Music lovers are in for a treat next Sunday, August 3, as the historic Claregalway Castle opens its doors for an enchanting evening of opera at the Summer Salon Concert. The event will feature two exceptional sopranos, Helen Hancock and Anna Rose Marshall, in a programme that spans from the Baroque to the Romantic era.
Galway-based soprano Helen Hancock, well known for her versatility and expressive performances, will headline the concert. Hancock has built a distinguished career performing in recitals, baroque ensembles, and chamber music settings across Ireland. Her forthcoming art song album TOGETHERNESS, a collaboration with German pianist Paul Cibis, is set for release on September 19 under the Navona Records label. The project, which originated from a recital titled Zweisamkeit in Würzburg, Germany this past June, was part of the Zeitgeist Irland 24 cultural initiative.
Hancock is also scheduled to appear in Culture Night Galway this autumn and will take on the role of Molly in the opera Lady Gregory in America, composed by Alberto Caruso with a libretto by acclaimed Irish author Colm Tóibín. That performance will be part of the Gregory-Yeats Festival in Gort on September 26.
Joining Hancock on stage will be rising soprano Anna Rose Marshall, a recent graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where she studied under Linda Richardson. Now based in London, Marshall has already impressed audiences with performances at The Venue (Leeds Conservatoire ), the York Barbican, and at the Edinburgh Fringe’s Holyrood Palace. Her operatic experience includes roles in Der Wildschütz (as Countess ), The Ghosts of Versailles, and as part of the chorus in Die Fledermaus.
Marshall has also participated in prestigious masterclasses at the Ryedale Festival, Sowerby Music Festival, Leeds Lieder, and the RNCM. She is set to continue her vocal training with a planned Masters in vocal studies and opera.
The concert programme promises a rich and varied selection of operatic favourites, featuring works by Mozart, Puccini, Handel, Dvo?ák, Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Delibes, Offenbach, and Schubert. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or new to the genre, the evening promises something for everyone in an intimate and historic setting.
Tickets for the Summer Salon Concert are priced at £25 and are available via Eventbrite. The evening begins with a welcome reception including drinks and canapés at 6:30pm, offering guests the chance to enjoy the scenic surrounds of Claregalway Castle before the music begins. Seating is limited to 100 attendees, and early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.
This unique cultural event is set to be one of the highlights of the summer in Galway, combining top-class vocal performances with the charm of a medieval castle setting.
