Celebrating the 10th anniversary of exceptional music-making in Mayo
The west will be well and truly awake with the sound of music this September as one of Ireland’s premier chamber music festivals, Westport Festival of Chamber Music, celebrates the 10th anniversary of exceptional music-making in the historic west Mayo heritage town.
This charming boutique festival welcomes the finest of musicians from Ireland and around the world for a weekend of concerts, workshops, lectures and special events each September, and this landmark anniversary year promises to be no exception with artists from Ireland, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom performing across the four-day event.
The exciting and dynamic 2023 programme, programmed by the festival’s artistic director Catherine Leonard, features some of the best-loved works in the history of chamber music, as well as lesser known gems, performed by outstanding Irish and international artists in a variety of locations across Westport, including the festival’s founding home, Westport House.
Some highlights of the celebratory 10th anniversary event include the following: the opening concert on September 8 in the splendour of its founding home, Westport House, featuring music by Chausson, Massenet, Schubert and Beethoven performed by a rich roster of artists invited to this year’s event; Messiaen’s evocative Quartet for the End of Time, written in a prisoner of war camp during World War II, performed by Chen Halevi (clarinet), Julius Drake (piano), Sophia Jaffé (violin) and Adrian Brendel (cello), and preceded by readings from poet Charlotte Leport on September 9; a vocal recital by Irish soprano Anna Devin, whose voice is consistently described as sumptuous, flexible, silvery-toned, crystal and spine-tingling; a number of performances by leading Irish pianist Hugh Tinney, one of the festival’s founders; and an ‘emerging artist’ concert by 15-year-old violinist Peter Ryan, who is currently a student at the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin School. He will be joined on the platform by his pianist brother, Liam.
In addition to its main events, the festival hosts a number of free admission concerts, workshops, lectures, pre-concert talks and a year-round schools programme.
Founded in 2013 by violinist Catherine Leonard, pianist Hugh Tinney and its then manager, Madeleine Flanagan, the Westport Festival of Chamber Music has grown into a highly anticipated cultural event that fits seamlessly into the Westport autumn. Collaboration is at the heart of the festival's work, with musicians, audience members, venues, organisers and local supporters sharing their passion for music in the heart of one of Ireland’s most picturesque and welcoming towns.
The Westport Festival of Chamber Music flourishes through the loyalty and support of its friends, private donors and sponsors. It is funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and receives the consistent support of Mayo County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Destination Westport, RTÉ Supporting the Arts and RTÉ lyric fm for the festival programme. For more information, see www.westportchambermusic.ie.