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Quigley Classical Christmas 2008 |
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Written by John McCullagh
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Thursday, 18 December 2008 |
Let me first offer humble apologies for advertising this wonderful event AFTER the fact, but since I had not booked tickets, I might have 'shot myself in the foot' by offering pre-publicity for what is ALWAYS (and rightfully) a sell-out concert! It was superb!
 Joanne Quigley - who will be Mrs McParland in two weeks time - has been organising this great event for many years and participating in it for decades. She is a wonderful violinist and a charming young lady. She also has put Newry on the 'classical music' map by arranging a series of such concerts here with a variety of talented guests throughout the year.
I promise in future to give you advanced notice of each and every such event!
Her younger brother David is now a pianist of huge international standing and indeed, he is in such high demand worldwide that he rarely gets a chance to come home and perform in Newry.
At last, an area where we can rightfully claim to have world-class performers and in a cultural pursuit of the highest calibre. I am so proud!
*****
David's high standing in the field means of course that he has acquired greatly-talented and influential friends, some of whom he manages to attract to our shores!
Last night it was married couple Amanda Winfield (soprano) and Ravil Atlas (tenor) who - as befits the name - have conquered the world! Amanda's performance of Mascagni's Ave Maria brought tears to my eyes to the point where I had to hide my face from a possibly-bemused but certainly-bewitched audience.
Every other rendition was equally fantastic, both from our guests and from our own home-grown fabulous family pair!
It would probably be both self-indulgent and invidious of me to continue in this vein - to detail the excellent programme, for example - so I will conclude merely by encouraging you to become a "Friend of Newry Chamber Music" and to attend all future concerts.
It will literally be 'for your own good!'.
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Recreation 
