Following her recent haunting and evocative performance during the Centenary concert at Easter, as part of the National 1916 celebrations, the organisers of the Concert For Peace at Knock Basilica were delighted when it was announced just after the concert that Sibeal Ni Chasaide is to be added to the stellar line up of performers on May 14.
Sibeal will perform, live with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Mise Eire, a new arrangement of Patrick Pearse's 1912 poem set to music, which was composed by her uncle - respected composer Patrick Cassidy. ?Hailing from the Gaeltacht in Rath Chairn in Meath, Sibeal, at only 17 years of age, has been since stealing the hearts of the nation with Mise Eire released on the 1916: The Irish Rebellion soundtrack, and with her countless interviews on Radio and a recent performance on The Late Late Show. Presented by The Mayo International Choral Festival this inaugural concert at the newly refurbished Knock Basilica will commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising and World War One.
The concert will feature an Elegy Suite for 1916 composed by Patrick Cassidy, and performed by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy. Patrick, who will attend on the night, expressed his delight in returning to Mayo and in particular to having his music performed in Knock Basilica with which he has strong connections. The European premiere of his renowned Famine Remembrance Concert was performed in 2012 at St Colman’s Church, Claremorris to a packed audience.
Now residing in Los Angels, in addition to his concert work and compositions, he scores and collaborates on film and documentary projects which include Hannibal, King Arthur, Che Guevara, The Irishman and Calvary. Patrick has composed the score for the recently premiered 1916 The Irish Rebellion.? The concert will also include excerpts from Sir Karl Jenkins’ choral sensation, The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. This is a powerful and compelling phenomenon in contemporary music, which brings the audience on an inspirational journey from the disharmony of conflict to a final message of hope and peace. ?Soloists include Mayo born and based Mezzo Soprano Anne Marie Gibbons and Limerick born Tenor Owen Gilhooly. ?
The concert will also feature a 120-strong Peace Choir, with members of Ballina Chamber Choir, Cor Mhaigh Eo and the Dun Laoghaire Choral Society. ?The concert will be presented by Liz Nolan of RTÉ lyric fm and is produced in association with The Western Development Commission and The Mayo Clinic.?
The concert will be presented by Liz Nolan of RTÉ lyric fm, and is produced in association with The Western Development Commission and The Mayo Clinic. The Concert For Peace takes place on Saturday May 14 at 8pm in Knock Basilica. Tickets (all reserved seating ) cost €25 and €15. Tickets in-person can be bought from Downtown Records Castlebar and Westport, the Knock Basilica Bookshop and the Gift Centre, Tone St, Ballina.
