ROYAL CELLIST IN IRISH DEBUT FOR DROGHEDA SERIES
“SHEKU Kanneh-Mason’s youth, verve and diversity challenge classical stereotypes in one joyful swoop,”
Just one of the glowing reviews of cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, one of the brightest young stars on the classical music scene, who shot to fame after playing at the Royal Wedding last year.
And now, in an incredible coup for Drogheda, local audiences can see him on their own doorstep in his debut performance.
“I had been in talks with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, trying to plan an educational programme, and it was all going well until they said there may be a problem, as we have a big name cellist coming in October, and unfortunately, he’s only going to do two performances in Ireland - one in Limerick, where the Chamber Orchestra is based – and Dublin,” explains director of Drogheda Classical Music Series Pauline Ashwood. “And I said if you ask and he’s willing to do a third, we’d be delighted to have him, but I was told he was young artist and he can’t do a third, and it was then I had an inkling who is was, and was more determined than ever to have him come to Drogheda!”
Between the jigs and the reels, she called them and asked where they were playing in Dublin, and they said ‘ that’s the issue, we haven’t got anywhere yet’, and I said ‘why don’t you come to Drogheda instead of Dublin and I can guarantee you a full house , and a very appreciative audience, and they said OK!”
So, the first ever Irish performance from this rising star will be in Limerick, as a warm-up for his Drogheda appearance!
The career of superstar cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason has been on a roll since he won the BBC Young Musician of the Year in the UK in 2016, with his first full-length album ‘Inspiration’ released in early 2018. He will make his Irish debut touring with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, playing in Drogheda on October 24th. Tickets are already selling well for this, so get in quick if you want to see it.
Winner of the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition, he has been in huge demand with the world’s concert halls and orchestras. The phenomenal success of his first album propelled Sheku to the top of the album and classical charts while his performance at the British Royal Wedding in 2018, gave him overnight stardom.
Joining the Irish Chamber Orchestra and conductor Gábor Káli, the orchestra will perform Meltwater by Irish composer Deirdre McKay, Egmont Overture by Beethoven, Bizet’s melodic Symphony No. 1 in C major and be joined by Sheku for Saint-Saëns’ hit cello concerto, which is always a firm favourite with audiences.
Pre-concert talk 7pm, concert start 7.30pm - St Peter’s Church of Ireland, Drogheda, Co. Louth, Ireland. Tickets are €19 in advance - €17 concessions, €5 student/children.