459K

For Immediate Release

The Contemporary Music Centre, in association with the Royal Irish Academy of Music, presents Musical Tales – a series of four concerts in Dublin City Libraries – featuring the Milesian Quartet, Imelda Drumm (mezzo-soprano) and introduced by Irish Composer Benjamin Dwyer

6 October 2011

In celebration of Dublin's UNESCO City of Literature status and to highlight the rich connections between Irish writers, past and present, and Irish composers, The Contemporary Music Centre in association with the Royal Irish Academy of Music, presents a series of four concerts in Dublin City libraries, 24 Oct – 2 Nov 2011, funded by the Dublin City Council Arts Office Arts Grants 2011 and supported by the Dublin City Council Library Development Office.

The concert programme, curated by Irish Composer Benjamin Dwyer will be performed by the RIAM Milesian Quartet: Colm Ó Braoin (violin), Denice Doyle (violin), Sebastian Adams (viola), David Doyle (cello) and renowned Irish mezzo-soprano Imelda Drumm. Benjamin Dwyer will introduce each concert and set the context for each piece of music performed. The concerts, which are all FREE admission, will take place in the Central Library, Ilac Centre, 24 Oct; Drumcondra Library, 25 Oct; Rathmines Library, 27 Oct; and Walkinstown Library, 2 Nov 2011.

The concert programme features works by Irish composers: Rachel Holstead, Michael Holohan, Kevin O'Connell; Frank Corcoran; John Buckley and Siobhan Cleary. These composers have found inspiration in Old Irish and the Irish writers Seamus Heaney, Paul Durcan and Oscar Wilde. Musical Tales invites the listener to take a musical journey inspired by the words of Irish writers and poets, with music that gives a fresh perspective on Irish literature old and new.

The Milesian Quartet is an exciting new ensemble of young players studying together at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. As members of the Academy orchestras the players have toured in America, Japan, China, and Korea performing in such venues as the Seoul Arts Centre and Carnegie Hall. The Quartet is particularly interested in new and contemporary music, and works with the composers based in the Royal Irish Academy of Music exploring exciting possibilities in music performance.

Imelda Drumm has developed particularly strong relationships with Glyndebourne Opera and Welsh National Opera. She was principal Mezzo at Welsh for the last decade performing over 12 leading roles. She performed Carmen, one of her signature roles, to great acclaim at the Royal Albwww.riam.ieert Hall in London with Raymond Gubbay in 2002 and 2005. International awards include the Esso and Richard Lewis/Jean Shanks Glyndebourne Operatic awards. Combining a busy schedule with her own teaching and doctoral studies, Imelda made her debut in the Role of Azucena for Lyric Opera Ireland at the National Concert Hall this October. Having spent most of her career to date singing nineteenth-century repertoire, Imelda is delighted to be participating in this contemporary music and literary project.

As one of the leading figures from the younger generation of Irish composers, a virtuoso guitarist and an innovative musicologist and curator, Benjamin Dwyer, PhD graduate of Queen's University, is one of the most multifaceted artists working today. Dwyer is an elected a member of Aosdána. In 2009, the Royal Academy of Music (London) awarded Dwyer with the Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM), an honor bestowed upon those former students deemed 'to have made a significant contribution to the music profession'. Dwyer is on the faculty of the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive and resource centre for new music. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. The Centre is celebrating 25 years in 2011 and this project is one of a number of special anniversary projects taking place across the year.
www.cmc.ie

The Royal Irish Academy of Music is a home of musical excellence and dynamism, a place of teaching and learning which consistently achieves its objective of transmitting and maintaining the highest standards of performance and appreciation in all musical disciplines. Founded in 1848 the Academy is Ireland's oldest musical institution.
www.riam.ie

For further information on Musical Tales contact Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8. T | 01 673 1922.
E | khennessy@cmc.ie W | www.cmc.ie

Notes for Editors

Programme

Rachel Holstead | The Given Note 4'    inspiration Seamus Heaney
Michael Holohan | Portrait of the Artist (2001 rev. 2004) 4'    inspiration Paul Durcan
Kevin O'Connell | Where should this music be?' (2008) 7'    inspiration Seamus Heaney
Frank Corcoran | Buile Suibhne (extract) (1996) 16'    Seamus Heaney (as translator)
John Buckley | I Am Wind On Sea (1987) 9'    Old Irish (trans. Buckley)
Siobhan Cleary | The Dole of the King's Daughter (2005) 7'    inspiration Oscar Wilde

Venues

All concerts are FREE admission but booking is essential.
Please contact the relevant library to book.

1pm – 2pm, Monday 24 October
Central Library - Music Library
ILAC Centre, Henry Street, Dublin 1
T | 01 873 4333 E | musiclibrary@dublincity.ie

630pm – 730pm, Tuesday 25 October
Drumcondra Library
Millmount Avenue, Dublin 9
T | 01 837 7206 E | drumcondralibrary@dublincity.ie

1pm – 2pm, Thursday 27 October
Rathmines Library
157 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6
T | 01 497 3539 E | rathmineslibrary@dublincity.ie

7pm – 8pm, Wednesday 2 November
Walkinstown Library
Percy French Road, Dublin 12
T | 01 4558159 E | walkinstownlibrary@dublincity.ie