An interesting looking gig in the middle of next week, Tuesday to be exact! Karen Underwood has one of those voices that can fill any room, and she’ll be working it in the John Field Room in the NCH next week. Get along if you can.

Karen Underwood – Of Ladies Lost and Found With John O’Brien

A celebration of the lives and music of divas who left our world too soon.

John Field Room NCH |  8pm | 13th of January 2015

Of Ladies Lost and Found is an exploration of love and loss by Karen Underwood as witnessed in the songs of artists such as Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Whitney Houston, Edith Piaf, and Amy Winehouse.  It is directed and arranged by John O’Brien.

In 2012, Karen and John conceived Of Ladies Lost and Found and premiered the production at The Everyman Palace in November that year for Bounce Back, a suicide prevention charity Karen founded in 2012. Her songs, lilting American voice and charming stage persona offers a concert that celebrates the lives of remarkable divas who left us too soon but whose music lingers on.

Karen Underwood is Ireland’s very own diva. This lady is full of soul and skill. She wrote and performed in The Nina in Me which was produced by the Cork Opera House and directed and arranged by John O’Brien. In 2011, she toured  a second show Singing Nina, about the life and music of Nina Simone with The Booty Band, the soul, jazz and funk band.

John O’Brien is a director, composer and conductor based in Cork whose work has received considerable critical acclaim. His co-direction and musical direction of Pagliacci at the Everyman won Best Opera Production at the 2012 Irish Times Theatre Awards. More recently, John producedDer Vampyr in association with Cork Operatic Society.