University of Limerick will host a gala concert on Tuesday 22 November to mark the retirement of Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, UL’s inaugural Chair of Music.

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy, will perform with Ó Súilleabháin and a range of musical guests at University Concert Hall, Limerick. Featured works include Templum for soprano saxophone, strings, and horns; An Buachaill Caol Dubh for uilleann pipes and orchestra; Flowan for piano and orchestra; Christmas Eve, and more.

Commenting on the collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Ó Súilleabháin said,

Doing so affords me the opportunity of visiting and revisiting parts of my compositional life, to provide a special evening of my music. I have spent several months preparing exclusively for this concert, retouching old scores, writing new ones.

Joining the composer are Mel Mercier (bodhrán), Ken Edge (soprano sax), Niall Keegan (flute), Pádraic Keane (uilleann pipes), Ras Michael Courtney (dance), students from UCC and UL, Eoin and Moley Ó Súilleabháin, and Kathleen Turner with the Academy Gospel Choir. The composed added: 

I  am especially happy that my two sons Eoin and Moley are flying back from the USA to join me for some final songs they have written themselves which  I have specially orchestrated for the occasion. Kathleen Turner and the Irish World Academy Choir will add a special touch to the concert.

Ó Súilleabháin was appointed the first ever Chair of Music at the University of Limerick in 1994 where he founded the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. Commenting on Ó Súilleabháin’s retirement, Professor Don Barry, president of UL, said,

Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin has been a dynamic, creative force at UL since 1994 when he established the Irish World Academy to pioneer new research, teaching and performance programmes in music and dance. His unique cultural vision has drawn talented students and staff from all over the world and I look forward to the concert which will celebrate Mícheál’s remarkable contribution to Irish cultural life.

Tickets for the concert are €20 and are available from www.uch.ie or by phone on 061-331549.

For more, visit https://goo.gl/9MV3sq