A date to the proms
A popular orchestra festival has announced its return to Cork this summer celebrating a mix of contemporary and classical music.
Cork Opera House this week announced the return of The Cork Proms which will bring together some of Cork and Ireland’s finest musicians and performers. Classic Irish rock music, a selection of musical theatre greats, and a programme of classical music inspired by America will be realised by three separate shows: ‘Heyday’, ‘There’s No Place Like Home’, and ‘New World Symphony & Rhapsody in Blue’ respectively. Cork Opera House CEO and Artistic Director, Eibhlin Gleeson said: “The Cork Proms is a celebration of everything that is great about Cork – of living in a city that has such an incredible musical legacy and continues to be home to some of the world’s most exciting musicians. “It’s such an incredible privilege to be able to bring Proms to our community, a festival of music that is for everyone,” she added.
Celebrating all things brilliant about Irish Rock music, ‘Heyday’, which takes place on 12 and 13 June, will present new arrangements of beloved songs by artists and bands such as Sinead O'Connor, The Cranberries, The Pogues, and Thin Lizzy. Joining the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra conducted by John O'Brien will be soloists Jack O'Rourke, May Kay, and Lucia Evans with more to be announced.
‘New World Symphony and Rhapsody in Blue’, 15 and 16 June, will also feature the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra, performing Dvorák’s ‘New World Symphony’. The programme was curated by the renowned and award-winning Cork pianist, Gary Beecher, who will join the orchestra onstage to perform ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, following his debut performance of this piece with the National Symphony Orchestra in 2023. The programme will also feature music by composers Copland, Korngold, and Barber. This concert will be conducted by Elaine Kelly.
‘There's No Place Like Home - A Musical Theatre Revue’ will take place on 19 and 20 June celebrating the best the genre has to offer. From ‘Wicked’ to ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ to ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, this concert will feature all the hits from Broadway and the West End, with some surprises along the way.
Ms Gleeson continued: “We would encourage our audiences to try to come to all three of the Cork Proms; each will be different but individually curated to fit together.” This year’s Proms will be presented in association with Cork Midsummer Festival and has been designed by a team of curators, led by Cork Opera House CEO and Artistic Director, Eibhlín Gleeson, and directed by Davey Kelleher.