Play It Today Announces MBNA Limerick International Music Festival

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, June 24, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Play It Today announces that MBNA Europe and the Irish Chamber Orchestra are combining forces, once again, to stage the MBNA Limerick International Music Festival, in July 2009.

Previously known as the MBNA Shannon International Music Festival, this year's event is "the most diverse and accessible yet," according to ICO Artistic Director, Anthony Marwood.

Promoting young talent

Play It Today highlights the commitment that MBNA and the ICO have to fostering emerging musical talent. This year's festival showcases several young virtuosos, including 25-year-old Soumi Datta, on the Indian sarod, and 19-year-old Jennifer Pike, the youngest ever winner of the BBC's Young Musician of the Year, on the violin.

MBNA's policy of promoting young talent extends to the closing concert, when several young players perform alongside established ICO members.

MBNA Limerick International Festival Venues

Play It Today confirms that the centrally located Franciscan Church, on Henry Street, is hosting the Festival's main events. The Church has recently undergone regenerative acoustic treatment. Other events take place at venues throughout the city.

The Strand Hotel, just across the Sarsfield Bridge from the Church, plays host to Festival Club for the first time. The Club offers a light entertainment programme following 7.30pm and 10.15pm concerts. Entry to the Club is free and open to all ages.

Festival highlights

Play It Today reveals that the ICO will perform three baroque-themed concerts at The Franciscan Church: Giants of Baroque, on 8 July; Storms in the Night, on 10 July; and Haydn's Final Masterpiece, on 12 July. Jennifer Pike performs on 9 July, the Seoda Chamber Choir on 10 July and Soumik Datta on 11 July.

At the Festival Club, there is a launch supper, with live music, on 7 July, hosted by Lyric FM's Liz Nolan, and a closing concert, on 12 July, headlined by Hunka Burning Love.

There is an exhibition of artwork by Sean Keating at the Hunt Museum, open studios at the Limerick City Gallery and three theatrical productions at Belltable, including an audio walking tour of the city.

MBNA is keen to ensure that the Festival caters for children as well as adults. The ICO's children outreach programme, Music Factory, stages a music camp at the ICO studios from 29 June to 3 July. There is also a Family Day, at Limerick City Gallery, on 11 July.

Notes to the editor

Play It Today is a website which reviews music, movies and games. Play It Today fully supports large corporate organisations reaching out to grass-root communities and events.

For more information visit http://www.playittoday.org

References

Play It Today - http://www.playittoday.org
Irish Chamber Orchestra - http://www.irishchamberorchestra.info/index.html
The Limerick Strand Hotel - http://www.strandhotellimerick.ie
The Hunt Museum - http://www.huntmuseum.com/
Belltable - http://www.myspace.com/belltable
Limerick City Gallery - http://gallery.limerick.ie
MBNA - http://www.mbna.ie or http://www.mbna.co.uk

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