{"id":8013,"date":"2014-09-17T15:03:54","date_gmt":"2014-09-17T14:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/?p=8013"},"modified":"2014-09-17T15:03:54","modified_gmt":"2014-09-17T14:03:54","slug":"local-talent-takes-the-baton-at-international-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/2014\/09\/local-talent-takes-the-baton-at-international-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"LOCAL TALENT TAKES THE BATON AT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL"},"content":{"rendered":"

ULSTER BANK BELFAST FESTIVAL AT QUEEN\u2019S SHOWCASES LOCAL AND EMERGING TALENT FROM ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND<\/h1>\n
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LOCAL TALENT TAKES THE BATON: Emerging conductor Eugene Monteith, from Strabane, pictured with Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, who will take charge of the baton at the Emerging Conductors lunchtime concert with Ulster Orchestra on 22nd October as part of this year\u2019s Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen\u2019s. Eugene will join two other emerging conductors for this special performance following an intense week of masterclasses led by Guest Principal Conductor Jac van Steen. The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen\u2019s features an array of local artists and organisations who join an impressive international line up on 16 October to 1 November. For details check-in at www.belfastfestival.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Local artists and organisations from all over Northern Ireland will be taking part in Ireland\u2019s leading contemporary international arts festival, the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen\u2019s, as they join the impressive line-up of Europe\u2019s top theatre directors and internationally acclaimed artists in dance, film, theatre and music, filling venues all over Belfast from 16th October – 1st November.<\/p>\n

Fans of classical music should look out for local rising stars, Soprano, Emma Morwood, described by The Sunday Times as a \u2018radiant Pamina\u2019 for her role in Mozart\u2019s The Magic Flute, and up and coming conductor, Eugene Monteith.\u00a0 Eugene who hails from Strabane, will take charge of the baton at the Emerging Conductors lunchtime concert with Ulster Orchestra, following an intense week of masterclasses for emerging conductors led by Guest Principal Conductor Jac van Steen.<\/p>\n

Be transported back to the golden age of the romantic Parisian salon with the fabulous, Quercus Ensemble, who are offering up a wonderful\u00a0 evening of songs, games and dances at the Caf\u00e9 De Paris featuring a specially commissioned work by Northern Irish composer Patrick Brennan.\u00a0 Quercus Ensemble is a dynamic mixed chamber ensemble founded by Kim Vaughan (cello) from Derry and featuring many of Northern Ireland’s top young professional musicians.\u00a0 This event is part of the Northern Lights Mini-Fest presented with Belfats Music Society in an annual showcase of outstanding young classical musicians from Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

World-renowned pianist and star Barry Douglas performs with the Ulster Orchestra in the concert, A Fanfare to Fate, an evening which also celebrates the work of local composer Simon Mawhinney, with a performance of \u2018The Pot of Pulgarve\u2019.<\/p>\n

Richard Wakely, Director, Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen\u2019s, said, \u201cThe Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen\u2019s aims to bring the world\u2019s leading artists and performers to Belfast, but we also aim to bring Belfast to the world, by offering a platform to the outstanding, home-grown talent we are fortunate to have in the region.\u00a0 From showcasing the more established professionals such as world-renowned pianist Barry Douglas, the Ulster Orchestra and the award-winning Kabosh theatre company, to the array of emerging talented singers, musicians and dancers, the Festival provides an opportunity for Belfast and Northern Ireland to stand up and be proud of our artists and thriving arts sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music at the Arts Council, commented: \u201cAs one of Northern Ireland\u2019s premier arts events, the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen\u2019s, offers the ideal platform for the very best local and emerging artists to showcase their talents, alongside top international acts. It\u2019s a wonderfully eclectic programme which provides genuine excitement and enjoyment to audiences, helping to bring great art within the reach of everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Belfast based dance company, Maiden Voyage, will premiere their 20th<\/sup> original production, Neither Either, in a cross border collaboration with Liz Roche Company, Dublin.\u00a0 The dance workshop, aimed at schools, takes its inspiration from the writings of the great Seamus Heaney and is a free workshop with the aims of promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.<\/p>\n

Kabosh\u2019s new production, 20, reflects on the 20th anniversary of the 1994 IRA Ceasefire in this unique multi-sensory experience of Belfast which takes place in the enchanting setting of the Dome, Victoria Square. <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wondered how artists work, wonder no more as Belfast Open Studios open their doors for a glimpse into the creative processes that result in the artworks often shown in galleries and museums.\u00a0 Studios taking part include, Flax Art Studios, Creative Exchange, Paragon, QSS Bedford Street and Platform Arts.<\/p>\n

Other local highlights includes;<\/p>\n