It's week two of the annual concert series in Duiske Abbey, Graignamanagh.
Following the success of the opening concert, which featured the sublime singing of Mairead Buicke, accompanied by Anthony Byrne on piano, it's the turn of The Mater Dei Chorale on Wednesday September 19th.
The Mater Dei Chorale, the college choir of Mater Dei Institute, Dublin, celebrates its twentieth birthday this year. The choir was founded in 1988 and is open to the college community: students, staff, graduates and friends.
Over 100 singers and musicians will take the stage for what promises to be a spectacular interpretation of this famous work.
Earlier this year, in March 2008, the Chorale performed Charles Gounod's Messe Solennelle, in honour of St Cecilia. It was this performance which led to the invitiation to sing this work again in the glorious setting of Duiske Abbey.
The rich lyricism of the St Cecilia Mass with its heart-easing melodies, evocative harmonies, soloists, chorus and romantic orchestral sound, would not be out of place in the opera house.
The appeal of this Mass setting was immediate to church congregations and clergy alike at its first performance in 1855. Its popularity remained until Tridentine reforms confined it to relative obscurity, and more likely to be heard, as it is in our own time, in concert hall rather than cathedral.
Duiske Abbey should provide the perfect setting for this magnificent work. The concert starts at 8pm and tickets will be available on the door or from 059 9725893.
