St. Patrick’s Musical Celebration With The APO

St. Patrick’s Musical Celebration With The APO

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling – Symphonic Pops Series, Concert 1
Saturday 15th March, 3pm, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE

February 14, 2008 – With a combination of a full symphony orchestra, a celebrated Irish tenor, champion Irish dancers and a selection of heart-stirring and toe-tapping melodies, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s When Irish Eyes Are Smiling concert will be one big musical St. Patrick’s celebration on Saturday 15th March.

The concert is part of the APO’s Symphonic Pops Series and will be held at the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE at the special matinee time of 3pm to fit in with the Auckland Irish community’s other St. Patrick’s Festival activities happening in the city on the day, including the annual parade down Queen Street that this year will finish at Britomart Square.

The concert will feature orchestrated renditions of Irish favourites such as Danny Boy, Finnegan’s Wake, She Moved Thro the Fair, Galway Bay, The Water is Wide, The Harp that Once Thro Tara’s Hall, The Cliffs of Dooneen and many more. The concert will be conducted by Sean O’Boyle, who conducted last year’s popular Scotland the Brave concerts, and special guest tenor, Seán Ruane. Experienced Irish fiddler, the APO’s Miranda Adams, will perform fiddle solos.

Dancers from the Doyle Academy of Irish Dance will also perform in the concert, including the current New Zealand champion for men over 17, 18-year-old Christopher Hodgson. Christopher has won seven New Zealand titles and qualified for the World Championships nine times.

“The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is pleased to be able to join the St. Patrick’s Festival this year with this excellent musical celebration of Irish songs,” says APO Chief Executive Barbara Glaser. “We invite music-loving audiences on a journey through the Emerald Isle with a selection of songs to tug at the heart-strings and set the toes tapping.”

Tickets to When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (from $20 to $65) are available from Ticketek, Ph 09 307 5139, www.ticketek.co.nz.

ENDS

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