Birr Festival of Music 2023

MONDAY 1 MAY
May Bank
MASTERCLASSES Holiday
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre | 11.00am - 1.30pm | FREE
Weekend 2023
Observe the Trench Award finalists in vocal and piano
masterclasses given by Bruno Caproni and Julian
Evans. Open to all; music students and teachers are Incorporating The Trench Award, the aims of Birr Festival
of Music are; to expand the profile and enjoyment of
especially welcome.
classical music for all, support emerging musicians by
providing performance opportunities, valuable bursaries,
27 April -
Exploring The Planets
masterclasses and professional mentoring, support
children’s choral singing through Birr Young Voices and
1 May 2023
& Stars establish a Festival Community Choir. Incorporating
Church of Ireland, Oxmantown Mall
1.30pm | FREE
Niall Kinsella | Artistic Curator The
Inspired by the rich astrological heritage of Birr Castle &
Science Centre, children present songs, art and poetry
Pianist, conductor, art song
specialist and one of Ireland’s Trench
created over the past fourteen weeks. A collaboration
with Birr School of Music. Gregory Ward (choral
most sought-after accompanists.
For this, the 10th Anniversary Award
of The Trench Award, Niall has
director), Sophie Ward (accompanist) and Emma curated three concerts featuring
Behan (visual artist). Award recipients from the past
nine years.
Musical Time Travellers

Church of Ireland, Oxmantown Mall | 3pm | €14/12* Birr Festival of Music is immensely grateful
to The Trench Trust for its continued
Moving through centuries of and generous support.
composers to the present day and
including newly-commissioned
music by composer Claire Tickets: www.birrfestivalofmusic.com
Meehan, inspired by lines from
Box Office: (057) 91 22911
the poem, BIRR, by Rita Kelly: ‘This
*Booking fees will apply at time of purchase
place, this Birr, peopled by those
who still consider the stars’. Featuring
Festival Team: Maureen de Forge, Tommy Lyndon,
Arthur Greene (organ) Enda O’Connor, Emma Nee Haslam, Michelle de Forge,
and Kevin Meehan (violin). Anne O’Callaghan Rowan, Rachael Corboy & Brian Connolly.
PR/Marketing Manager | Rebecca Kelly.
Become a
Festival Patron Birr, Co. Offaly
Exclusive entry to Music in Birr Castle & more.
For more info | www.birrfestivalofmusic.com (057) 9122911 www.birrfestivalofmusic.com
THURSDAY 27 APRIL SATURDAY 29 APRIL SUNDAY 30 APRIL
Music For Life A Lunchtime Music in Birr Castle

For Festival Patrons & Sponsors | 3pm
St. Brendan’s Community School, Birr
Gallen Community School, Ferbane
of Song
The Chestnut Garden | 1pm In the historic Music Room of Birr
Coláiste Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac €16* (including light lunch) Castle, a celebration of music by
Senior music students gain an insight into what it means female composers including
A plethora of music from the worlds
to be a successful professional musician. Acclaimed Nadia & Lili Boulanger, Lisa
of movies, musicals and jazz - a concert that really has
baritone Bruno Caproni and concert pianist Julian Lehmann and Madeleine
something for everyone.
Evans present music and stories from their international Dring.
Featuring Heather Fogarty (mezzo-soprano),
careers. Past Trench Award recipients now developing Featuring Carolyn Holt,
Philip Keegan (tenor), Matthew Mannion (baritone)
their careers in concert, opera, orchestra and other Matthew Mannion, Martina
and Peter Regan (piano).
ensembles, will also give performances followed by Rosaria O’Connell, Ben
Q&A sessions. Gannon, Mollie Wrafter,
Aoibhin Keogh Daly, Aidan
AN ENCHANTED EVENING Chan and Niall Kinsella.
FRIDAY 28 APRIL Birr Theatre & Arts Centre | 8pm | €20/18*
Memories In Music
Birr Community Nursing Unit | 2pm THE TRENCH AWARD 2023
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre | 7.30pm | €18/€16*
Young musicians perform classic songs and melodies,
bringing musical memories to residents, day-care clients Six singers and musicians of the future each perform a
and staff. 15-minute programme of their choice. All are pursuing
professional careers in performance and were selected
by an international panel. Recipients of The Trench
OPENING NIGHT GALA Award, Birr Lions Club Bursary, the Canto Al Serchio
Prize (for voice), the Audrey Chisholm Award
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre | 8pm | €20/18*
(for instrument) will be announced. An Audience Choice
An exciting performance of quartets, trios, duets and solos and Musical Futures Bursary may also be awarded.
showcasing the immense talent of past Trench Award Internationally-acclaimed duo, Bruno Caproni and Julian
Accompanist | Dearbhla Brosnan
recipients. Including music by Mozart, Purcell, Massenet, Evans are joined by special guest soprano Sandra Oman,
Strauss. long considered one of the finest singers of her generation.
Featuring Sarah Brady (soprano), Carolyn Holt (mezzo- Featuring the music of Rossini, Verdi, Bizet, Liszt, Ravel, Lerner &
soprano), Martina Rosaria O’Connell (flute), Ben Loewe, Rodgers & Hammerstein. A great programme of popular
Gannon (oboe), Mollie Wrafter (violin), Philip Keegan operatic solos, duets, piano solos and beloved Broadway
(viola), Aoibhin Keogh Daly musicals.
(cello), Aidan Chan (piano)
and Peter Regan (piano). Classical buskers in cafés,
courtyards and on streets.
See Festival Social Media for times & locations.

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MONDAY 1 MAY

Musical Time Travellers

Music For Life A Lunchtime Music in Birr Castle

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