Waterford Music

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Waterford Music launches its 75th season with ‘The Piper and the Faerie Queen’

In an unusual and probably first-of-its-kind tour, the Waterford uilleann piper David Power, one of Ireland’s finest traditional Irish musicians, joins forces with harpsichordist Malcolm Proud and the internationally renowned Baroque ensemble Camerata Kilkenny. They open the 75th Waterford–Music season of recitals on September 29 at The Georgian Large Room at City Hall.
The tour titled ‘The Piper and the Faerie Queen’ focuses on music by 17th and 18th century composers who were inspired by fantastical literary works. The English composer Henry Purcell, inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, composed the music for ‘The Fairy Queen’ which will be performed by Camerata Kilkenny on this tour.

Uilleann Piper David Power plays traditional airs with a matching theme including ‘An Droighneann Donn' ‘An Leanbh Sidhe’ The King of the Fairies and the Fairy Hills by O’Carolan. French bagpipes (musettes) were used to represent pastoral scenes in the opera and together piper and ensemble play music by Handel and Leclair.

Waterford Music Chairman, Jim Walsh speaking about the series said we are delighted to have this unique musical alliance to open our new season. Over the coming months, many of Ireland’s and Europe's finest musicians will again grace our elegant Large Room at City Hall and for the first time in our 75 year history, we will enjoy an evening in the magnificently restored 17th century splendour of St Patrick’s Church. This year we are moving to an earlier start time of 7.30pm. Despite losing our arts council funding, we have kept our standard door ticket price at €15 and a family subscription is terrific value at €150 for all eight events.

Also included in the season, French pianist Nathalia Milstein, the first lady to win the Dublin International Piano Competition, stops off on her first Irish tour in October. The Vanbrugh String Quartet return to City Hall on their final tour with Gregory Ellis as leader and it is back to Bach with Chamber Choir Ireland, Ireland’s premier professional vocal ensemble.

Strings hold sway over the second half of the season. Six of the best including rising Irish star Mairéad Hickey in a programme of string sextets. The Irish Chamber Orchestra will present an Easter offering. Strings won’t have it all their own way though and the star singer for the Elizabeth Downey memorial recital will be the Kerry baritone, Gavan Ring who is lighting up opera stages at home and abroad.

Admission: €15.00, Students €5.00 (Includes interval soft drink)

NB New Concert Start Time 7:30pm

Tickets available at the door. Unallocated Seating.

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