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Comhaltas group to perform in Moscow alongside Russian musicians to mark the beginning of a long partnership between CCÉ and Russian lovers of Irish culture and traditional music

On 26th November a group of Comhaltas musicians lead by the well known singer Seán Ó Sé will make a trip to Moscow for two days as part of a relationship building project between Ireland and Russia. During this time they will perform as part of a concert in the Central Hall of Artists alongside Russian musicians and dancers of two generations.

This concert was organized by the Moscow branch of Comhaltas and the Veresk cultural foundation. These structures are long time partners in organizing Irish musical events in Russia and particularly in Moscow since 2000. Such events include many small and large concerts and as well as two Irish festivals in March and November.

The first part of the concert in the Central Hall of Artists will consist of performances from two generations of Russian musicians and dancers. The audience will see Slua Si (the band which successfully popularizes Irish music in Russia), famous Moscow piper Vladimir Lazerson, well known talented multi instrumentalist Anatoly Isaev joining the very first All -Ireland senior fiddle finalist in Russian musical history, Keyreel Raskolenko who competed at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2009.

The second and main part of this concert will feature a performance by Comhaltas artists; Seán Ó Sé, the celebrated Cork singer, Pádraig King a teacher in Newbridge College Kildare and the current 2009 All-Ireland Senior Button Accordion Champion from West Limerick, Martino Vacca, a student at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance University of Limerick is the current 2009 Senior All-Ireland Uilleann Pipes Champion. Other performers include Tara Breen from County Clare who is currently studying music in UCC, a highly accomplished All-Ireland Champion level dancer and multi-instrumentalist and Gearóid Keane from Co. Kildare. Gearóid, a leading Irish step dancer and concertina player currently studies in Trinity College.

The musicians will be accompanied by Siobhán Ní Chonaráin: A native of Limerick Siobhán Ní Chonaráin is now most associated with her position as Music/Education and Irish language Projects Officer with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

A major factor in the organisation of this trip is the level of interest and proficiency in the Irish language amongst the Russian CCÉ hosts. It is hoped that this concert will be the start of a long and successful partnership between Comhaltas and Russian Irish cultural enthusiasts and in turn that more Russian musicians, singers and dancers will come to Ireland in the future to learn, to listen, to play and participate in our Irish cultural traditions.