The Goo 1
Cliodhna Ryan FEB '25 CLASSICAL February in Dubli
n promises a bit of everything for music lovers. There’s a fantastic range of performances to dive into, from intimate chamber music to vast Mahler orchestrations, and innovative sound explorations to sparkling operatic adventures. For those keen to experience something entirely outside the box, the Reception Weekend festival (14–15 February) at the Project Arts Centre is unmissable. Reception, known for its focus on experimental music and boundary-pushing performances, will celebrate its ninth anniversary with a stunning lineup. From Eliane Radigue’s minimalist works to RP Boo’s revolutionary footwork and the avant-garde compositions of Ryoko Akama and Clara de Asis, this is a weekend that blurs the lines between composition, improvisation, and performance art. Check out the Project Arts Centre website for specific details. On 16 February, the Navarra Quartet will be joined by Martin Moriarty (viola) and Aoife Burke (cello) at the National Concert Hall for a programme that explores the three cities of Paris, Cork and Florence through music these cities inspired. The concert begins with Strauss’s Sextet from Capriccio Op. 85. It is the opening work from the Strass opera of the same name, set in a Parisian château in the 18th Century. Next, the quartet performs a world premiere of R.A. Mould’s The Voice of the Lee, which draws inspiration from the River Lee in Cork. The concert concludes with Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence. The composer spent the winter of 1890 in the warm climes of Italy, far from the harsh Russian snow and ice. “I am under a clear blue sky,” he wrote, “where the sun is shining in all its magnificence.” While in Florence, he sketched out a simple duet for violin and cello, which gave birth to Souvenir de Florence. The concert begins at 3 pm and is in the Kevin Barry Room. We’re staying at the NCH for our next concert. On February 21st, the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jessica Cottis will perform Ailís Ní Ríain’s The Land Grows Weary of Its Own. Ní Ríain’s commission reflects on the effects of climate change, with her evocative work imagining a world weary of its destruction. It is a thought-provoking companion to Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde, with soloists mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill and tenor Samuel Sakker. Written by the composer as he grapples with his mortality, this song cycle is a meditation on life and death, exploring themes of beauty and the inevitable passage of time. The concert starts at 7.30 pm. For those who enjoy the uplifting and meditative power of choral music, Chamber Choir Ireland offers a stunning programme titled The Green Road at 6.30pm on February 22nd at the Pepper Canister Church. Directed by Eamonn Dougan, the choir will perform pieces celebrating the beauty of nature, including Cecilia McDowall’s The Skies in Their Magnificence and Kenneth Leighton’s God’s Grandeur, alongside the world premiere of Eoghan Desmond’s Guthanna ar an gCnoc, an Irish-language work about returning to harmony with nature. It’s a programme that explores our deep connection to the earth and offers solace in times of environmental distress. The Irish National Opera’s new production of Die Fledermaus is a highlight of the month. The famous operetta by Johann Strauss is one of the most beloved works in the operatic repertoire, with its sparkling melodies, comical misunderstandings, and infectious Viennese charm. This production showcases Irish operatic talent, with sopranos Jade Phoenix and Sarah Shine as Rosalinde and her maid Adele, mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty as Prince Orlofsky, and baritone Ben McAteer as Dr. Falke. You can catch it at the Pavillion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire on Sat 22 February at 7.30 pm and Sunday 23 at 5 pm. Finally, Alice Sara Ott’s recital on 27 February at the National Concert Hall is a must-see. Ott, known for her electrifying performances, will play three of Beethoven’s most beloved piano sonatas: No. 19, No. 30, and the iconic Moonlight Sonata. Ott brings her trademark sensitivity and virtuosity to these landmark works, which will be interspersed with John Field’s delicate Nocturnes. The performance is at 8 pm. This month in Dublin has so much to offer for music lovers, so enjoy! 39