Growing up in Belfast in the 70's the McCrory brothers fuse an eclectic mix of their own original songs with traditional Irish sensibilities flavoured liberally with Floydian/Genesis/Horslipian spices.
Their band The FOS Brothers has now retired so this is a trip back to their roots of playing the clubs and festivals as a duo.
Much of their material is sourced from traditional and contemporary Irish writers, the most romantic and poetic songsmiths in the world.
"Highly recommended to lovers of folk with a progressive world music twist. In full flow the McCrory Brothers are phenomenal and never loose touch of their Irish roots." (Tony Colvill)
"There's an identifiable genre developing, acoustically biased groups playing mostly original material, a pleasant emphasis on momentum provided by acoustic rhythm guitar, mandolin and percussion The Brothers are typical, with well wrought songs sustaining the interest and tapping of the lower extremities." (FOLK ROOTS)
"The McCrory Brothers have a musicality and flexibility that is rare among the plethora of mediocre Folk Bands around. Additionally the brothers are actually Irish, and this prevailing influence, gives a genuine Celtic flavour to the music. I will be booking them again, both here and at my other venues and highly recommend them."(Dave Bassett - The Butter market Jazz & Roots Club, Shrewsbury)
MCCORY BROTHERS, ST PATRICK’S NIGHT
MONDAY 17th MARCH
7.30pm Doors 7.00pm
£15
Soprano, Cheryl Enever and Tenor, Jon Valender, joined by pianist Nicholas O’Neill return to the Malthouse for an evening of opera exploring themes of love, loss and jealousy through the works of Verdi, Puccini and Bizet. Scenes from operas by some of the best known composers will be brought to life by Cheryl and Jon’s infectious love of love of telling stories. It promises to be yet another entertaining evening!
Cheryl and Jon first met when they were working for English Touring Opera. They soon realised that not only did they share a passion for opera but also a dangerously similar sense of humour! Since then they have performed many times together in a vast range of programmes and venues. Their most recent (and unusual) performance was at Parliament Hill lido where they provided operatic accompaniment for a synchronised swimming team. Cheryl has sung many operatic roles for companies including the Royal Opera House where she created the role of Joanna in its community Opera Ludd and Isis. Among her favourite characters are Tosca and Violetta which she sang for the Bermuda Festival, in Luxembourg and London and Tatyana which she sang for English Touring Opera in a UK tour. Cheryl is passionate about contemporary music, and created the title role of Juliana in Joseph Phibbs’ opera based on Strindberg’s play, Miss Julie, to great critical acclaim.
Jon has taken lead roles in the UK for English Touring Opera, Scottish Opera, Opera North and the Ryedale Festival. Further afield he has regularly worked in Bangkok, Luxembourg, Italy, Ireland and Germany. Roles have included Mozart’s Idomeneo, Florestan (Fidelio), and Erik (Der fliegende Höllander). Whilst his favourite works are all by Wagner he tries not to inflict them on others and has even suggested a posthumous editor to make them a little more pallatable!
Our accompanist Nicholas O'Neill, is an award-winning composer and musician. Known for his versatility he is also a vastly experienced pianist, organist and conductor. He has worked with Cheryl and Jon on many occasions and despite this, has agreed to perform with them again. In 2012 he was awarded the American Guild of Organists Marilyn Mason Award for Organ Composition for his Festive Voluntary, he shared the Barbara Johnstone Composition Prize in 1995, won the Gregynog Young Composers' Award in 1993, and in 1992 he was unanimously awarded first prize in the Norwich Festival Composition Competition. He has been shortlisted for the William Mathias, Cornelius Cardew, Oare String Orchestra, Purcell and Vocalis composition awards.
