Yonit Kosovske & Julie Comparini on tour in Ireland 1–12 March
Watershed is a new song cycle for voice and piano inspired by the natural bodies of water and land in Ireland’s mid-west region and along the Atlantic coast. With music by renowned Irish composer Ailís Ní Ríain and text by Killaloe resident and poet Jessica Brown, it is a song cycle inextricably rooted in place and in nature. Central to the song-texts—which are taken from Jessica’s superb collection, And Say (Revival Press, Limerick 2019)—are themes informed by the writer’s personal interaction with water and the surrounding landscapes in counties Clare and Tipperary. Musicians Julie Comparini and Yonit Kosovske will perform this new work in several venues throughout Ireland in early March 2022.
The Watershed song cycle was commissioned by Yonit with funding from the Arts Council Music Commissions Award in 2020. The Watershed CD, produced by Now and Then Media, was released in November 2021 and features the song cycle, poetry readings, and field recordings of soundscapes along and near Lough Derg in County Clare. Both the Watershed album and Jessica’s poetry collection will be available for purchase at the live performances. The CD is also available on Bandcamp (click on SHOP above to purchase).
Read about the premiere performance here.
Watershed concert dates:
Tuesday 1 March 1.15pm: St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick (PREMIERE)
https://www.saintmaryscathedral.ie
This performance will also be livestreamed:
https://www.churchservices.tv/limerickstmarys
Watershed by Ailís Ní Ríain
Julie Comparini, contralto
Yonit Kosovske, piano
Jessica Brown, poetry
Wednesday 2 March 1.00pm: Emily Anderson Concert Hall, NUI Galway
https://musicforgalway.ie/event/lunchtime-concert-julie-comparini-yonit-kosovske/
“Lough Derg 1 & 2”—Watershed by Ailís Ní Ríain & Hermit Songs by Samuel Barber
Julie Comparini, contralto
Yonit Kosovske, piano
Saturday 5 March 7.00pm: St Caimin Church of Ireland, Mountshannon, Co Clare
Lough Derg 1 & 2 Two song cycles on place and poetry — Mountshannon Arts
“Lough Derg 1 & 2”—Watershed by Ailís Ní Ríain & Hermit Songs by Samuel Barber
Julie Comparini, contralto
Yonit Kosovske, piano
Jessica Brown, poetry
deBrun, artwork
Sunday 6 March 12.00pm: Hugh Lane Gallery, Dublin
https://www.hughlane.ie/forthcoming-sunday-concerts
“Lough Derg 1 & 2”—Watershed by Ailís Ní Ríain & Hermit Songs by Samuel Barber
Julie Comparini, contralto
Yonit Kosovske, piano
Jessica Brown, poetry
Tuesday 8 March 1.00pm: Finding a Voice, Old St Mary’s Church, Clonmel
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/266845250327
“Reflections”—Watershed by Ailís Ní Ríain & Quatre Chants by Lili Boulanger
Julie Comparini, contralto
Yonit Kosovske, piano
Jessica Brown, poetry
**Thursday 10 March 1.10pm: Maynooth University, Riverstown Hall**
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/term-card
“Lough Derg 1 & 2”—Watershed by Ailís Ní Ríain & Hermit Songs by Samuel Barber
Julie Comparini, contralto
Yonit Kosovske, piano
**Please note that the Maynooth concert is only open to staff and students of Maynooth University. Where possible, each recital will be recorded and uploaded to the YouTube channel ‘MusicAtMaynooth’.**
Saturday 12 March 1.30pm: St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny
The concert in Kilkenny has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.https://www.musicinkilkenny.org/events/lunchtime-concert-hermit-songs-barber-watershed-ailis-ni-riain
“Lough Derg 1 & 2”—Watershed by Ailís Ní Ríain & Hermit Songs by Samuel Barber
Julie Comparini, contralto
Yonit Kosovske, piano