Opening the festival on Thursday 14 March, the Piatti Quartet are bringing their programme of ‘Hidden Gems’ with a stunning concert planned for Derry’s Christ Church. The prize-winning string quartet are famed for their passionate interpretations across the spectrum of quartet writing, and will perform an exquisite journey through diverse styles of music alongside Co-Artistic Directors of the Festival, Sabrina Hu (flute) and Cathal Breslin (piano).
Friday 15 March sees the return of the Ulster Orchestra to the Festival for a family-friendly Gala Variety Concert the whole family will love. Experience beloved music from film scores (Indiana Jones, Star Wars), timeless opera hits, and popular orchestral classics, all led by the wonderfully dynamic conductor David Brophy, in the iconic Guildhall venue. Experience the magic of orchestral music with guest performances by one of Ireland’s leading sopranos, Ailish Tynan, and Derry-born pianist Cathal Breslin.
Saturday 16 March sees an afternoon performance from the Sherman-Petcu Duo, comprising Nathan Sherman (viola) and Alex Petcu (percussion), performing newly commissioned compositions in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre Ireland and PRS Foundation’s Beyond Borders scheme. Featured composers include Derry-born Kevin O’Connell, award-winning Armagh composer Áine Mallon, internationally-acclaimed Ed Bennett, and the Swedish maestro Karen Rehnqvist, alongside an exciting recent work from Nick Roth and a world premiere from established Irish composer Benjamin Dwyer. This concert will also feature a pre-concert chat with some of the composers and the Director of CMC, Evonne Ferguson, meeting those who have created the music and exploring the inspiration for their works.
The music continues on Saturday 16 March with another concert, The Art of Song with Ailish Tynan and pianist Cathal Breslin, in the beautiful setting of the Great Hall, Ulster University Campus Magee, The former BBC Singer of the World has established herself as one of the foremost operatic singers and song recitalists across the British and Irish Isles, performing regularly with top orchestras, at festivals, and venues across the UK and Ireland. Concert goers can experience a sumptuous programme of Fauré, Schubert and Wolf, as well as a selection of traditional Irish folksongs on this St Patrick’s Day weekend recital.
Sunday 17 March sees a very special late afternoon St. Patrick’s Day concert celebrating Derry-born musical talent in Sons and Daughters of Derry, in Christ Church. The fifteenth Walled City Music Festival will come to a rousing finish as soprano Margaret Keys, tenor George Hutton, cellist Kim Vaughan, saxophonist Gerard McChrystal and Co-Artistic Director of the Festival, Cathal Breslin (piano) perform an eclectic and wide-ranging programme of Irish melodies, hits from musicals and popular classical works. Continue the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the gorgeous setting of Christ Church at 4.30pm.
For tickets and information visit walledcitymusic.com
