Suzanne Murphy, probably the most popular of Irish sopranos with Irish audiences, has joined the staff of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, writes Michael Dervan. She will teach advanced singing students and conduct an opera class in an appointment that has been funded by the O'Reilly Foundation.
Also joining the academy's vocal staff are mezzo Colette McGahon and bass Philip O'Reilly. RIAM is inviting applications from prospective singing students, who should contact the general office at 01-6764412.
The National Chamber Choir has confirmed expectations by appointing the Brazilian conductor Celso Antunes as artistic director, in succession to Colin Mawby.
Antunes, who will take up his post in May next year, first conducted the choir in 1998, in a performance of Handel's Messiah with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and returned for further concerts this year and last.
He has been heavily involved in contemporary music (he is chief conductor of the Belgian ensemble Champ d'Action), has affiliations with a range of German choirs (he is chief conductor of the Audienda Chor Krefeld, the Oratorienchor Brⁿhl and the Konzertchor Hⁿrth) and was chief conductor of the Neues Rheinisches Kammerorchester, in the German city of K÷ln, from 1994 to 1998.
Edited by Helen Meany
arts@irish-times.ie
