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Date: 21 Mar 2024
A special evening of music, song and words, inspired in part by the Belfast Harpers' Assembly of 1792, will take place at the Ulster Hall on Saturday 13 April to mark the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy’s year in office.
Croí na Cathrach – Heart of the City – will see many of the city’s emerging and traditional musicians coming together to perform a selection of pieces, reflecting Belfast’s rich and diverse shared heritage.
A limited number of tickets for the free event will be available from ulsterhall.co.uk from 10am on Friday 22 March on a first-come, first-served basis (maximum of two per person).
Curated by renowned composer Neil Martin and presented by acclaimed broadcaster Lynette Fay, the show will open with a piece, led by Neil Martin, which evokes the spirit of the Belfast Harpers' Assembly, while Oscar-nominated actor Stephen Rea will perform a selection of readings throughout the evening.
There will be a collaboration between Glengormley School of Traditional Music and Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, members of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band will perform solo pipe pieces and there will also be two special renditions from the 1st Old Boys' Brass Band.
There will also be a unique performance of Slumdog Millionaire favourite Jai Ho from Mukesh Sharma and ArtsEkta, along with contributions from singers Gráinne Holland and Maurice Leyden.
TG4 Gradam Ceoil Bursary recipients Catriona Gribben, Ciara McGuire and Brendan Kerr will showcase their skills, before a special finale featuring soprano Petra Wells and her take on the classic Ae Fond Kiss, followed by an ensemble rendition of The Minstrel Boy.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said: “In what is a very special year for Belfast, I wanted to do my part to show how music, and culture in general, can be used positively to bring communities together and celebrate the ties that bind us.
“The Belfast Harpers' Assembly was a fantastic opportunity back in 1792 not just for musicians to show off their skills, but also for Belfast to invite people here - to our city - to experience the amazing talent we have here.
“My hope is that my Croí na Cathrach – Heart of the City – event will do the same, celebrating our wealth of musical talent and showing how music can unite us in what promises to be a really fun and enjoyable evening for everyone who attends.”
To book tickets for Croí na Cathrach – Heart of the City – visit ulsterhall.co.uk from 10am on Friday 22 March.