Classical Notes Classical Notes: New Ross Piano Festival hits right notes – and all that jazzThe Wexford festival celebrating all things piano has expanded its offering to include jazz – and continues to attract some of the finest players in the world
Classical Notes The hotter the music, the Cooler it gets for Dublin jazz fans as MusicTown festival returnsThe funky and eclectic MusicTown festival is back, this time in one bespoke space within the Complex arts venue
Classical Notes How ‘Mr Charles the Hungarian’ beat Handel to it at time of Hallelujah premiereDublin’s annual HandelFest weekend on July 14-16 will be able to shed some light on the intriguing events and musical tumult surrounding the debut presentation of the composer’s most acclaimed work
Classical Notes Dublin ‘bustin’ out all over’ with a spell of great musicIt’s officially summer, and time to bask in the music of the various festivals coming up around the country, from chamber music to contemporary folk
Classical Notes INO brings Mozart’s most scandalous opera to major venuesCosì Fan Tutte has a saucy storyline involving partner-swapping and taking bets on women’s fidelity – and the Irish National Opera’s version with its star soloists promises to be stellar
Classical Notes There’s one for everyone in the audience at New Music Dublin festivalMay bank holiday will see a hugely diverse offering of concerts, tempting music lovers with a fantastic spectacle of indulgence
Classical Notes Blackwater opera festival back up and brimming with ambitionThe Blackwater Valley Opera Festival embraces 21 events at 12 venues over eight days beginning May 29, with more than 4,500 visitors expected to attend
Classical Notes Cork returns to its proud role as sing city with choral festivalThe rebel city’s legendary singing competition returns from April 26-30 with gala performances, competitions and free events across over 90 venues throughout the city and county
Classical Notes Feis Ceoil returns live and in person to its home in the RDS The 127-year-old festival, widely considered to be the best set up in Europe, brings choirs, orchestras and audiences together again, from March 20-31
Classical Notes Classical Notes: Women and War in Wexford, but Donizetti makes a comebackWexford Festival Opera’s ‘theming’ approach continues this autumn under new artistic director Rosetta Cucchi, with three of the chosen works outlined below
Classical Notes New Irish Chamber Orchestra chief begins with Mozart dazzler Sinfonia ConcertanteRecently appointed artistic director Thomas Zehetmair will perform both as conductor and violinist, with his wife Ruth Killius on viola, for one of the composer’s best-loved works
Classical Notes Mayo duo to create magical music in concert in new yearCellist Patrick Dexter and harpist Alannah Thornburgh will play music that they have written together for a live performance at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on February 4
Classical Notes Tickets to the stars light up the lives of all music loversGifting a precious ticket for a concert at Christmas gives the receiver something to look forward to in the new year – and saves them a packet
Classical Notes Iconic Quatuor Ébène puts stamp of quality on NCH series‘Supreme’ French string quartet to team up with Irish pianist Finghin Collins
Classical Notes Violinist Daimee Ng is top music schoolgirl of the yearSix students took part in the final of a competition that has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2001. The delighted winner said it had been ‘a fantastic night and a dream come true’
Classical Notes Dick O’Riordan: Magical moments abound as Irish stars shine bright at WexfordIrish talent shone through at this year’s largely spell-binding Wexford Festival Opera, conjuring stellar performances in three major productions
Classical Notes Dick O’Riordan: Galway leads €1m European Songs of Travel projectVenture aims to raise awareness of environmental concerns and highlight stories of migrants seeking a fresh start in their adopted countries
Classical Notes Dick O’Riordan: Gheorghiu wins hearts and minds at an ecstatic NCHRomanian diva Angela Gheorghiu ratcheted up excitement to a new level among the usually extremely measured and calm NCH audience
Classical Notes Dick O’Riordan: INO works up a gallop to deliver William Tell operaWilliam Tell, Rossini’s final masterpiece and rarely seen on stage, opens for five performances by the Irish National Opera (INO) at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, on November 8
