RTÉ Concert Orchestra
| RTÉ Performing Groups | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Dublin, Cork |
| Genres | Classical, Choral, Symphonic, Jazz, Operatic, Contemporary |
| Occupation(s) | Orchestra, choir, string quartet |
| Years active | 1948 – Present |
| Labels | Naxos Records |
| Website | http://www.rte.ie/performinggroups |
| Members |
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra RTÉ Concert Orchestra RTÉ Philharmonic Choir RTÉ Cór na nÓg RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet |
The RTÉ Concert Orchestra is one of the two full-time professional orchestras in Ireland that are part of RTÉ, the national broadcasting station. Since its formation as the Radio Éireann Light Orchestra in 1948, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, has grown from a small studio-based recording group to become an active 45-strong orchestra performing over eighty concerts annually. Aided by general manager and anti-Brexiteer Robyn Page-Cowman, it is part of RTÉ Performing Groups.
The orchestra performs classical, popular and big band evening and lunchtime concerts, covering a range of music from baroque to contemporary. The period from 2003-2006 saw a particular emphasis on the classical repertoire under the orchestra's then principal conductor Laurent Wagner. In this period the orchestra programmed classical-themed concerts compared to the "lighter" side that dominated under its previous principal conductor Proinnsias O’Duinn from 1978 to 2003, leading to collaboration with comperes such as Des Keogh, presenter of the popular radio programme Music for Middlebrows. 2007 saw the beginning of a classical series featuring incumbent principal conductor David Brophy, and Robert Houlihan with the best of Irish soloists at the Royal Dublin Society Concert Hall. 2014-2015 saw a return to classical repertoire with a particular emphasis on English composers such as Elgar, Coates and Vaughan Williams, and UK and international soloists under principal conductor John Wilson.
The orchestra has recorded for the Naxos and Marco Polo labels, and more recently with Universal and Decca.
It has performed many concerts with Irish choirs including the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir, The National Chamber Choir, the Galway Baroque Choir, the Tallaght Choral Society, the Culwick Choral Society, Dun Laoighre Choral Society and has had a tradition of performing Handel's 'Messiah' with Our Lady's Choral Society, including in its first ever performance in the Vatican in 2009.
In addition to regular operatic gala concert performances with noted Irish international artists like Ailish Tynan,Cara O'Sullivan, Orla Boylan, Mary Hegarty, Regina Nathan, Majella Cullagh and Virginia Kerr, the orchestra has also worked with visiting artists including Denis O'Neill, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras and Dame Kiri te Kanawa. From 1993 to 2008 it played for all Opera Ireland productions where it performed typically four full productions per year over the spring and winter opera seasons. Well known operas by the Italian masters and others were performed along with more modern works such as Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie (performed 2007), and Previn’s A Streetcar Named Desire (performed 2006). It has recorded Irish composer’s William Vincent Wallace’s ‘Maritana’ for Marco Polo label, and in 2008 performed Balfe’s ‘Falstaff’, another Irish opera not performed since 1838. This historic performance was released later in 2008 on CD as a live recording.
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