Lismore Music Festival
Press Release
May 2010
LISMORE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010, PRESENTS, CARMEN AT LISMORE CASTLE
A UNIQUE SUMMER MUSIC, OPERA FESTIVAL AT A SPECTACULAR OUTDOOR VENUE
LISTINGS INFORMATION
LISMORE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 PRESENTS
CARMEN AT UPPER STABLES OF LISMORE CASTLE, CO. WATERFORD
CASTLE GARDENS & CAVA BAR OPEN TO PATRONS AT 6.30PM
PERFORMANCES BEGIN AT 8.30PM EACH NIGHT
SATURDAY 5 & SUNDAY 6 JUNE 2010
TICKETS FROM €95 - €115 INCLUDING TAPAS, PAELLA, WINE AND OPERA
BOX OFFICE 058 52769
WEBSITE: WWW.LISMOREMUSICFESTIVAL .COM
DIRECTOR
LIGHTING
COSTUMES
PROPS
DIETER KAEGI
THOMAS MAERKER
PATSY GILES
CIARA GORMLEY
LISMORE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 PRESENTS
CONCERT RECITAL OF F RENCH MELODIES & A RIAS
AT ST. CARTHAGE’S CATHEDRAL, THE MALL, LISMORE , CO. WATERFORD
SUNDAY 6 JUNE 2010 (TIME TO BE CONFIRMED )
TICKETS €15
BOX OFFICE 058 52769
WEBSITE: WWW.LISMOREMUSICFESTIVAL .COM
Lismore Music Festival 2010 Carmen Cast:
Carmen:
Fiona Murphy
Don José:
Richard Crawley
Escamillo:
David Adam Moore
Micaëla:
Kim Sheehan
Zuniga:
Eric Martin-Bonnet
Morales:
Christopher Cull
Frasquita:
Sandra Oman
Mercedes:
Deidre Masterson
Remendado:
Laurence Thackery
Dancaïre:
Ben Russell
LMF Chamber Orchestra
Directed by Redmond O’Toole
Redmond O’Toole – 8 string guitar
Dermot Dunne – Accordion
Cora Venus Lunny – Violin
Noel Eccles – Percussion
Malachy Robinson – Double Bass
LISMORE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010, PRESENTS, CARMEN AT LISMORE CASTLE
A UNIQUE SUMMER MUSIC, OPERA FESTIVAL AT A SPECTACULAR OUTDOOR VENUE
The Lismore Music Festival (LMF) box office is now open to the public 058 52769 or
www.lismoremusicfestival.com. The 2010 innaugural programme of events take place over
the June bank holiday weekend in the historic and picturesque town of Lismore County
Waterford.
The festival which takes place over two days, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June will present a
new production of Bizet’s classic and much loved Carmen directed by Dieter Kaegi. The
orchestration has been commissioned by LMF and especially arranged by Redmond O’Toole
for 8 string guitar, accordion, double bass, violin and percussion. The programme for the
weekend also includes a concert recital of French Melodies and Arias in Lismore’s historic St.
Carthage’s Cathedral on Sunday 6th June following Sunday Services as well as the Lismore
Farmers Market on the castle avenue and the Opera Supper Club after each performance in
O’Brien’s Chop House in Lismore town.
LMF is an eclectic mix of musical genres with opera at its core and hopes to become an
annual event which will attract music lovers and visitors to the region. Situated in what is
often referred to as the Irish Riviera, Lismore Castle, the privately owned residence of the
Duke of Devonshire and his family will play host to two performances of Carmen in the
transformed upper stables on the grounds of the castle by kind permission of Lord and Lady
Burlington.
LMF have assembled a fantastic cast of Irish and International singers and musicians for this
unique Summer Musical event. The Carmen cast includes Mezzo Soprano Fiona Murphy as
Carmen, Richard Crawley sings the role of Don José in Lismore prior to covering the role at
the MET in Oct, David Adam Moore as Escamillo and Kim Sheehan as Micaëla. The LMF
Chamber Orchestra includes, Redmond O’Toole on 8 string guitar, Dermot Dunne,
accordion, Cora Venus Lunny, violin, Noel Eccles, percussion and Malachy Robinson on
Double Bass.
“The instrumental group is a typical Piazzolla Tango group which gives a new colour and
dynamic to Bizet's original score.
There are two main musical influences within this new arrangement, Flamenco and Spanish
folk elements within Bizet's score are brought to the foreground with use of guitar, gypsy
violin and rustic percussion, whilst on the other hand, the music of the 19th century Catalan
guitarist/composer Fernando Sor served as a model.” Redmond O’Toole
The musicians are all renowned soloists in the classical establishment, but they share an
interest in a wider musical world. Dermot Dunne (Accordian) and Malachy Robinson (Bass)
with their group 'Lunfardia' specialising in Argentinian music, Noel Eccles (Percussion)
through his work with Riverdance and Moving Hearts, Cora Venus Lunny (Violin) with her
gypsy and yiddish group 'Yurodney' among countless other collaborations and Redmond
O'Toole with 'The Chieftains'.
“We intend The Lismore Music Festival to be a gem of a Summer Festival on the Irish
calendar, presenting a mix of musical genres with opera at its core and providing a weekend
to indulge all the senses with music, food & wine, gardens, historic architecture and art.
Lismore and West Waterford is one of Ireland’s best kept secrets and we hope the festival
attracts visitors from neighbouring counties, all over Ireland and beyond and provides
economic stimulus to the town of Lismore, Blackwater, West Waterford and East Cork
region.
“We are very grateful to Lord and Lady Burlington for their generous support, allowing us to
use the grounds of what is in my opinion the prettiest castle in Ireland. The people of
Lismore and the surrounding area have embraced the idea of hosting an opera here. The
business, tourism and hospitality community have all contributed their time and enthusiasm.
The hospitality and tourism sector are enthusiastically supporting us by providing weekend
packages and pre opera menus as well as hosting events. The festival will also create
employment for musicians, singers and everyone involved in the production team as well as
providing business for all the festival suppliers such as marquees, printers, designers and
catering etc. “ said Jennifer O’Connell, LMF Manager.
Patrons are encouraged to arrive early, enjoy some Spanish tapas and paella with a glass of
wine in the romantic and magical surroundings of the castle gardens. The organisers have
also set up a Cava and Wine Bar within the castle walls for the weekend.
Be one of the first to experience this unique Summer event in one of the most beautiful
places in Ireland, tickets are selling fast and early booking of tickets and accommodation is
recommended.
Tickets & packages:
€95 Opera only
€115 Opera + tapas/paella + glass of wine
€125 Opera + tapas/paella + glass of wine + Cathedral Concert
€15 Cathedral Concert only
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A Cava & wine Bar will be open pre opera and during the 45 minute interval
Gardens and Castle gates open to LMF audience from 6.30pm. Enjoy the spectacular
grounds and gardens of one of Ireland's most beautiful castles in the beautiful
heritage town of Lismore, Co.Waterford.
Meet the cast in the Opera Supper Club, O'Briens, Main Street Lismore after the
performance
Dress code: Cocktail/Jacket. Please remember to bring something warm to wear
when the sun goes down.
The Lismore Music Festival has transformed the former castle stables into a beautiful setting
for its production of one of world's favourite operas. Every effort has been made to
weatherproof the venue for the performance including a roof, however, as we know the
weather in Ireland can be unpredictable and the evenings do get chilly. Please ensure you
bring appropriate clothes on the night.
Visitors/Patrons are not permitted to bring food and drink into the grounds of the castle.
There will be delicious catering and a bar available within the castle grounds for the festival
weekend.
For further information, photographs or to arrange interviews please contact:
Jennifer O’Connell, LMF Manager – 00 353 (0)87 972 1776 or jenniferjoconnell@gmail.com