The Callino Quartet.

Callino Quartet in concert in Castlepollard

The Derravaragh Music Association are delighted to host the Callino Quartet for a concert on Saturday March 25 at the beautiful Gothic Revival St Michael's Church of Ireland, Castlepollard.

The Programme offers music by Hadyn, Helena, Helena Winkelmann and Ravel and tickets are €25 (half price under 18s) and include interval refreshments, and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

St Michael's Church of Ireland is aa treat for those that have not visited it before, with its marvellous acoustics, warm welcoming interior and decorative plasterwork.

Since its formation the Callino Quartet has been impressing international audiences with their bold, imaginative and sensitive performances. They have cultivated a challenging and eclectic repertoire, performing and collaborating with many diverse musicians including the Belcea string quartet, double bassist Edgar Meyer, pianist Barry Douglas, singer Patricia Rozario, rock band Arcade Fire, Bell Orchestre and jazz musicians John Abercrombie and Sophie Dunér.

Winners of several international prizes and distinctions, including second prize in the 2008 Tromp International String Quartet in the Netherlands, the quartet studied intensively with Rainer Schmidt (Hagen Quartet) in 2008 at the Musik Akademie in Basel, Switzerland, and were also invited to Italy to work with the distinguished Hungarian composer and pedagogue Gyorgy Kurtàg. In February 2010 they were a resident quartet at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada and gave their Carnegie Hall début in March.

Their recent release of Haydn’s Seven Last Words on the Coro label has met with critical acclaim. The Callino Quartet take their name from the Irish air 'Cailin cois tSuir a me' which means Girl by the River Suir. This song was the first Irish air to be notated in the late 16th century and became known as the Callino manuscript. It is now on display in Trinity College library, Dublin. The Callino Quartet concerts are arranged by the National String Quartet Foundation and receive support from the Arts Council, Lyric FM.

A pre-concert supper is available at the Petal Café, the Square in Castlepollard. On offer is a two course meal with wine and coffee. You will need to reserve in advance and available places are limited to 24. They will begin service from 6pm to enable guests to finish with plenty of time (7.30pm.) to go across to St Michael's Church of Ireland take their seats for the concert.

On reservation you will be asked for your choice - price is €27.50pp and booking for the pre-concert supper must be made directly with the Petal Café. Please email petalcafe2018@gmail.com or contact direct on 0862281528.