelliano brings three paintings by the 15th-century master Botticelli to decorative, delicate life.
The NSO’s Principal Piccolo, Sinéad Farrell, steps into the limelight for Vivaldi’s C major Piccolo Concerto, a dazzling display of Baroque beauty and exuberance.
Puccini’s ‘La Tregenda’, is a thrilling depiction of vengeful fairies casting a spell on an errant ex-lover compelling him to dance himself to death.
The Overture to The Sicilian Vespers is a brilliant demonstration of an orchestra at its most poetic, romantic and dramatic.
Broadcast on The Full Score with Liz Nolan on RTÉ lyric fm.
Tickets: €15
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FRIDAY 16 & SATURDAY 17 JUNE, 7 .30pm
Superman in Concert
Anthony Gabriele, conductor
YOU’LL BELIEVE A MAN CAN FLY
The National Symphony Orchestra proudly partners with Film Concerts Live! to present Superman in Concert. By arrangement with Warner Bros. Pictures, Hollywood’s greatest cinematic superhero returns to the big screen in the film that started it all. Experience the Man of Steel accompanied by the power of a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ triumphant original score live to picture!
Directed by Richard Donner, and showcasing a young Christopher Reeve in a breakout performance that would make him an international superstar, Superman features a star-studded cast including Margot Kidder as intrepid reporter Lois Lane, Gene Hackman as the villainous Lex Luthor, and the inimitable Marlon Brando as Jor-El.
Donner’s brilliant big-screen adaptation relays the inspiring origins of Superman, from his narrow escape as an infant from the doomed planet Krypton, to his formative years on a farm in Smallville, Kansas, and finally to his arrival in Metropolis, where he leads dual lives as mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent and as the mythic Man of Steel. Don’t miss this exciting chance to experience a beloved classic film as never before!
Tickets: €24.50 (restricted view), €34.50, €44.50, €49.50
SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. © 2019 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Limited concessions available 7
National Symphony Orchestra
Lunchtime Concert
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DAVID GOODE
TUESDAY 20 JUNE, 1.05pm
David Leigh, conductor
Valentine Laporte, flute
David Goode, organ
Presented by Liz Nolan, RTÉ lyric fm
Dupré Cortège et Litanie
Ibert Flute Concerto
Saint-Saëns Cyprès et lauriers (Cypress and Laurels)
The ‘king of instruments’, the organ, shares the lunchtime limelight with the flute as both take centre stage in a glorious trio of French fancies by Dupré, Ibert and Saint-Saëns as part of this year’s Pipeworks Festival.
Organist David Goode – ‘a performer of tremendous resource… with uncompromising skill’ (Musical Opinion) – joins for two evocative miniature masterpieces, with fellow organist of Dublin’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, David Leigh, on the conductor’s podium.
Dupré’s Cortège et Litanie is full of powerful emotions and surging drama. Composed in celebration of victory in the First World War, Saint-Saëns’ Cyprès et lauriers moves from funereal keening to triumphant resolve and resolution, fragile peace and sweet optimism shared by organ and orchestra singing with one rousing voice.
Ibert’s Flute Concerto is both animated and hypnotically melodic.
2022’s Irish Freemasons’ Young Musician award-winner Valentine Laporte promises a ravishing reading to remember.
Broadcast on The Full Score with Liz Nolan on RTÉ lyric fm.
Tickets: €15
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IN CONCERT
FRIDAY 23 & SATURDAY 24 JUNE, 7 .30pm
Spectre in Concert
Anthony Gabriele, conductor
The National Symphony Orchestra proudly partners with Film Concerts Live! to present the third installment in the James Bond Concert Series, Spectre in Concert, produced in association with EON Productions and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios (MGM). For the first time experience composer Thomas Newman’s super-charged musical score performed live by a full symphony orchestra in sync to director Sam Mendes’ thrilling cinematic extravaganza.
Daniel Craig returns as the inimitable 007, who must infiltrate a mysterious criminal organisation known as Spectre, controlled by the villainous Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz). From Mexico City’s colorful Day of the Dead celebration to the ancient streets of Rome, and from the dazzling ski slopes of Switzerland and sizzling sands of North Africa, Bond must race against time to stop Blofeld from taking total control of the world’s intelligence agencies for his own nefarious ends.
Léa Seydoux stars as the alluring Madeleine Swann, and Ralph Fiennes returns as M, along with Ben Wishaw as the stalwart quartermaster Q and Naomie Harris as the resourceful Moneypenny. Spectre in Concert, featuring the excitement of a live symphony orchestra, truly is Bond at his best!
SPECTRE © 2015 Danjaq, LLC, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.
SPECTRE, and related James Bond Indicia © 1962-2023 Danjaq, LLC and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. SPECTRE, and related James Bond Trademarks are trademarks of Danjaq, LLC.
All Rights Reserved.
Tickets: €24.50 (restricted view), €34.50, €44.50, €49.50
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Limited concessions available
THE MUSIC OF HARRY POTTER
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FRIDAY 30 JUNE, 7.30pm
The Music of Harry Potter
Richard Kaufmann, conductor
Classic themes from the epic, eight-part Harry Potter film series including Harry Potter and...
...the Philosopher’s Stone ‘Hedwig’s Theme’, ‘Hogwarts Forever’
...the Chamber of Secrets ‘Dobby the House Elf’, ‘Fawkes the Phoenix’
...the Prisoner of Azkaban ‘Witches, Wands and Wizards’
...the Goblet of Fire ‘Harry’s Love Theme’
...the Order of the Phoenix ‘Quidditch World Cup’
...the Half-Blood Prince ‘Harry and Hermione’
...the Deathly Hollows ‘Lily’s Theme’, ‘Obliviate’
Welcome to the magical world of Hogwarts, of wizards and evil Dark Lords, of friendship, romance and adventure beyond the imagination of Muggles as we celebrate The Music of Harry Potter.
Re-live the wondrous story of a young wizard who becomes a hero as we follow Harry Potter’s journey from a forlorn cupboard under the stairs to the fateful Deathly Hollows, courtesy of drama-filled, romance-laced, fantasy-infused music by Patrick Doyle, Alexandre Desplat, Nicholas Hooper and Hollywood legend John Williams from the spectacular film series.
As Hogwarts’ wise Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, himself said, ‘Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here!’
Tickets: €15, €23.50, €31, €38.50.
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Limited concessions available
National Symphony Orchestra Lunchtime Concert
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GREG CROWLEY
TUESDAY 4 JULY, 1.05pm
David Brophy, conductor
John Finucane, clarinet • Greg Crowley, bassoon
Presented by Liz Nolan, RTÉ lyric fm
Weber Invitation to the Dance
J. Strauss II/ Joseph Strauss Pizzicato Polka
R. Strauss Duet Concertino
Korngold Straussiana
J. Strauss II By the Beautiful Blue Danube
The National Symphony Orchestra’s former Principal Clarinet, John Finucane, and Principal Bassoon, Greg Crowley, come together for a delectable collection of dance-influenced pieces.
Infused with the irresistible appeal of the waltz, Weber’s Invitation to the Dance is packed with exhilarating melodies to satisfy head, heart and feet, while the Strauss brothers, Johann the younger and Joseph, take a delightfully tongue-in-cheek approach with their Pizzicato Polka in which strings are audaciously plucked throughout.
Richard Strauss’s delightful, watercolour-delicate Duet Concertino finds clarinet and bassoon cavorting, carousing and caressing with a light, lilting and altogether infectious liveliness.
Korngold’s Straussiana pays elegant tribute to the Waltz King, Johann Strauss II, in an exquisite suite in miniature which sparkles with Viennese glitter and gaiety.
To end, the most famous and familiar waltz ever composed: Johann Strauss II’s By the Beautiful Blue Danube. An hypnotically engaging hymnal to the mighty River Danube, it is music of altogether beguiling beauty.
Broadcast on The Full Score with Liz Nolan on RTÉ lyric fm.
Tickets: €15
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OPERA GALA WITH CELINE BYRNE
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Proinnsías Ó Duinn conductor
FRIDAY 7 JULY, 7.30pm
Opera Gala with Celine Byrne
Chabrier España
Luna De España vengo
Granados ‘La Maja y el Ruiseñor’ (Goyescas)
Gardel Tango (Pour Una Cabeza)
arr. Williams
Ravel Alborada de gracioso
Delibes Les filles de Cadix
Lehár ‘Meine Lippen, sie kussen so heiss’ (Giuditta)
Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture
Gounod ‘The Jewel Song’ (Faust)
Wagner ‘Dich, teure Halle’ (Tannhäuser)
Puccini Intermezzo (Manon Lescaut)
Puccini ‘In quelle trine morbide’ (Manon Lescaut)
Puccini ‘Tu, che di gel sei cinta’ (Turandot)
Catalani ‘Ebben? Ne andrò Iontana’ (La Wally)
An evening of Spanish zarzuela and tangos, exquisite operetta and emotion-filled opera arias with star soprano Celine Byrne whose voice has been described as ‘magnificent’ (Irish Independent) and ‘perhaps the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard’ (The Arts Desk).
Proinnsías Ó Duinn, now into his seventh decade conducting the National Symphony Orchestra, makes a welcome return to the podium.
Spain in all its sun-kissed, sultry splendour is celebrated in music by Pablo Luna, Carlos Gardel, Delibes and Granados. Lehár, Wagner, Catalani and Puccini delve deep into the tumultuous highs and lows of the heart. With its dazzling display of coloratura brilliance, Gounod’s sparkling ‘Jewel Song’ from Faust promises to be an unmissable highlight.
Tickets: €20, €29.50, €37.50, €45.
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Limited concessions available
National Symphony Orchestra Lunchtime Concert
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KELLI-ANN MASTERSON
TUESDAY 11 JULY, 1.05pm
David Brophy, conductor
John Finucane, clarinet • Kelli-Ann Masterson, soprano
Presented by Liz Nolan, RTÉ lyric fm
Dvořák Song to the Moon (Rusalka)
Dvořák The Devil and Kate Overture
Puccini ‘Quando m’en Vo’ (Musetta’s Waltz) from La bohème
Janáček Moravian Dances
Lehár ‘Vilja’ from The Merry Widow
J Strauss II ‘Mein Herr Marquis’ (Laughing Song) from Die Fledermaus
Smetana ‘Vltava’ from Má vlast
A lunchtime excursion into the sylvan, picture-postcard romance of Bohemia with essential stops en route for some mischievous flirting in Venice and pulse-quickening seduction in Paris.
With a ‘captivating soprano, characterised by its crisp, pure tone’ (Opera Wire), Kelli-Ann Masterson will shine in the seductive ‘Quando m’en Vo’ (Musetta’s Waltz) from Puccini’s heart-rending tale of young love, La bohème, and in the yearning, fragile beauty of Dvořák’s Song to the Moon, the exquisite ‘Vilja’ and the infectious brilliance of Die Fledermaus’s Laughing Song.
Away from affairs of the heart, love of landscape and homeland lights up Janáček’s colourful, animated Moravian Dances and Smetana’s liquid ‘Vlatava’, hymning the mighty River Moldau, while the Overture to Dvořák’s The Devil and Kate takes a thrilling excursion into the bewitching realms of fairy tale and fantasy.
Broadcast on The Full Score with Liz Nolan on RTÉ lyric fm.
Tickets: €15
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National Symphony Orchestra Lunchtime Concert
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ALICE FARNHAM
TUESDAY 18 JULY, 1.05pm
Alice Farnham, conductor
Gary Beecher, piano
Presented by Liz Nolan, RTÉ lyric fm
Bernstein Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Copland Four Dances from Rodeo
A flying lunchtime visit to America takes in New York and the Wild West in three blazing, dance-led pieces by composers who gave the New World its own distinctive, melody-laced voice.
The thrill of the city that never sleeps is given an adrenalin, jazzaccented boost in Bernstein’s Three Dance Episodes, a vivacious portrait in miniature of 24 exhausting hours in the Big Apple.
Gershwin’s effervescent Rhapsody in Blue is a euphoric hymn to one of the world’s most exhilarating cities and to America the bold.
Borrowing from American folk tunes, Copland’s Four Dance Episodes deliver a virtuoso display of orchestral colour and exuberance, its ‘Hoe-Down’ finale an energetic rustic dance with a traditional Irish reel at its heart.
Alice Farnham – ‘One of Britain’s foremost conductors’ (The Guardian) – makes a welcome return to the National Concert Hall, where she was Artistic Director of the Female Conductor Programme from 2017–22.
Joining for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue is the ‘subtle, sophisticated… with a maturity of both technique and interpretative outlook’
(Belfast Telegraph) pianist Gary Beecher.
Broadcast on The Full Score with Liz Nolan on RTÉ lyric fm.
Tickets: €15
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SWINGIN’ ON BROADWAY
Brian Byrne, conductor and arranger
Anna-Jane Casey, vocalist
Lucia Evans, vocalist
William Byrne, vocalist
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LUCIA EVANS
FRIDAY 21 JULY, 7.30pm
Swingin’ on Broadway
Lerner & Loewe ‘Wouldn’t it be Loverly’ (My Fair Lady)
Lerner & Loewe ‘On the Street Where You Live’ (My Fair Lady)
Strouse/Charnin ‘Maybe’ (Annie)
Newley/Bricusse ‘Pure Imagination’ (Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
Bart ‘Where Is Love?’ (Oliver!)
Rodgers & Hammerstein ‘I Have Dreamed’ (The King and I)
George & Ira Gershwin ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ (Oh, Kay (1926))
George & Ira Gershwin ‘I Got Rhythm’ (Girl Crazy)
Arlen & Harburg ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ (The Wizard of Oz)
Bernstein/Sondheim ‘Somewhere’ (West Side Story)
Bernstein/Sondheim ‘Maria’ (West Side Story)
Kander & Ebb ‘Maybe This Time’ (Cabaret)
Styne/Merrill ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ (Funny Girl)
Porter ‘So in Love’ (Kiss Me, Kate)
Lin-Manuel Miranda ‘Alexander Hamilton’ (Hamilton)
Take a summer stroll along the Great White Way as we celebrate musical theatre in Swingin’ on Broadway, featuring classic songs arranged with brilliant Swing-era panache by Brian Byrne.
One of today’s most in-demand composers and arrangers, multiaward-winner and Golden Globe-nominated Brian Byrne leads the National Symphony Orchestra and three superb singers in a tunefilled collection of iconic musical theatre hits.
West End veteran Anna-Jane Casey, former RTÉ You’re a Star winner
Lucia Evans, and musical theatre veteran William Byrne share vocal duties on a programme spanning a century of Broadway hits from the Gershwin Brothers to Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Tickets: €15, €23.50, €31, €38.50.
Limited concessions available
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Lucia Evans
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA For more information on the National Symphony Orchestra please visit nch.ie Booking nch.ie • 01 417 0000 Follow us on @NSOrchestraIRL @nationalsymphonyorchestraIRL @nationalsymphonyorchestrairl @NationalSymphonyOrchestra
