The National Symphony Orchestra present a Gala Concert for Ukraine with soprano Celine Byrne, hosted by Paul Herriott from RTÉ lyric fm and presented live the the National Concert Hall, Dublin - watch above from 7.30 pm on Friday June 10th, and download your digital programme here.
Fresh from her success as Micaëla in Irish National Opera's Carmen, Celine Byrne’s star shines just as brightly on the concert platform.
Expect an evening of thrilling emotional highs and lows as we run the gamut from pain to pleasure and despair to ecstasy with some of opera’s most ravishing arias.
Celebrating 60 years almost to the day since his debut on the podium with the National Symphony Orchestra, conductor Proinnsías Ó Duinn brings a lifetime’s experience to a memorable gala evening including memorable orchestral moments from the operatic stage.
Vocal gems include Dvořák’s ethereally beautiful Song to the Moon, the glistening Jewel Song from Gounod’s Faust, Leoncavallo’s imploring Qual fiamma avea nel guardo! (Pagliacci), and Puccini’s aching leave-taking of a father’s love, O mio babbino caro (Gianni Schicchi), and haunting In quelle trine morbide (Manon Lescaut). There is drama aplenty in the harrowing Suicidio! from Ponchielli’s La Gioconda and the ardent, touching sincerity of Io son l’umile ancella from Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur. And to finish, one of the glories of operetta, the stand-out aria from Lehár’s Giuditta, the sultry and seductive showpiece Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiss (My lips, they kiss so hot).
As we watch the tragic events unfold in Ukraine, we are appalled by the human suffering being endured by those affected by this conflict.
To support the humanitarian effort underway, all ticket sales from this concert will be donated to the Ireland for Ukraine Fund in collaboration with the Community Foundation for Ireland.
