Valentine’s Day treat lined up for fans of opera

ABSOLUTELY the last few performances of Jack And The Beanstalk at the Opera House, which ends Sunday. Costumes will be packed away, scenery stored, and that’s it.

Oh no it isn’t - we hear rumours that they are already starting to plan for next winter’s pantomime!

In the meantime, comedian Adam Rowe is here next Wednesday, January 24, with Tony Christie on Thursday, Mary Black on Friday (sold out), and the ever-popular Reeling In The Showband Years on Saturday and Sunday.

Advance notice of a special Valentine’s Night presentation at the good old Opera House, as tickets are likely to be in high demand.

Bizet’s classic, La tragédie de Carmen, will be performed on February 14, featuring Cork mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan, Clare tenor Dean Power, Dublin bass-baritone Rory Dunne, and Wexford soprano Kelli-Ann Masterson.

This abridged and semi-staged production (directed by John O’Brien) is part of the theatre’s winter season and all four stars are members of the Cara O’Sullivan Associated Artists programme.

Look out too for Irish National Opera’s La Traviata, here May 29 and 31.

Call 021 427 0022 or www.corkoperahouse.ie for all bookings.

Good music is coming to Everyman too in February, with a new concert series collectively entitled Music Of… led by John O’Brien and featuring the recently formed Ora Quartet (Siún Milne and Molly O’Shea, violins; Ali Comerford, viola; and Yseult Cooper Stockdale, cello.

Sunday, February 4 kicks the series off with star mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan in Music of… Sadness and Comfort. Music of… Love and Heartache is next on Sunday, March 10, when West End musical sensation Molly Lynch will appear alongside the extraordinary harpist Anne-Marie Papin Labazordiere.

The soulful Karen Underwood, backed by virtuosic drummer Davie Ryan, will present more intriguing musical combinations in the series’ grand finale, Music of… Faith and Doubt on Sunday, April 28. An extraordinary musical adventure, and ticket bundles are available to ensure you don’t miss a note!.

In between, don’t forget Friday of next week, January 26, when Coughlans Live Promotions and The Comedy Cavern present Leeside Laughs: A Night at The Everyman. Alison Spittle, Kiri Pritchard McClean, Mike Rice, Shane Clifford, Martin Angolo, Tadhg Hickey and Laura O’Mahony will provide a side-splitting night of comedy.

And Cornelius Patrick O’Sullivan is here on January 27 with A Bird in the Hand, his new stand-up-comedy show. Call 021 450 1573 or see www.everymancork.com for all bookings.

The Solas Quartet are at the Triskel at lunchtime this Saturday, playing Borodin’s D major quartet (famous for its Nocturne featured in the 1953 musical Kismet) as well as Matthew Locke’s 1674 music for The Tempest, a traditional wedding march, and a new piece by Katherine Hunka. The Quartet comprises Katherine Hunka, violin; Marja Gaynor, violin; Cian Ó Dúill, viola; and Aoife Nic Athlaoich, cello. 1pm start. What a lovely way to spend lunchtime!

Naomi Berrill will also be at the Triskel, this time on February 2, at 8pm, as part of her Inish album tour. Based in Florence, this cellist, multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer takes an experimental approach to cello technique, and continues to break boundaries between musical genres.

She will be appearing with Lorenzo Pellegrini (guitar, synth, vocals) and Andrea Beninati (cello, drums, synth).

Call 021 427 2022 or see triskelartscentre.ie for all bookings.

A bundle of good shows is coming up at INEC in Killarney for anyone heading that way: The Three Amigos tonight, Cliona Hagan tomorrow, Take It To The Limit on Saturday, and The Joe Dolan Show on Sunday. All bookings 064 667 1555 or www.inec.ie