An international conference entitled, 'Goethe: Musical Poet, Musical Catalyst' takes place in the music department of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth on 26 and 27 March 2004. Organised by post-doctoral fellow Dr Lorraine Byrne, it includes a special commission to Seóirse Bodley to write new settings of the ‘Mignon and the Harper’ poems from Goethe's novel, Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship Years. The premiere takes place on Friday 26 March at 8.00 pm and the composer will give a pre-concert talk. The song-cycle will be performed by soprano Kathleen Tynan, baritone Sam McElroy and pianist Dearbhla Collins.

Conference papers will be given by Irish academics including Prof. Gerard Gillen (NUI Maynooth), Prof. Jan Smaczny (Queen's University Belfast), Dr Barra Boydell (NUI Maynooth), Dr Gareth Cox (Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick) and Dr Byrne herself, as well as the poet Micheal O'Siadhail and a number of international Goethe authorities. The two-day programme also includes performances of works by Schubert, Mendelssohn and Schumann with performers Gerard Gillen, John Feeley, William Dowdall, William Butt, John Lynch and the North-South Performers, conductor Colman Pearce.

Further information: Dr Lorraine Byrne, Music Department, NUI Maynooth. Email lorrainebyrne@utvinternet.com