Array of spring concerts to take place in Limerick

A SERIES of concerts will kick off the spring season at University Concert Hall (UCH) in Limerick.

Four springtime Sunday concerts will fill the Mid-West venue with the sounds of opera arias and the works of some of the world’s greatest composers.

The Limerick Classical Concert Series will commence on Sunday, March 3 with an afternoon concert of operatic delights in association with The Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition. Accompanied by Dearbhla Collins and Mairead Hurley and presented by Lyric FM’s Liz Nolan, the varied programme brings together Limerick singers, Mairead Buicke (soprano) and Owen Gilhooly-Miles (baritone), alongside 2022 VDISC winners, Aebh Kelly (mezzo-soprano) and Aaron Godfrey – Mayes (tenor).

The Mid-West’s premier live entertainment and cultural venue will then welcome acclaimed string quintet The Vanbrugh & Friends on Sunday, April 21. Keith Pascoe and Marja Gaynor (violin), Simon Aspell and Ed Creedon (viola) and Christopher Marwood (cello) will perform the works of Boccherini (String Quintet in E major G.402), Beethoven (String Quintet in C minor Op.104) and Dvorak (String Quintet in E flat major Op.97).

This Spring Concert Series will be complemented by a special, family-fun performance on Sunday, April 7 with Soo-Jung Ann and Fiachra Garvey on two pianos alongside members of the Irish Chamber Orchestra and UCH Panto star Richie Hayes narrating.

UCH director, Sinead Hope, said: “We are really excited to present this series of Spring and Sunday afternoon concerts, and we look forward to welcoming people from across the Mid-West and beyond in the coming weeks. The Irish classical music scene is thriving, and we are proud to provide a platform for new and established musicians and singers and to continue to promote University Concert Hall’s longstanding artistic ethos.”

This year marks the 30th anniversary year of UCH which became the first purpose-built concert hall in Ireland when it was opened on the University of Limerick campus.

The 1,038-seat auditorium has since attracted performances from some of the biggest names in entertainment including Johnny Cash and June Carter, James Taylor, Billy Connolly, Leslie Garrett, Van Morrison, The King's Singers, Jimmy Carr, Sir James Galway, Christy Moore and the late Sinead O’Connor.