Saint Patrick's Day Concert

Approximate Duration: 2 hours – includes 20 minute interval

After a break of ten years, due to COVID and some other factors,  the Central Victorian Irish Association is putting on a full Saint Patrick's Day concert this year.  It will take place on the actual feast day, Monday 17th March, at 7.30 pm in the Engine Room, part of the Capital complex. A wide selection of Irish music and culture will be on stage.

This will include traditional Irish dancing by the O' Shea Ryan Academy of Irish Dance, whose founder Geraldine Ryan OAM died towards the end of 2023, having first taught this art in Bendigo in 1947. Irish folk songs,  ballads, and drawing room songs will be featured. Singers will include former professional operatic soprano Suzanne Houlden, baritone Bryan Milne, and soprano Gayle Ritchie.  Leading Irish instrumentalists will include Meryl Wilkinson on Celtic harp, Emily Calder on fiddle, and special guest from Melbourne, Matthew Horseley on the Irish uilleann pipes. Other instrumentalists and singers will also perform.  The concert will be directed by well- known concert director John Clancy.

A special feature of this concert will be a centenary tribute to Irish born composer Victor Herbert. Born in Dublin in 1859, Herbert moved to New York. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries he became the doyen of music theatre in the USA. This concert will therefore feature a couple of songs  from his light opera "Naughty Marietta" and a few songs/ arias from his grand opera "Natoma", which has been rarely performed. Therefore, this Saint Patrick's Day concert will present songs and music to suit all tastes.

Tickets for the concert are priced at $18 adult, $15 concession, and $10 child under 16 years.

Prospective audience members are advised to book early, as the Old Fire Station has limited seating.

This concert is funded through the City of Greater Bendigo Community Grants Program.