Magnificent musical experience provided at Tipperary festival

The curtains have closed and that’s a wrap on Finding a Voice 2024 and what a magnificent weekend of music it was.  Beginning with Musici Ireland’s powerful and poignant work A Mother’s Voice, Clonmel’s newest venue STAC Chapel was transformed into an immersive exploration of Ireland’s mother and baby homes legacy.  With stunning visuals and a live music score, this moving yet uplifting piece was beautifully brought to life by the musicians.  The International Women’s Day celebrations then continued in a singer-songwriter showcase in Baker’s Bar, featuring a lineup of fantastic local talent, with Kate Twohig, Eve Whelan and E J Mae all taking to the stage for an evening of original live music.

Saturday’s activities kicked off with a talk in Clonmel Library by Dr Laura Watson on singers and their memoirs, including the autobiographies of Nina Simone, Brittany Spears and Sinead O’Connor.  The gorgeous lunchtime concert by Duo Anima that followed featured the world premiere of a new work by composer Jane O’Leary, who was there in the audience.  Jane spoke afterwards about how much she loves coming to Clonmel and the warmth of the reception she experiences in the town.  In the afternoon, Berber duo Iness Mezel and Nora Abdouan gave a fascinating insight into the musical world of this unique culture that had the audience clapping, singing and tapping their feet.

There were more world premieres in Saturday evening’s concert by contemporary music supergroup Evlana, including the first performance of the winning piece in the festival’s competition for emerging composers.  This year’s winner was Cathy Purcell, originally from Kilkenny and the owner and musical director of Rhythm and Shakes in Waterford.  Audiences in the packed chapel were wowed again by the first performance of a stunning new work by composer Judith Ring inspired by the River Suir and the whole evening was a tour de force of magnificent music making.

The final day of the festival saw the incredible musicians of Amerghin thrill audiences in Clonmel’s Main Guard with a time-travelling programme that brought us on a journey from the seventeenth century to the present day and from Ireland to Africa!  A highlight of the concert was another new work by Irish-American composer Adele O’Dwyer, dedicated to Clonmel’s own Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.  Sunday 10th March was also Mother’s Day and motherhood provided the theme for the festival’s closing concert.  Audiences were enthralled by Clonmel soprano Kelley Petcu, as well as violinist Patrick Rafter and mother-daughter duo, Gabriela and Alina Mayer on piano and cello.  Another packed house and standing ovation brought this year’s festival to a triumphant close. 

We can’t wait until next year – the dates have already been announced so put 6th-9th March 2025 in your diaries now!