The Mayo International Choral Festival have announced that the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins and Mrs Sabina Higgins will attend as guests of honour at the Concert For Peace in Knock Basilica on Saturday May 14 which will commemorate the 1916 Rising and World War I. The unprecedented scale of such a concert in this venue will see close to 200 artists perform on the night, all presented by lauded broadcaster, RTÉ Lyric FM’s Liz Nolan. Conductor extraordinaire David Brophy of RTÉ’s award winning High Hopes Choir and instrumental fame brings his impressive experience to proceedings, conducting this special event.
Highlights include Sibéal Ní Chasaide performing the hauntingly beautiful 'Mise Eire', giving audiences another opportunity to witness this much-heralded centenary performance. The esteemed RTÉ Concert Orchestra will perform an 'Elegy Suite for 1916' by internationally distinguished composer Patrick Cassidy. Mayo born mezzo soprano Anne Marie Gibbons and tenor Owen Gilhooly from Limerick will also perform Cassidy's well-known aria 'Vida Cor Meum', joined by the 120-strong Peace Choir. This consists of members of the Ballina Chamber Choir, Cór Mhaigh Eo, and Dún Laoghaire Choral Society.
Excerpts from Jenkins’ choral sensation, The Armed Man will feature. 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. For more information and tickets, visit www.mayochoral.com
