RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Celine Byrne soprano
Noah Stewart tenor
Vitali Alekseenok conductor

Presented by Liz Nolan, RTÉ lyric fm

Passionate, romantic, dramatic, atmospheric – Puccini’s music seems to speak directly to the listener like that of few other composers. In the 100 years since his death, it has featured in football stadiums, cartoons, ads and films, and people who have never stepped into an opera house could sing along to some of his beautiful soaring arias.

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra has invited two extraordinary singers Celine Byrne and Noah Stewart to mark the centenary with this evening of glorious music, conducted by Vitali Alekseenok and presented by Liz Nolan of RTÉ lyric fm. Featuring ravishing arias like Nessun dorma, ‘O mio babbino caro’, ‘Un bel dì’, ‘Vissi d’arte’, ‘Recordita armonia’ and more. Celine and Noah will join forces for the finale of Act I of La bohème, possibly the best-loved 15 minutes in opera, with his ‘Che gelida manina’, her ‘Mi chiamano Mimì’ and the duet ‘O soave fanciulla’. There will be orchestral favourites including the Intermezzo from Suor Angelica as well as a salute to Puccini’s mentor Ponchielli with music from La gioconda. A fitting centenary tribute to one of the greatest opera composers of them all.