This article is from page 21 of the 2006-11-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 21 JPG
AS PART of the celebrations to mark the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, the North Clare-based Lismorahaun singers will create their own piece of musical history this month when they release the first ever live recording of Mozart’s Requiem by an Irish choir and orchestra.
Founded in 1999 by musical director Archie Simpson in the village of Fanore, the profile of the Lismorahaun Singers rose to national prominence with their 2005 RDS Concert Hall performance of Requiem which forms the basis for this live recording.
A key to the Lismorahaun Singers’ distinctive sound is the inter-generational aspect of the choir: the youngest member of the choir being aged seven and the senior members nearly seventy. The celebrated quality of the Lismorahaun Singers’ singularly open sound produces an emotive, even passionate interpretation that distinguishes it from many international recordings.
The recording features in the solo roles three of Ireland’s up-and coming young vocalists: Naomi O’Connell (soprano and overall winner of the Feis Ceoil 2006); Peter O’Donohue, (tenor, winner of the main Tenor Cup 2006), and Kate Daly (alto).
Remarkably, each of the singers were under 20 at the time of the recording. By contrast, the gravitas and solemnity of the veteran bass Micheál Mulqueeney provides a rich foundation to the ensemble. The resulting blend of youth and experience is nothing less than magical.
The story of how this diverse, nonaudition choir came to perform this masterwork, and the impact that this production has had on a rural community won the hearts of many across the country in the popular documentary ‘Sing and You Win’ [Wildfire 2005]. This was broadcast as part of the RTE Townland’s series and was a finalist for the national Irish Radharc Award for Documentary Film.
The CD is beautifully illustrated with stark photography of the Burren landscape by American photographer, W.P. Thayer. His evocative, black-and-white photographs provide a meditative backdrop to this deeply spiritual work.
The CD will be launched in Glór, Ennis, on Thursday, November 30, at 7.30pm, when selections from the Requiem will be performed. Author and poet, John O’Donohue, will be the host for the evening, which is being held in conjunction with Glór’s fifth-year anniversary celebrations. All are welcome to this free event.