Drogheda Independent reports Awakening as a Storming Success
A classical evening: Amie Dyer launches Sonaírí.
Sonaírí launch a storming success (by Seamie Briscoe)
It was ironic that storm ‘Amie’ was threatening on the night Drogheda Soprano, Amie Dyer, was performing her ‘Awakening’ Sonaírí Launch Concert in St Peter’s Church of Ireland in Drogheda recently. Whilst storm ‘Amie’ was beginning to show signs outside, it certainly had no effect on the wonderful evening the large audience enjoyed inside St Peter’s Church. This was a recital which shows the affection in which Amie Dyer is held in her own home town of Drogheda. Along with her outstanding singing partner, Tenor, David Corr, there were superb in giving the large attendance a wonderful evening’s entertainment. Their accompanist, the magnificent Maja Elliott, also showing her musical versatility, when she performed her own magnificent piano solo on her own composition, entitled “AHAM” during the evening.
The Mayor of Drogheda, Councillor Michelle Hall, opened proceedings and welcomed David Corr and Maja Elliott to Drogheda to join with Amie Dyer in launching her new musical venture, Sonaírí. She went on to mention the array of top class classical singers that were now emerging in Drogheda and also the fact that she was a good friend of Amie Dywer, whom she said, have given so much pleasure since she was a very young girl. She went on the wish her well in her new venture on forming Sonaírí with David Corr and Maja Elliott.
Master of Ceremonies for the recital, Anne Marie Graham, introduced accompanist, Maja Elliott, Soprano, Amie Dyer and Tenor, David Corr, on to the stage and informed the large audience of the evening’s running order. The recital opened with the Andrew Lloyd Webber requiem, “Pie Jesu” and this was the commencement of an evening of an exquisite programme of music which had a delighted eclectic variety of Opera, Musical Theatre and Traditional Irish all sung beautifully jointly and individually by Amie and David. There were several standing ovations, for the likes of; “Vilija” by Fraz Lehar from the Merry Widow and “The Merry Widow Waltz” and the beautiful “O Mio Babino” - Giacomo Puccini.
There was also a segment of songs from files such as “Parla Piu Piano” by Nino Rota from The Godfather and the enchanting Henry Mancini’s “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the haunting “Nella Fantasia” by Ennio Morricone.
The second half of the recital included classics from musical theatre such as “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables , and “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady. Amie and David introduced their latest recoding As Gaelige; “Mo Ghille Mear” by Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill.
There were many more renditions during an evening which absolutely enthralled the audience and drew several standing ovations throughout the recital. Before the performance ended, Amie Dyer, thanked the many people in her life who had supported her since she had decided to make a career in classical singing. Always modest, the Drogheda girl humbly paid tribute to those who had made it a night she would always remember. Her decision to form Sonaírí with David and Maja was a new venture she said, and they were now enjoying the experience. Amie and David finished off a wonderful evening with the evocative “Time to Say Goodbye” which left their audience going home in a very happy mood and following a top class evening’s entertainment.
