UK pianist Lucy Parham and actor Tim McInnerny (whose screen appearances include Blackadder and Notting Hill) will present Elégie: Rachmaninov – A Heart in Exile next Tuesday, September 26, in the Ballroom of the Hardiman Hotel, Eyre Square, at 7.30pm.

This celebration of the Russian-born romantic composer and pianist, Sergei Rachmaninov, will open Music for Galway’s 42nd International Concert Season.

The show will visit Athenry the following night, Wednesday, September 27, when it will be performed in the Raheen Woods Hotel.

Sergei Rachmaninov spent the second half of his life in political exile – mostly in America – having fled Russia in 1918 at the age of 44, after the Bolshevik Revolution. With his wife and two daughters, he left Moscow for Sweden on an open sleigh, carrying just one suitcase. Although he never returned, Rachmaninov left his heart behind and later described himself as “a ghost forever wandering the world”.

Using music and words, Lucy Parham and Tim McInnerny will tell his extraordinary story in this show.

One of Britain’s finest pianists, Lucy has played as concerto soloist with most of the major British orchestras and is a frequent recitalist at the Wigmore Hall. Abroad, she has toured with the Russian State Symphony, Sofia Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic, Polish National Radio SO and L’Orchestre National de Lille.

In addition, she creates shows about famous composers including Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninov, Debussy, Clara Schumann and Robert Schumann and, on this occasion, Sergei Rachmaninov. All have been narrated by acclaimed actors, such as Tim McInnerny.

His theatre roles include playing Iago in Othello at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London and he also starred in Scenes From An Execution at the nearby National Theatre.

TV work includes Blackadder, A Very British Coup; Gunpowder, Treason and Plot. He also played Lord Robett Glover in Game of Thrones.

After playing Galway City on Tuesday, the two will perform the piece in Athenry on Wednesday as part of Music for Galway’s Encore Series. This is in association with Athenry Music School and Athenry Heritage Centre.

Tickets cost €20/€18/€6; and €16 for MfG friends, They can be booked from www.musicforgalway.ie or on 091 705962.

Pictured: Pianist and author Lucy Parham and actor Tim McInnerny.