Woodpeckers Recorder Quartet features Kate Hearne (Ireland), Caroline Eidsten Dahl (Norway), Katarina Widell (Sweden) and Pernille Petersen (Denmark)

When four friends create an ensemble where their biggest love is playing Baroque music on

recorders, one has to get creative. There is a serious lack of original Baroque repertoire for this

combination, and that’s how our concept ‘Borrowed, not Stolen...’ was brought into being. We

have ‘borrowed’ music of all kinds and turned it into our own. Despite our wanderings in life, the

four of us are still deeply rooted in our childhood traditions stemming from Sweden, Norway,

Denmark and Ireland, and some of our favourite folk tunes, many of which date from the Baroque

era or even earlier, appear in this programme.

Programme: Borrowed, not Stolen...

Johann Sebastian Bach

Trad. Sweden:

Turlough Carolan:

Ruaidhrí Dall Ó Catháin (1580-1653)

Coxetown

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)

Trad. Denmark

Trad. Norway

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Under Paris Skies with the Far Flung Trio

A  very special concert infused with Parisian charm.

In characteristic fashion, the Trio’s repertoire will be drawn from many idioms including Romantic Opera, the Moulin Rouge and Hot Club Jazz, with music by Bizet, Satie and Michel Legrand among many others.

Celebrating their 10th anniversary with a national tour in 2024, the Far Flung Trio promises you a musical saunter to touch the heart and lift the spirits.

The Far Flung Trio are

Katherine Hunka (violin),

Dermot Dunne (accordion)

Malachy Robinson (double bass)

The name reflects their sense of fun and the eclecticism in their programming and performances. All leading Irish players, this trio is fuelled by the sheer joy generated in playing together. This evident rapport is one of the elements that particularly delights audiences; their aim has always been to deliver the highest calibre of musicianship, with lots of flair, in a way that is appealing and accessible to all.

Enoch Arden by Richard Strauss

Enoch Arden, a poem by A. L. Tennyson, was the inspiration for a melodrama for piano and narrator by Richard Strauss. It was composed in 1897 for actor Ernst von Possart who was influential in securing a position for Strauss as conductor of the Bavarian State Opera. Strauss and Possart toured extensively with this work, and it proved hugely popular with audiences.

Cellist Annette Cleary and pianist Réamonn Keary have collaborated to create a new arrangement of the work for cello, piano and actor. With renowned actor Barry McGovern as narrator, we are very excited to see this piece in Wexford.

Annette Cleary Cello

Réamonn Keary piano

Barry McGovern narrator

Annette Cleary and Réamonn Keary have been performing as a cello and piano duo for several years. In addition to exploring the standard repertoire they also specialise in rediscovering works that have unfairly fallen into obscurity, in particular works by female composers. In 2018, in the first Sounding the Feminists series at the NCH, they performed a cello sonata by the much-neglected Leokadiya Kashperova, and in a concert in August 2020 in Berlin they resurrected from obscurity the wonderful sonata by Melanie Bonis. Their most recent project involves a unique performance of the Rita Strohl cello sonata that includes narrator Barry McGovern with commissioned text by poet Josephine Collins. Annette and Réamonn also enjoy arranging songs for their combination of instruments; past performances have included arrangements of songs and works by Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and Richard Strauss, and they are currently arranging songs by Fauré, Poulenc and other French composers. Future concerts include a performance of Enoch Arden by Richard Strauss.

Barry McGovern's recent theatre work includes Woyzeck in Winter (Galway Arts Festival, Barbican and Dublin Theatre Festival); First Love (Gate); Krapp's Last Tape, Watt (adapted from Beckett's novel) and I'll Go On (adapted from Beckett's Three Novels) (all at Edinburgh International Festival); Ohio Impromptu, Act Without Words 2 and That Time (Walt Disney Hall, L.A.); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Abbey Theatre); Waiting for Godot (Mark Taper Forum, L.A.) and Endgame (Kirk Douglas Theatre, L.A.). Other theatre includes Sweeney Todd, The Home Place, Waiting for Godot, Endgame, Happy Days, A Christmas Carol, The Price, Glengarry Glen Ross (Gate), Faith Healer (Island Theatre Company) and Philadelphia, Here I Come! (Gaiety).

TV and Film includes Braveheart, Royally Ever After, Citizen Lane, The Cured, Aithrí/Penance, My Name is Emily, The Tudors, Miracle at Midnight, Na Cloigne, Game of Thrones, Gift of the Magi, Waiting for Godot, Joe Versus the Volcano, Dear Sarah and The Treaty. On radio he has directed a number of plays including Beckett's All that Fall and Pinter's Silence and played in Embers and Rough for Radio 2. A former member of the RTÉ Players and the Abbey Theatre company, he served on the Arts Council from 1984 to 1988. He has co-written two musicals with Bryan Murray and incidental music for some plays. He has recorded the complete Beckett novels Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnamable with RTÉ and the Lannan Foundation and gives frequent readings from Beckett's poetry and prose. He has taught at the University of Los Angeles at Davis and at the University of Notre Dame and was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Letters by Trinity College Dublin.

Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland - Music for Wexford Collaboration 2024

Saturday 28th September

Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland, in partnership with Music for Wexford is delighted to announce Harps South-East at St. Iberius Church, Wexford on Saturday 28th September 2024. Harps South-East will feature a variety of harp events; a Hands on Harps taster session, Irish harp workshop and lunchtime recital with renowned harper, Tríóna Marshall, and local harp ensemble, Cruitirí Loch Garman led by Aileen Kennedy.

Tríona Marshall has played with The Chieftains since 2003, performing at festivals and concert halls around the world and in the USA, Japan, China and Australia. She has recorded extensively with The Chieftains and was principal harpist with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, having completed her studies at the London’s Royal College of Music and the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Den Haag. In 2013, along with The Chieftains, Triona was awarded an honorary doctorate from Dublin Institute of Technology in recognition of her contribution to Irish music.

Cruitirí Loch Garman - Wexford Harp Ensemble directed by Aileen Kennedy, are based in Co. Wexford consists of over 20 harp players who play and sing all types of music and songs at events both locally and internationally. Aileen, a former member of the Belfast Harp Orchestra, has enjoyed success at many harp festivals over the years, winning the Nobber, Granard and Keadue festivals and some of her compositions are held in the National Library of Wales.

Hands on Harps Session: 11am-12.30pm

In a fun and interactive harp workshop, our harpers will share the story of the harp; its history in ancient Ireland, what it’s made from and its importance as our national symbol. Suitable for all members of the family - you only need to bring yourself and might even get to try out the harp!

Lunchtime harp recital with Tríona Marshall & Cruitirí Loch Garman: 1-2pm

(€10/€8)

Join Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland and Music for Wexford in St Iberius Church to hear one of Ireland’s foremost harpers, Tríona Marshall, perform a concert celebrating our national instrument. We are delighted that Tríona will be joined by the Wexford Harp

Ensemble - Cruitirí Loch Garman, directed by Aileen Kennedy as part of Music for Wexford’s “side by side” initiative, giving amateur musicians the opportunity to perform alongside professionals.

Irish harp workshop with Tríona Marshall: 3-5pm

Level: Intermediate - Advanced

Learn from one of Ireland’s most renowned harpers in this interactive workshop. Hear and learn harp music from a renowned harper who has performed and recorded with some of the finest musicians in the world.

Registration is required

Please note that there is no charge for our workshops. However, we would welcome donations to help us cover our costs to support the next generation of harpers. Your help goes a long way as we work to develop and promote harping nationally and internationally. Thank you.

Mairéad Hickey’s remarkable Pirosmani Quartet as part of their second Irish tour by popular request, bringing together four stars of the international chamber music circuit.

They open with Mozart’s charming D major Quartet K.575, the first of his three quartets written for the cellist King of Prussia. Alongside her stellar career as a classical violinist, Mairéad has also won eight world Irish fiddle titles and there could be no-one better to present Dave Flynn’s stunning trad-classical crossover quartet, The Cranning. Dvořák’s G major quartet is one of his most joyful and memorable works, sure to leave you singing all the way home.

Mairead Hickey, violin

William Hagen, violin

Natanael Ferreira, viola

Aleksey Shadrin, cello

PROGRAMME
Mozart - String Quartet in D major K.575 [1789]
Dave Flynn - The Cranning [2005]
Dvořák - String Quartet in G major Op.106 [1895]

Two short concerts at 7pm and 8pm, curated by members of the Music for Wexford Junior Committee.

Featuring young musicians from Co. Wexford:

Ciara Breen- Soprano

Hannah Devereux- Soprano

Eve Donohoe - Violin

Dean Glynn- Guitar

Tali Shafar- Piano

Entrance is free

Chopin’s Etude Op. 10 No. 1. Tali Shafar Piano

Rameau’s Gavotte et six doubles Tali Shafar Piano

Pujol’s Prelude from Suite de Plata Dean Glynn Guitar

John Williams - Cavatina Dean Glynn Guitar and Eve Donohoe Violin

Dean Glynn ⁠Solo composition

Faure’s Apres in reve hannah Devereux Soprano and Tali Shafar Piano

Dvorak’s Songs My mother Taught me Tali Shafar Piano, Hannah Devereux Soprano and Eve Donohoe Violin

Delibes’ The flower duet Hannah Devereux and Ciara Breen Soprano with Tali Shafar Piano

Beethoven’s violin sonata No.5 1st movement Eve Donohoe Violin and Tali Shafar Piano

La vie en rose Everyone

Supported by County Wexford Arts Department

We are delighted to announce that the 2024 Bursary winner is Hannah Devereux.

She will be joined by Pianist Rebecca Warren.

Made annually in support of the development of talented young musicians from County Wexford, in memory of long time committee member Betty O’Brien.

Hannah Devereux is a 20 year old classical soprano from Wexford. She is currently a second year undergraduate student at the Royal Birmingham conservatoire under the tutelage of Jonathon Gunthorpe. Hannah was surrounded by musical theatre growing up and took part in many shows with local societies, most recently when she played Isabel/Mabel understudy in Wexford Light Opera Society’s production of Pirates of Penzance. She started singing lessons with Aileen Donohoe at the age of 12 with whom she completed her ABRSM exams up to Grade 8. She also attended the Corish Wallace Performing Arts school from a young age. She has found success in competitions like the AIMS choral festival in Wexford and Feisceoil in Dublin. In 2022, Hannah was awarded the Junior Vocal Rosebowl from Feisceoil which she accepted at their Gala in the National Concert Hall. Since moving to the UK in 2022, Hannah has reached the finals of the Winifred Micklam competition in Birmingham and the Junior Kathleen Ferrier awards in Manchester. Following the Sondheim festival in Kilkenny which she took part in last year, Hannah has recently played Rapunzel in Into the Woods and The Wife in Putting it Together in Birmingham and Leeds. Within her conservatoire, Hannah has played the role of Valetto in Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea in RBC’s Opera scenes, the evil stepsister Dorothée in Massenet’s Cendrillon in the Spring Opera and she is looking forward to being in the chorus for their Summer opera, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. Hannah has worked with some amazing Irish vocal tutors like Mary Brennan and Brian Macnamee and composers like Andrew Synnott

Soo-Jung Ann has had great success at international piano competitions, receiving first prize at the International Telekom Beethoven Competition in Bonn in 2013, the Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Prize of the Piano Academy in Eppan in 2013, first prize at the Maria Canals International Music Competition, Barcelona in 2012, fourth prize at the Hong Kong International Piano Competition in 2011, third prize at the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition in 2009 and sixth prize at the Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in 2009.

She has performed widely and appeared as a concerto soloist with the Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra, the Gunpo Prime Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rzeszow Philharmonic Orchestra, the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, the Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vallès Symphony Orchestra, the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra, the Korean Symphony Orchestra, the Granada Symphony Orchestra, the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra and the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Programme includes:

Schumann Kinderszenen Op. 15 

Chopin Sonata No. 3

The second of two lunchtime concerts by students from the RIAM.

Pianist Aurelie Climbe and Baritone David Kennedy

Songs by Schubert, Boulanger and Stanford

These concerts will be devoted to groups from RIAM’s third level programmes (BMus, MMus, DipMus, Recital Artist Diploma) consisting of students training at the RIAM for careers as professional musicians. RIAM has over 30 chamber music groups studying on third level programmes, many of whom aspire for chamber music to be a viable career option. A special selection process is linked to RIAM's chamber music exams, from which, outstanding groups are selected for the Music for Wexford recital opportunities, offering a professional platform for pre-professional chamber musicians.

The first of two lunchtime concerts by students from the RIAM features the Banshees Brass Ensemble.

Programme:

Contrapunctus IX from the Art of the Fugue - J.S Bach (4 mins) 

1. Stardust - Hoagy Carmichael (4 mins)

2. Quintet No. 1 - Victor Ewald (13 mins)

3. Selections from West Side Story (10 mins)

4. Vuelta del Fuego - Kevin McKee (8 mins)

These concerts will be devoted to groups from RIAM’s third level programmes (BMus, MMus, DipMus, Recital Artist Diploma) consisting of students training at the RIAM for careers as professional musicians. RIAM has over 30 chamber music groups studying on third level programmes, many of whom aspire for chamber music to be a viable career option. A special selection process is linked to RIAM's chamber music exams, from which, outstanding groups are selected for the Music for Wexford recital opportunities, offering a professional platform for pre-professional chamber musicians.

Folk and Fairytale

Kelli-Ann Masterson – Soprano

Conor McCarthy – Pianist

Aria: Le fee’s aria from Cendrillon (Viardot)                                                                          

 Lieder:

We hat dies Liedlein erdacht (Mahler)                                                                                        

Die Lorelei (Liszt)                                                                                                                               

 Aria: Song to the Moon from Rusalka (Dvorak)                                                                   

 Yeats in song:

1.      Salley Gardens (Clarke)                                                                                                  

2.     Cloths of Heaven (Dunhill)                                                                                         

3.     Lake Isle of Innisfree (Lehmann)                                                                                

 Aria: Vilia from The Merry Widow (Lehar)                                                                      

Le filles de Cadix (Delibes)                                                                                                             

 INTERVAL 

Aria: I flew high in my dreams from Alice in Wonderland (Todd)

The Fairy Tailor – Michael Head

The Gartan Mother’s Lullaby - arr. Herbert Hughes

Piano Solo: Woodbrook (Ó Súilleabháin)

She moved through the Fair - Trad

Avenging and Bright arr. Britten

Silent Oh Moyle arr. Beethoven

Piano Solo: Beauty and the Beast prologue – Alan Menken

Feed the Birds – Sherman & Sherman

Popular – Stephen Schwarz

Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Harold Arlen                                                                                                                            

Kelli-Ann Masterson is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin (BMus.Ed.) and TU Dublin, formerly DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama (MMus). Kelli-Ann is an alumna of both the ABL aviation Irish National Opera studio 2019-2021 and Northern Ireland opera studio 2018-2019.  Kelli-Ann is a current Cara O Sullivan Associate Artist for Cork Opera House.

2023 engagements include: Norina in Don Pasquale for Irish National Opera, Sharon Graham in Masterclass by Terence McNally for Smock Alley Theatre, Elsie Maynard in The Yeomen of the Guard with the National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company at the Buxton International Festival, Pamina in Die Zauberflote for Cork Opera House and Elena in the world premiere of Elena e Gerardo for Random Opera Company in Rugby, Warwickshire.

Notable opera engagements include: Semele in Handel’s Semele (Best Opera Irish Times Theatre Awards 2022); Vespetta in Telemann’s Pimpinone and Duchess/Bottle in Todd’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland for Opera Collective Ireland; Marzelline in Beethoven’s Fidelio and soloist in Ghost Apples for Irish National Opera; Amor in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice at the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, and La Fée in Viardot’s Cendrillon at Wexford Festival Opera.

Her numerous concert engagements include Handel’s Messiah at the National Concert Hall with the RTE Concert Orchestra and her recent debut with the National Symphony Orchestra as a soloist in their 2023 summer concert, which was broadcast live on RTE Lyric FM.

Kelli-Ann is the current Bernadette Greecy Bursary recipient from NCH, she was a finalist in the 2022 BA Lirica International Voice Competition, Italy, winner of the Dramatic Cup at Feis Ceoil and both the PwC bursary for an emerging Irish artist and the Liam Healy bursary at Wexford Festival Opera.

Conor McCarthy is a Limerick-born pianist and musical director based in Wexford, Ireland. Conor holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree (B.Mus.Ed) from both Trinity College Dublin and DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama as well as holding Diplomas in Piano Performance with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) and the London College of Music (ALCM).

Conor is heavily involved in musical theatre and actively works as a musical director and pit musician with many musical societies and schools across the south-east area. Conor is currently musical director with Gorey Musical Society, Carnew Musical Society and North Wexford Musical Theatre.

In 2022 Conor was an AIMS nominee for best musical director for Gorey Musical Society’s production of West Side Story.

Conor co-founded the group North Wexford Musical Theatre. They were delighted to be one of the first companies to stage a production in front of a live audience after the pandemic, earning an AIMS special adjudicator award for their production of [Title of Show].

Programme

Beethoven: Sonata in F major, Op. 5, No. 1
i. Adagio Sostenuto - Allegro
ii. Rondo. Allegro vivace

McDonagh: Valentia

Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73

Interval

McDonagh: Skellig

Beethoven: Sonata in A major, Op. 69
i. Allegro ma non tanto
ii. Scherzo. Allegro molto
iii. Adagio cantabile - Allegro vivace

"I found myself listening with ever increasing pleasure to the playing of McDonagh and O'Conor and to the richness of the recorded sound that captures them so well ... McDonagh plays with flawless technique, faultless intonation, and a strong yet meltingly sweet tone."

Fanfare Magazine

"McDonagh and O'Conor take the opening of Op. 102/1 to whispered heights, and again later there is a most appealing sense of two-as-one. They find buoyant, almost dancing, rhythms."

Classical Explorer

7.30pm concert (doors 7pm) In association with Springmoves Dance Festival

All tickets €10 button below (or buy on door)

The Sky and The Ground

Roo Geddes and Neil Sutcliffe combine their shared experience across Classical, Folk and Jazz to create original music for violin and accordion. Based in Glasgow, they explore the ways in which music can evoke senses of place and community.

After a chance meeting on a beach in the northwest of Scotland, aged 13, the pair started to collaborate at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Almost a decade later, the duo released their debut album ‘Homelands’, showcasing original compositions inspired by the people and places that create a feeling of ‘home’. In 2020 during the first Covid-19 lockdown, some of this collection was selected as winner of Fèis Rois’ “In Tune with Nature” competition. The following year, the duo was awarded the prestigious ‘Danny Kyle Award’ from the Celtic Connections Festival. They now perform their original music regularly around the UK, as well as working closely with the charity Live Music Now Scotland.

“Roo and Neil explore a musical landscape of such variety with such skill, it's a privilege to be taken with them on their musical journey. They occupy that rare position where they can go in any direction they choose. They have a deep love and understanding for traditional music, coupled with an awareness of the world they find themselves in with all of its colours, tastes and sounds to explore. They bring a musical sincerity to their music which is the most valuable ingredient and as a result, with respect and courage they forge their own route through a musical landscape of endless possibilities. Their individual skills are supreme, and they are able to express rich and articulate nuance at any level. I find myself imagining their journey ahead and with the potential they have, I just can't wait to hear them play next.“ -Greg Lawson 2021

Irish Chamber Orchestra 

Carolin Widmann Violin/ Director

Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Serenade No.13 for strings, G major, K.525 

J.S. Bach Violin Concerto No.1, BWV 1041, A minor 

Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence, Op. 70 

Enjoy three iconic masterworks from the baroque, classical and romantic catalogues, performed and directed by the effervescent violinist, Carolin Widmann.  Find out why we love performing Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik, one of the best loved and legendary of serenades.  To hear J.S. Bach’s A minor Violin Concerto is to hear a genius at work. One of the all-time great concertos, be amazed as at this show-off work full of fantastic, magical melodies. Tchaikovsky adored Florence.  Feel the love and joy as you walk the streets and delve into his sparkling Souvenir de Florence.

A fantastic opportunity to see and hear this Internationally renowned orchestra right here in Wexford Town!

Irish Chamber Orchestra is Ireland’s most dynamic ensemble. Mixing traditional repertoire with new commissions and collaborating with everyone from DJs to dance companies, ICO pushes the boundaries of what a chamber orchestra can do. These days, you are as likely to find us at the Electric Picnic as Mozartfest, but wherever we perform, the ICO delivers world-class concerts feted for their energy and style. Each year, Ireland’s busiest chamber ensemble presents concert seasons in Limerick and Dublin, embarks on two national tours, and makes a series of prestigious international appearances supported by Culture Ireland.

Celebrated Austrian Violinist Thomas Zehetmair was appointed Principal Conductor/Artistic Partner in May 2022 for a three year term. Zehetmair’s enthusiasm and commitment is matched by the orchestra itself, led by the ebullient Katherine Hunka, and comprises of 22 outstanding musicians. ICO’s special rapport, forged by over 20 years of playing – and sometimes singing! – together, creates the unique sound that has captivated audiences all over the world.

At the heart of this vision is the belief that music is for everyone. ICO has implemented an ambitious and far-reaching strategy that aims to take music out of the concert hall and into the local community, inspiring children to try music for themselves, and supporting them on their journey from first lesson to public performance. Our ground-breaking initiative, Sing Out with Strings (SOWS), offers primary school children in Limerick the chance to learn free music. Now in its fifteenth year, the project has been hailed as a model of social inclusion, offering opportunities for young people, developing key life skills, and providing tangible long-term benefits for participants, their families, and the wider community. ICO is orchestra-in[1]residence at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick and is funded by The Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

Mendelssohn Quartet Op.12

Moeran Quartet in E flat

Charlotte Harding Iorsa

Dvorak Quartet Op.96 "American"

The distinguished Piatti Quartet are widely renowned for their ‘profound music making’ (The Strad) and their ‘lyrical warmth’ (BBC Music Magazine). Since their prizewinning performances at the 2015 Wigmore Hall String Quartet Competition, they have performed all over the world and made international broadcasts from many countries.

The Piattis are famed for their diverse programming and for passionate interpretations across the spectrum of quartet writing, and have commissioned and recorded some of the most major and impressive works added to the quartet canon in recent years.

Since their inception they have always had projects in the recording studio with critically acclaimed releases through Linn, Somm, Champs Hill, Hyperion, Delphian, Nimbus and NMC record labels. Their wide ranging discography and repertoire is thanks to their enthusiasm and curiosity in collaborating with a broad range of artists including some of the most recognisable names in classical music such as Nicky Spence, Julius Drake, Michael Collins, Barry Douglas, Janina Fialkowska, Melvyn Tan, Ian Bostridge, Katherine Broderick, Adam Walker, Simon Callaghan and the Belcea Quartet. Accolades in 2023 include Gramophone’s ‘Editor’s Choice for the Month’ with NMC, a five star review from BBC Music Magazine with Delphian and in 2022 they were nominated for ‘Recording of the Year’ with both Limelight and Gramophone for their collaborative disc on the Hyperion label.

Contemporary music has been ever present in their repertoire and leaving a legacy to the quartet genre through commissions is one of the quartet’s central tenets. Major commissions and dedications have stemmed from Mark-Anthony Turnage, Emily Howard, Charlotte Harding, and Joseph Phibbs whilst they have premiered a mesmerising number of new works over the years beginning with Anna Meredith back in 2009. The Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Flagey Radio Hall Brussels, Wigmore Hall London, and the Aldeburgh Festival are some of the high profile occasions where new music has been presented and recordings of Turnage’s quartets 1-4 and Gavin Higgins’ chamber music has also been extensively lauded by critics.

Historical research into quartet music that has been undiscovered or deserves to be better known has led to the premiere recording of Ina Boyle’s (Ireland) SQ in E minor, and performances of lesser known quartet gems by Ralph Vaughan Williams, E.J. Moeran, Rachmaninov, Ireland, Haas, Ulmann, and Durosoir.

The quartet’s name is dedicated to Alfredo Piatti, a 19th Century virtuoso cellist who was a professor at the Royal Academy of Music (the alma mater of the founder’s of the quartet) and also a major exponent of chamber music and contemporary music of his time.

Inish is the new album by singer and cellist Naomi Berrill, produced and published by Casa Musicale Sonzogno.

Preceded by the single Sea Warrior, dedicated to the figure of the Irish pirate Grace O' Malley, this new fourth album tells of the life of Inishark and Inishbofin, two islands located off the west coast of Ireland. A cycle of stories, real or fictional, which rise to myth from the everyday life from which they come to life. Deities, animals, or simple fishermen, are the protagonists of the ten tracks that make up the album; ten songs between the sea and the land, where the events and feelings narrated belong to a microcosm of which we are all actors and spectators.

Inish is, in fact, the musical narration of the beauty of these islands, of the strength and courage of their inhabitants, but also of the harshness of the life of the fishing community. Through sound, Naomi Berrill sings of courage, adventure, love and light, intertwined with loneliness, danger, adversity, loss and extreme pain.

Inish also marks the beginning of the new collaboration between Berrill and the producer and musician Lorenzo Pellegrini, together with the drummer and multi-instrumentalist Andrea Beninati. The trio, a new dimension for the Irish musician, gives life to a contemporary sound, decisive and fluid at the same time, with elements of folk, jazz and classical music.

It's difficult to place Naomi's vocals in a specific place. The grace and lightness with which she expresses herself, together with the colors and sounds of the instruments, manage to convey the power of a story, a face or a feeling.

Naomi Berrill is an Irish cellist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, author and singer who has lived in Florence for several years. After completing her classical studies in Scotland, Switzerland and Italy, she began to experiment with the use of the instrument as an accompaniment to the voice, composing and arranging new pieces in which improvisation also takes place.

In 2021, Fretwork celebrated its 35th anniversary. In these last three and a half decades, they have explored the core repertory of great English consort music, from Taverner to Purcell, and made classic recordings against which others are judged.

In addition to this, Fretwork have become known as pioneers of contemporary music for viols, having commissioned nearly 50 new works. The list of composers is like the role call of the most prominent writers of our time: George Benjamin, Michael Nyman, Sir John Tavener, Gavin Bryars, Elvis Costello, Alexander Goehr, John Woolrich, Orlando Gough, Fabrice Fitch, Peter Sculthorpe, Sally Beamish, Tan Dun, Barry Guy, Andrew Keeling, Thea Musgrave, Simon Bainbridge, Poul Ruders, John Joubert, Duncan Druce & Nico Muhly.

In 2010 they also curated a week-long concert series of concerts at Kings Place which culminated in the world premier of ‘The World Encompassed’ by Orlando Gough, a 70-minute piece describing in musical terms Drake’s circumnavigation of the globe in 1577-80.

In 2011, The National Centre for Early Music, in collaboration with the BBC, hosted a competition for young composers to create a four-minute piece for Fretwork. They workshopped the shortlisted pieces at the NCEM in York in October, and then the winning entries were premiered in Kings Place in December 2011. In 2014 they concentrated on the music of John Dowland with a major tour of the UK with one of todays greatest tenors: Ian Bostridge. They also spent a week in the Britten Studio in Aldeburgh re-working Orlando Gough’s ‘The World Encompassed’, to incorporate a spoken narrative drawn from contemporary accounts.

‘Slow: an In Nomine” by Nico Muhly was premiered in 2015 at Kings Place in London, and they collaborated with celebrated actor Simon Callow in the revised version of The World Encompassed and recorded it for Signum Classics.

This concert will feature music by: Bach, Debussy, Byrd, Arvo Part, Purcell, Dave Brubeck and Kate Bush!

Belfast-born Michael McHale has established himself as one of Ireland’s leading pianists and has developed a busy international career as a solo recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician.

He has performed and recorded as a soloist with the Minnesota and Hallé Orchestras, the Moscow, Bournemouth, Jacksonville, Fort Smith, BBC and London Symphony Orchestras, City of London Sinfonia, London Mozart Players and all five of the major Irish orchestras, and performed at the Tanglewood, BBC Proms and Tokyo Spring Festivals, Barbican and Wigmore Hall, London, Berlin Konzerthaus, Lincoln Center, New York, Symphony Hall, Boston and Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.

Michael’s début solo album The Irish Piano was released in 2012 by RTÉ lyric fm and selected as ‘CD of the Week’ by the critic Norman Lebrecht. More recent solo releases include Schubert: Four Impromptus on Ergodos, Irish Piano Concertos on RTÉ lyric fm, Miniatures and Modulations on Grand Piano and the Strauss 'Burleske' on Chandos. His discography of over twenty-five albums includes releases on Delos, Nimbus Alliance, Champs Hill, and eight duo recital albums on Chandos with clarinettist Michael Collins. The début album of the McGill/McHale Trio Portraits on Cedille featuring special narrations by Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali was released in 2017 and immediately entered the Top 25 US Billboard Classical Chart. Releases in 2020 included a recording of Richard Rodney Bennett's Piano Concerto with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor John Wilson for Chandos.

Programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata in C minor op.13 “Pathetique” (20’)

John Field: Nocturne No.5 in B flat major (3’)

Fryderyk Chopin: Nocturne in E flat major op.9 no.2 (4’)

Sergei Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet Suite op.75 (12’)

iv. The Young Juliet

vi. The Montagues and the Capulets

vii. Father Lorenzo

viii. Mercutio

- interval -

Franz Schubert: Impromptu op.90 no.4 (7’30”)

Three love songs arranged for solo piano:

Augusta Holmès: Evocation d’Amour (4’)

Clara Schumann: Sie Liebten Sich Beide op.13 no.2 (2’)

Liszt/Schumann: Liebeslied S.566 “Widmung” (4’)

Philip Hammond: …this hour of quiet… (4’30”)

Missy Mazzoli: Heartbreaker (5’)

Franz Liszt: Ballade No.2 (14’)

Music for Wexford present a special evening of music for Culture Night

with two concerts at 7pm and 8pm (duration approx 20 minutes)

St Iberius Church

Introducing young musicians from the Music for Wexford Junior Committee

Eve Donohoe Violin (17), Dean Glynn Guitar (18)

Florence Donohoe Flute (16) Gracie Cunningham Piano (16) and Declan Murphy Piano (23)

with Music by Debussy, Beethoven, Bach, Shostakovich, Mascagni and a selection of trad music.

Free Entry, no ticket required

Shostakovich Quartet 1

Donnacha Dennehy Pushpulling

Peter Gregson Three Parallels (Irish premiere)

Beethoven Op.59 No.2

An internationally renowned Anglo-Irish string quartet based in the UK, the versatile and award-winning Carducci String Quartet has performed everything from brand new quartets, classic works by Haydn, complete Shostakovich cycles, and even partnered with folk-rock icon Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull. Founded in 1997, the ensemble has won numerous international competitions, including Concert Artists Guild International Competition USA 2007 and First Prize at Finland’s Kuhmo International Chamber Music Competition 2004. In 2016, they took home a Royal Philharmonic Society Award for their performances of cycles of the complete Shostakovich Quartets. This Shostakovich15 project was accompanied by a recording of quartets 4, 8 and 11 for Signum Classics, to which the quartet added a further volume in spring 2019 (1,2 and 7) acclaimed by Gramophone Magazine for its “…athletic, upfront performances, clear in texture, forthright in tone and bold in articulation.” The quartet has released a bevy of acclaimed recordings on their own label, Carducci Classics, as well as Signum Classics, and their Naxos recordings of Philip Glass Quartets have had over six million plays on Spotify.

Described by The Strad as presenting “a masterclass in unanimity of musical purpose, in which severity could melt seamlessly into charm, and drama into geniality″, the Carducci Quartet is recognised as one of today’s most successful string quartets. Performing over 90 concerts worldwide each year the quartet also run an annual Carducci festival in Highnam, Gloucester and are quartet in residence at Dean Close in Cheltenham, where they teach young string players and coach chamber music.

The Carducci Quartet appear at prestigious venues across the globe including the Wigmore Hall, London; National Concert Hall, Dublin; Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen; The Frick Collection and Carnegie Hall, New York; Library of Congress and John. F Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.; St Lawrence Center for the Arts, Toronto; and Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. Festival residencies include Cheltenham, Ryedale, Lichfield, Presteigne, Kilkenny, Snape Proms, and West Cork.

Supported by the National String Quartet Foundation

This is the inaugural prize-winners concert for the Betty O’Brien award. This year the recipient is Wexford violinist Eve Donohoe.

Violin Sonata No.3 in D Minor, Op.108 - Brahms

Schindler's List - Williams

Banjo and Fiddle - Kroll

Backstage Antics - Ailbhe McDonagh

Irish Traditional Piece

Zigeunerweisen - Sarasate

Eve Donohoe is a 17 year old violinist from Wexford. She began her musical education at the age of nine with Emily Redmond, and currently studies with renowned violinist Lynda O'Connor. Eve's musical virtuosity is widely celebrated. She is a multiple prizewinner at the prestigious Feis Ceoil competitions, having been awarded the 'National Vocal Rosebowl' last September in the National Concert Hall. Along with her sister and cousin, she was awarded 1st place in the Family Ensemble competition at the Feis Ceoil in 2022. Additionally, she was awarded first prize on violin in the "Nouvelles Étoiles" International competition last year. She has received a High Achievement award from the R.I.A.M for outstanding performance. Eve has enjoyed performing with many of Ireland’s leading classical musicians and was invited to perform with Musici Ireland for their 'Side by Side' initiative last July. As a versatile musician, Eve also plays traditional music with Bannow CCÉ and is a 3 time All Ireland champion at Fleadh Ceoil na hÉireann. More recently, she appeared on the Late Late Toy Show with her grandmother, as a member of "Cuckoo's Nest". She is accompanied by Dearbhla Brosnan.

TICKETS AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR.

Lili Boulanger - D‘un Matin de Printemps

Debussy - Violin Sonata in G minor

Prokofiev - Five melodies for Violin and Piano  op. 35b

Szymanowski - Danse Paysanne de ‘Harnasie’

Ravel - Tzigane 

Hailed as "a major talent" after her Carnegie Hall debut with Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto, Irish pianist Ellen Jansson is quickly establishing herself as one of Ireland’s most versatile and exciting young musicians. As a student of Mary Beattie, she graduated from CSM as Taught MA Student-of-the-Year 2020. She also studied with Martin Hughes at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and is a past pupil of the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, where she was the winner of the Chetham’s Yamaha Piano Competition.

Ellen has appeared as soloist with the New York Concerti Sinfonietta, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Esker Festival Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and CSM Symphony Orchestra. She has performed in many prominent Irish venues as well as abroad in Carnegie Hall (New York), Alexela Concert Hall (Tallinn), and the Ukrainian Radio Concert Hall (Kyiv).

Dominika Witowicz was born in Rzeszów, Poland. She completed her violin studies with a masters degree at the Cracow Academy in the class of Professor Wiesław Kwaśny, concertmaster of the Varsovi Symphony Orchestra. She is currently studying at the Music and Art University of the City of Vienna in the class of Professor Dominika Falger. She is the winner of many competitions such as the International Music Competition Malta, Copenhagen, Berlin, Sogliano al Rubicone, Prague and Fidelio Competition, among others. She performed solo with the Philharmonie in Rzeszów with the Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto Op.5. She took part in music courses such as the Summer Music Academy with the Scharoun Ensemble of the Berlin Philharmonic, the Music Festival & Master Course Piła with Bartłomiej Nizioł and a master course with the Kronos Quartet.She is a member of the Vienna Classical Players and the Wiener Concertverein. She has also worked with orchestras such as the Krakow Philharmonic, the National Forum for Music in Wroclaw, the Concertgebouw Orchestra and the RCO Side by Side project.

Please note, the original violinist Jane Hackett has had to withdraw due to illness. We wish her a speedy recovery. This is a change from the originally advertised programme

Music for Wexford are happy to host a concert given by Exeter Cathedral Choir, with Tim Noon Music Director (previous Sub-Organist at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin) and James Anderson-Bessant, organ, as part of their 2023 tour of Ireland. The concert will include choral classics from Byrd, Händel and Rutter, and will feature Wexford Tenor Eamonn Mulhall.

Described by Classic FM as “one of the country’s finest choirs,” Exeter Cathedral Choir leads around eight services each week during term time, maintaining a tradition that has been largely unbroken for centuries. It also has a busy programme of other engagements, which often includes tours (most recently to Austria and Slovakia), concerts, recordings and radio broadcasts. Recent engagements include Bach St John Passion (with Charivari Agréable), and Bernstein Chichester Psalms. The choir’s sell-out performances of Handel’s Messiah and Bach B Minor Mass were ecstatically received.

There are up to 18 boy Choristers and up to 18 girl Choristers in Exeter Cathedral Choir, including a small number of Probationers (learner Choristers). They enjoy the most remarkable, fulfilling and rewarding musical training, alongside a broad and balanced all-round education at Exeter Cathedral School. For boys and girls who love singing, a Choristership is a very special opportunity to develop all-round musical talent in the context of service in the Cathedral.

The 2nd of our lunchtime concerts featuring talented young musicians from the RIAM

We continue our tradition of offering talented chamber ensembles of young musicians from the RIAM the opportunity to perform.

The ensembles are selected by audition in the summer term

Trio Cantare was formed in 2021 by members Cahal Masterson, Piano, Gemma Ní Bhriain, Mezzo-Soprano, and Yseult Cooper Stockdale, Cellist.

Together they have performed at Drogheda Classical Music and Belfast International Arts Festival and have been broadcast live on Lyric FM. Individually they enjoy diverse careers in Ireland and internationally, working with ensembles such as Irish National Opera, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Opera Northern Ireland, Welsh National Opera, Ulster Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra. As chamber and recital artists they have performed at festivals and series including Music for Galway, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Music for Wexford, Finding a Voice, and West Cork Music.

The three remained friends after graduating from the Royal Irish Academy of Music in 2014, and it was a love of chamber music and an interest in highlighting women composers that lead to the formation of the ensemble. They find the repertoire for their unique combination especially rewarding and they look forward to further exploring the natural pairing of cello and voice upon the piano’s rich harmonic canvas.

A beautiful concert of music for Piano, Cello and Mezzo-Soprano with works by Brahms, Schumann, Clarke, Massanet, Faure and Rachmaninoff

Music for Wexford are delighted to present this ensemble, formed especially for us, of 3 concert harpists.

Join Music for Wexford in St Iberius Church to hear three of Ireland’s most respected harpists: Richard Allen, Aisling Ennis and Dianne Marshall who will perform together in a concert celebrating this stunning instrument. We are delighted that they will be joined by the Wexford Harp Ensemble- Cruitirí Loch Garman as part of Music for Wexford’s “side by side” initiative, giving amateur musicians the opportunity to perform alongside professionals.

There will be the World Premiere of a Music for Wexford commissioned by Anne Marie-O'Farrell work for 3 harps.

The concert will also include:

Debussy Claire de Lune

Ravel Mother Goose Suite

Brahms Intermezzo in A

Chertok Around the Clock

Salzedo Chanson dans la nuit

Musici Ireland return to Music for Wexford for the World Premiere performance of a new concerto for viola and chamber ensemble by Kilmore composer Liam Bates. Famed for his Christmas musical Noel, a collaboration with Eoin Colfer, and Heroes of the Helen Blake, this promises to be a thrilling new work, commissioned by Beth McNinch in 2022.

Join us at 3pm for a conversation with Liam about the commissioning process, something he describes as ”a fascinating, challenging and humbling experience”.

Jessie Montgomery Strum

Mozart Flute Quartet in D

Ravel Introduction and Allegro

Interval

Glazanov Reverie Orientale

Bates Concerto: Soloist Beth McNinch

Leader: Ioana Petcu Colan , Lidia Jewloszewicz Clarke violin

Nick Rippon: Viola Niamh Molloy: Cello

Dianne Marshall: Harp Meadbh O’Rourke: Flute Conor Sheil: Clarinet Hannah Miller: Horn

About Musici Ireland:

Formed in 2012, Musici Ireland have performed hundreds of concerts across Ireland and have been broadcast around the world.

“Musici Ireland is rooted in creativity and exploration. We are a women led chamber ensemble who value deep audience connection and aim to create evocative wholesome performances in both traditional and explorative concert experiences. We offer education and artistic nourishment for our members and always stay curious about the industry we are in, the world and ways we can add our creative footprint. Our development as an ensemble has seen substantial growth over the past number of years. A significant jump in both numbers and creative output was seen during the World’s Global Pandemic, highlighting our determination, resilience and passion for what we do as an ensemble. We look forward to expanding our listenership abroad and developing lasting international connections.”

A beautiful evening of songs by Mahler, Stanford, Holst, Clarke, Bridge, Coleridge-Taylor, Vaughan-Williams, Maconchy and Dring

Fast becoming of the most sought-after voices on both the operatic stage and the concert platform Claire Barnett-Jones was a Finalist and Winner of the Dame Joan Sutherland Audience Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2021. Recent highlights include her role and company debuts as Fricka Die Walküre at the Tiroler Festspiele Erl in Austria, and as Madame Flora The Medium for Oper Frankfurt, singing the role of Dryad in concert performances of Ariadne auf Naxos at the Edinburgh International Festival, and her European concert debut at The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in Schumann’s Szenen aus Goethe’s Faust, conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

A sought-after collaborative pianist, Rebecca Cohen has appeared in recital alongside some of Britain's finest singers including Joan Rodgers CBE, Benedict Nelson, James Newby, Claire Barnett-Jones, Ema Nikolovska and Harriet Burns at venues including Wigmore Hall, Muziekgebouw Amsterdam, National Concert Hall Dublin, Mozarthaus Vienna, Blackheath Halls London and on BBC Radio 3. Awards include finalist in the Das Lied International Song Competition with soprano Nazan Fikret which featured in the BBC documentary ‘Becoming a Lied Singer: Thomas Quasthoff and the art of German Song’, the Lillian Ash French Song prize, the Paul Hamburger Prize for accompaniment awarded by Graham Johnson and the Viola Tunnard Scholarship as a former Britten Pears Artist.