Top international pianist at the Linenhall
Recognised as one of the outstanding pianists of his generation, Antti Siirala appears at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Monday December 1 at 8pm as part of a Music Network tour.
Helsinki-born Antti Siirala made his debut with an orchestra at the age of seven, and by 24 the multi-award winning pianist had won the prestigious Leeds International and AXA Dublin International Piano Competitions. Praised by critics for his breathtaking technique, instinctive musicality and “wonderfully sustained intensity”, Siirala has performed solo recitals at most of Europe’s finest concert halls with many top conductors. Best known for his interpretations of works by Beethoven and Brahms, his recording of works by Brahms received Gramophone Magazine’s Editor’s Choice award in 2003. Concert programme: Bach’s Partita No.1 in B flat major BWV 825; Brahms’ Rhapsody in B minor Op. 79/1; Brahms’ Variations on an Original Theme in D major Op. 21/1; Deirdre McKay’s Time, Shining; Chopin’s Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op. 58. Antti Siirala performs at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Monday December 1 at 8pm. Booking advised. Tel: 094 902 3733
Thomas Moore commemorative concert
In celebration of 200 years of Thomas Moore's world-famous “Irish Melodies”, a scintillating concert entitled My Gentle Harp: Moore’s Irish Melodies 1808-2008 takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday December 11 at 8pm. For this very special evening, one of Ireland’s leading pianists Dr Úna Hunt, together with young sopranos Roisin Walsh, Anna-Louise Costello and Katy Kelly, present a programme of Moore’s songs including such much-loved classic songs as “The Last Rose of Summer”, “The Minstrel Boy” and “The Meeting of the Waters”. The concert is presented by the Thomas Moore Commemorative Festival, and is supported by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Arts Council, the Office of Public Works, the National Library of Ireland and DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. My Gentle Harp: Moore’s Irish Melodies 1808-2008 takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday December 11 at 8pm. Booking advised. Tel: 094 902 3733.
Antigone- Drámaíocht as Gaeilge
Splódar Productions presents an Irish-language version of the Classical Greek drama Antigone at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Thursday December 4 at 8pm. Seo scéal an chailín a thug dúshlán an stáit agus a chuir fáilte roimh an mbás mar nár fhéad sí glacadh leis an measarthacht nó leis an modhúlacht. Tá an bhua is an díomua, an chaimiléireacht is an chneastacht, an grá is an ghráin fite fuaite ina chéile sa scoth-shaothar seo. Ceann de mhór-dhrámaí ár linne, aistrithe go Gaeilge don chéad uair agus arna léiriú ag an gcompántas nua-bhunaithe Splódar. Stiúrthóir/Aistritheoir: Proinn Ó Duigneáin. Urraithe ag Foras na Gaeilge.
Jean Anouilh’s Antigone is based on the enduring Greek classic of Sophocles, a tale of individual versus state and duty versus conscience. Splódar Productions (formerly The Glens Players ) present a play not only of deep passion and emotion but also of ideas and deep insights into the human condition. Directed by Prin Duignan. Splódar’s Irish-language version of Antigone takes place at the Linenhall Arts Centre on Thursday December 4 at 8pm. Booking advised. Tel: 094 902 3733.
New exhibition opening at the Linenhall
Opening on Friday December 5 at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar is Crickets Sing With Their Legs, an exhibition of recent paintings by Tuam-born Almha Roche and Newport-based Lucy Hill, two artists “with contrasting styles but similar objectives.” The title comes from a poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Almha and Lucy explain: “Having each created a body of work it seems odd to formulate an explanation for something that can't be captured in words, as with the cricket attempting to explain its 'song' through another language. Images are made, music is composed, as the result of a natural need to absorb and reflect the world around us. For this exhibition we have each made our own particular 'song' and presented it in unison to see what new sounds it can make.” The exhibition runs until Saturday January 31. Crickets Sing With Their Legs will be officially opened by Yew Tee Theatre director John Breen on Friday December 5 at 7.30pm, when there will be a chance to preview the work, meet the artists, and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine. All welcome.
New exhibition at the Linenhall
To mark the 2008 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence Against Women, Mayo Women's Support Services has organised In Her Shoes, an exhibition of women's shoes, each pair representing a woman who has been killed in Ireland. Since 1996 146 women have been murdered in Ireland by their partners/ex-partners (figures compiled by Women's Aid Homicide Watch ). Each pair of shoes will have the name of the woman and the year of her murder. The exhibition will also display posters and information regarding the 16 Days of Action. The exhibition runs until Wednesday December 10. Admission free, all welcome. The Linenhall Gallery and Foyer Exhibition Space is open to the general public Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm; Saturday from 11am to 5.30pm. Admission to exhibitions is free. Further details from the Linenhall. Tel: 094 902 3733 website: www.thelinenhall.com
