The award-winning fiddle player Liz Carroll and guitarist John Doyle are performers and composers who take the tradition of Irish music in daring, inventive new directions. Separately, they are geniuses of their instruments, while together their combined talents have resulted in concerts and live performances of stunning virtuosity. Together, these two musicians come to the stage at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, January 19 in what is sure to be one of the finest evenings of Irish inspired music along the midcoast this winter.

Born and raised in Dublin City, John Doyle is one of the most talented and innovative musicians to come out of Ireland in recent years. An extraordinary acoustic guitarist as well as an accomplished singer and songwriter, John has accompanied many top Irish artists. He has performed on film and television soundtracks including "The Brothers McMullen"

and "Out of Ireland." He was an original member of the acclaimed Celtic group Solas and has worked with a range of prominent figures in the Irish community, from Frank McCourt to The Eileen Ivers Band.

Among her honors, American born Liz Carroll, at age 18, earned the title of Senior All-Ireland Fiddle Champion. In addition, she has been named Irish Traditional Musician of the year by the Irish Echo and the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded Liz a National Heritage Fellowship for her great influence on Irish music in America. Liz Carroll is one of the masters of traditional Irish music living in America today.

Among other accolades, the New York Times has called Liz Carroll "brilliant," while the Wall Street Journal has called the duo "pure acoustic magic." The Irish Times, in response to their most recent album "In Play," stated "this is a collection that will dispel preconceptions about what the tradition is capable of - each and every one of Carroll and Doyle's jigs, reels and airs are delivered with soulful authority."

Audience members can expect an evening of invigorating hornpipes, airs, waltzes, reels and jigs performed by two of the finest Irish inspired musicians touring today. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20, if available, on the day of the concert. All seats are general admission. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., the concert is at 8 p.m. Box Office is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 86 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor or by calling 633-5159. Tickets are also available online at boothbayoperahouse.org.