KERSTIN DOELLE NEXT UP FOR NORTH CORK CLASSICAL MUSIC

German soprano, Kerstin Doelle is keenly looking forward to returning to Ireland this month and especially to performing once again in Kilworth’s Village Arts Centre on Friday, July 25.

This will be the sixth in a seven part series of recitals hosted by North Cork Classical Music and follows on from the hugely successful concert held in St Colman’s Church, Farahy last Saturday evening.

Ms Doelle will be accompanied on piano by Kathrin Elisabeth Zobel. Kerstin Doelle was born in Berlin in 1965 and studied voice at the Academy of Music in Weimar and Dresden.

After graduation she was immediately engaged by Marianne Kupfer as a member of the Komische Opera Berlin, where she sang several parts and toured with them in Germany, Austria, Japan and Spain.

Since 2001 it has been concerts and opera galas all over the world with the Californian tenor, Mark Fox and Kerstin has performed at numerous international festivals. In May 2004 she was the German representative for classical musical the EU Welcome in Dublin.

Regarded as being the only one who can perform the whole Farinelli repertoire, she toured with chamber ensembles and chamber orchestras all over the world in 2005 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Farinelli’s birthday. For her North Cork Classical Music recital she will perform pieces from the great composers such as Handel, Mozart, Lizt, Tschaikowski, Brahms, Wagner and Puccini, including the wonderful ‘O Mio Babbino Carro’ from the latter.

Kathrin Zobel was born in 1967 in the university city of Greifswald close to the Baltic Sea. At age 14 she moved on to the Musikhochschule “Carl Maria von Weber” in the baroque city of Dresden. Under the tuition of Professor Gunter Anger she studied piano.

Professor Gertraud Geissler and Hans-Peter Richter instructed her in song accompaniment and trained her as an opera repetiteur. Five years ago, Kathrin began to work with soprano, Kerstin Doelle.

They delight their audience at home and internationally with pieces of the Italian Bel Canto/Verismo and music of German Romantic expression.

Tickets and enquiries from Jane on (022-26145), Liam on (025-24858), any Village Arts Centre outlet or on 087-6492514.

‘THE PLOUGHBOYS’ - FROM AUSTRALIA TO KILWORTH

Brother and sister, Damian and Marcia Howard continue to pay homage to the culture of their Irish ancestors and the culture of the Aboriginal people whose land they live on.

They come with their high energy band, The Ploughboys to Kilworth’s Village Arts Centre on Monday night next where they promise a memorable night of music and song.

Marcia has recently recorded one of her songs ‘Poison Tree’ with Mary Black on ‘A Woman’s Heart 3 - A Decade On’. She also features as a guest musician on Mary’s DVD ‘Live at the Olympia Theatre’.

Both Marcia and Damian are guest musicians on Mary’s latest release, ‘Full Tide’ and a co-written song of Damian’s, ‘St Kilda Again’ is also featured on this CD.

The band’s material is a blend of styles - rock, roots, acoustic, country, folk and soul-blues and as a show, involves all three acts on the same bill, similar to that which was performed with Mary Black at a venue in Melbourne, Australia called The Forum recently.

Booking at The Avondhu office, Fermoy (025-32227), Cotter’s Bar, Kilworth (27109), Hyland’s Bookshop, Mitchelstown (24528) and on 087-6492514.

AN EVENING OF FAVOURITE SUMMER CLASSICS IN BURNCOURT

South Tipperary Rural Arts Group presents an evening of your favourite summer classics with Iain King and friends on Monday, July 14th at 8pm in Burncourt church at 8pm.

This is a return visit to Burncourt from this classical quartet and their varied repertoire continues to enthral audiences, the quartet is composed of violinist Iain King who has played as first violinist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra.

In addition to his classical career, Iain has worked on hundreds of commerial recordings, including film and tv soundtracks, Iain now lives in Ballina with his family.

Yorkshire born, Gareth Hulse has played Oboe with the English National Opera company and the London Philharmonic and has worked with many of the worlds leading composers. He is also a member of London Winds which has visited Ireland many times.

Gareth’s wife Katie Clemmow has toured with the London Symphony and the Academy of St Martin’s throughout Europe, the far East and Japan. Katie who is also an Oboe player will accompany the group on piano. Cellist Robert Irvine is founder of the Chamber group of Scotland and has recorded several CDs.

According to the Sunday Times: “Few (cellists), if any of them, have a more attractively integrated sound than Robert Irvine.”

This is a wonderful opportunity to hears such a talented quartet in your locality. The recital will be preceded by a cheese and wine reception in Burncourt Community Hall starting at 7pm.

Tickets are €20 and are available from Rural Arts members, in Burncourt at Maureen Creed’s shop or by contacting (087) 6320899.

‘RITA DUNNE’ - A NEW PLAY BY PAT TALBOT

‘Rita Dunne’, a new play by celebrated Cork director, Patrick Talbot which has its premiere in Dublin this week comes to Cork’s Everyman Palace Theatre where it will run from July 22nd – Aug 2nd (preview July 21).

‘Rita Dunne’ is a fictitious account of how a political family deals with scandal. Though separated from Taoiseach Willie Dunne for many years, ex-wife Rita’s identity is still irritatingly defined by her relationship with him. When scandal threatens Ireland’s popular leader, Rita finds herself torn between family loyalty and personal freedom, as she and her daughter are plunged into the media spotlight.

‘Rita Dunne’ is written and directed by Patrick Talbot, with a cast made up of Deirdre Monaghan, Frank Melia and Vanessa Keogh. Booking on 021-4501673/www.everymanpalace.com.

TINARIWEN AT CORK OPERA HOUSE

Adding to the excitement of what promises to be an unforgettable gig at Cork Opera House on Monday, July 21 with Tinariwen, most seats will be removed from downstairs so fans can dance to Tinariwen’s unique sound.

Tinariwen are more than just musicians – they are icons of freedom and resistance among their people.

They have become one of the most successful and exciting musical exports ever to emerge from west Africa.

Not to be missed!