A Viennese Strauss Gala

Viennese Strauss Gala re-creates the nostalgia and romance of the grand ballrooms of 19th century Vienna in the Mullingar Arts Centre on Thursday, February 5.The audience is introduced to a by-gone age of glamorous soirée"s and Strauss waltzes and comprises highlights from some of the great operettas of Strauss, Kalman and Lehar.This splendid show which received rave reviews and delighted audiences all over the country is performed by soloists from the major British and European Opera companies, such as D"Oyly Carte, Scottish Opera, and Welsh National Opera.Sparkling British soprano soloist Amanda Watsham Dunstall will perform alongside three exceptional artists in beautiful costumes of the period. Having trained at Morley Opera College, London Amanda"s recent roles include 'The Queen of the Night' in Mozart"s Magic Flute for Bel Canto Opera and 'Into the Woods' for the Royal Opera House.Joining Amanda is British tenor, Francis Church. who trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, winning the Verdi Prize at the National Mozart Competition and Scottish Opera"s John Noble competition.Performing alongside Amanda and Francis are Alycia Fashae and Richard Knight. From Perthshire, Scotland, Soprano Alycia began her musical studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and in 1996 won a place at the Centre de Formation Lyrique de L"Opera National de Paris. Richard trained at the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music and has recently finished performing one of the leading roles with 'The Phantom of the Opera' at Her Majesty"s Theatre, London.These extremely talented lead singers are complimented by the European Orchestral Ensemble, musically arranged by musical director Matthew Freeman. Matthew enjoys an extensive career as an arranger, conductor and pianist. Most recently he has arranged and conducted a rock classic album for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and he arranged music for the film "Gladiator".The beautifully crafted production is cleverly choreographed, tastefully costumed and magnificently sung and gives the audience an authentic feel of a festive Viennese evening, and appeals to the romantic as much as the music aficionado and has already proved very popular all over the country.'A romantic Viennese experience'The Gala runs for one night only, Thursday, February 5 with tickets priced at €20 and €17.50. Tickets are available from the Arts Centre box office at 044 9347777 - certainly a show not to be missed!