A unique Summer Music, Opera Festival at a spectacular outdoor venue

Lismore Music Festival 2010, presents, Carmen at Lismore Castle; a story of doomed love and violent passion, with some of the most memorable music ever performed.

The Lismore Music Festival is an eclectic mix of musical genres with opera at it’s core and is planned to become an annual event which will attract music lovers and visitors to the region.  Situated in what is often referred to as the Irish Riveria, Lismore Castle, the privately owned residence of the Duke of Devonshire and his family will play host to two performances of Carmen in the transformed upper stables on the grounds of the castle by kind permission of Lord and Lady Burlington.

The festival which will take place over two days, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6  June will present a new production of Bizet’s classic and much loved opera Carmen directed by Dieter Kaegi.  The orchestration has been commissioned by the LMF and especially arranged by Redmond O’Toole for 8 string guitar, accordian,  double bass,  violin and percussion.  The programme for the weekend also includes a concert in Lismore’s historic St. Carthage’s Cathedral on Sunday 6th June following Sunday Services aswell as the Lismore Farmers Market on the castle avenue and the Opera Supper Club after each performance in O’Brien’s Chop House in Lismore town.

When the original opera Carmen premiered in Paris in 1875, it was deemed a failure for its shallow, sinful plot. Over one hundred years later, however, Carmen has become one of the most popular operas in the world

The LMF have assembled a fantastic cast of Irish and International singers and musicians for this unique Summer Musical event.  The Carmen cast includes Mezzo Soprano Fiona Murphy as Carmen, Richard Crawley as Don Jose,  Liam Bonner as Escamillio and Dierdre Masterson as Michaela.  The LMF Chamber Orchestra includes,  Redmond O’Toole on 8 string guitar,  Dermot Dunne,  accordion,  Cora Venus Lunny, Violin,  Noel Eccles, percussion and Malachy Robinson on Double Bass.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early,  enjoy some Spanish tapas and paella with a glass of wine in the romantic and magical surroundings of the castle gardens.  The organisers have also set up a Cava and Wine Bar within the castle walls for the weekend.

Be one of the first to experience this unique Summer event in one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, tickets are selling fast and early booking of tickets and accommodation is recommended.

The festival box office is now open to the public following a priority booking period for Friends of Lismore Castle – (00 353) 058 52769 or email:  boxoffice@lismoremusicfestival.com