The Irish Chamber Orchestra is regarded as one of Ireland's most distinguished ensembles. Consisting of top Irish and international string players, the orchestra has gained a reputation, not just in Ireland, but throughout the world, as a vibrant and refreshing presence in the sphere of classical and contemporary music.

Along with a very busy touring schedule in Ireland, the orchestra has been provided with many opportunities to perform internationally in recent years.

It has toured Britain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia and the United States performing in venues including the Wigmore Hall and the Barbican in London, the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Kennedy Centre in Washington.

Conductor Nicholas McGegan is one of the world's leading authorities on Baroque and Classical repertoire.

Fionnuala Hunt, the Artistic and Music Director of the ICO since 1995, has directed performances both nationally and globally and given world premieres of specially commissioned works by Irish composers.

In Shanghai, the concert includes T. C. Kelly's "O'Carolan Suite", Raymond Deane's "A Fire Was In My Head", Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1 Op. 35 and Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

7:15pm, March 22

Shanghai Grand Theatre

300 Renmin Dadao

Tel: 5466-0260, 5466-0251100-250 yuan

(Shanghai Star March 20, 2003)