Successful Culture Night premiere of new work by DkIT Composer
Amongst the wonderful programme of events for Culture Night in Louth this year was the premiere of a new work for symphony orchestra by DkIT lecturer Dr Daithí Kearney, Director of the Creative Arts Research Centre.
Celebrating the talent of the county, for the event, Louth Chamber Orchestra were joined by members of the multi-award winning Ardee Concert Band and special guests in the wonderful surroundings of St Nicholas’ The Green Church. The concert drew on themes of European music and was part of 'Legendary Together', Louth's EU Culture programme funded by Culture Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and supported by Louth County Council.
Through the evening, the music was interspersed with Kearney’s poetry, with each of the poems reflecting a theme of travelling, which was also central to the music.
The musical programme began with the Louth Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Francesca de Nardi, a tutor in the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music at DkIT, and Davide Forti. The duo also performed a special duet, anticipating the launch of their new album Opera Reimagined, which will be launched at DkIT on 1 October.
The programme also featured a suite of music from the 2024 production Brigid, Lady of Light, commissioned by Louth County Council and co-composed by Kearney and Dr Adèle Commins, Head of Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music at DkIT.
The evening culminated in the premiere of ‘Bíonn Siúlach Scéalach’, which drew on folkloric influences, European national anthems, and Irish dance rhythms, in a celebration of Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union. The 40-piece orchestra comprised of local musicians, including harpist Chu Chang from Blackrock. The standing ovation and encore were a tribute to the local talent and the efforts of the teachers who nurture young musicians on their journeys.
