Drogheda Classical Music is back from September 2024 to April 2025 for what promises to be one of the most exciting seasons yet featuring some of the biggest names in classical music including Barry Douglas, Celine Byrne and BBC Cardiff Singer of the World prize-winner Claire Barnett-Jones.
The 2024/25 season will feature some the world’s most talented classical musicians such as pianist Barry Douglas and the Camerata Ireland orchestra, soprano Celine Byrne, violinist Priya Mitchell and the Con Tempo quartet.
Drogheda Classical Music will also partner with the Lú Festival of Light on 1 November for a supernatural journey through the streets of Drogheda entitled ‘Spirits and Spectres’ with author Dave Rudden, actor Gráinne Rafferty and the National String Quartet Foundation.
Artistic Administrator of Drogheda Classical Music, Dr Gavan Ring, says he is brimming with excitement at the prospect of announcing the new season. “I am so thrilled to be announcing my first, curated Drogheda Classical Music programme for the 2024/25 season” he said.
“There is so much packed into this season that I think audiences at our home of St Peter’s Church of Ireland are going to be raving with the sheer variety and breadth of what’s on offer!
“It’s a bit of a celebrity season too with Barry Douglas, Celine Byrne and, in an incredible series first, we will have a BBC Cardiff Singer of the World prize-winner.
“I am also delighted to say that, alongside our incredible season ticket offer of €130 for all eight series concerts, we have a number of new ticket options this year including U-18 tickets for just €8, student tickets for €10 and a family ticket for two adults and two children for €50.
“We will also be bringing back our refreshment interval receptions for every concert this season for our wonderful patrons. I know this was something that audiences loved about the series in the past so I’m delighted that we can bring it back this year.
“Our preconcert talks were also a big hit last season so I will be continuing to have those fantastic chats with the performers at 7pm before each concert!”
Drogheda Classical Music kicks off in style on 14 September with celebrated pianist Barry Douglas and the Camerata Ireland orchestra for a rousing programme of Mozart and Tchaikovsky while on 17 October, Irish prodigy pianist Fiachra Garvey joins the Ficino Ensemble for quintets by DvoÅ™ák and Shostakovich.
Following Drogheda Classical Music’s collaboration with Lú Festival of Light ‘Spirits and Spectres’ on 1 November (this will be a separately-ticketed event), violinist Priya Mitchell and series favourite Julius Drake join forces on 15 November for a programme including Schubert and Elgar before BBC Cardiff Singer of the World prize-winner and mezzo-soprano Claire Barnett-Jones sings us off for 2024 with a programme of art song, cabaret and one or two Christmas favourites.
2025 begins with a bang when Drogheda Classical Music welcomes Irish household name and famed soprano Celine Byrne for her series début along with pianist David Munro for an evening of opera and song on 24 January.
Drogheda’s rising star tenor Seán Tester – who is also this year’s Drogheda Classical Music Season Ambassador – also features as guest artist. Valentines night 2025 sees a welcome return of The Fidelio Trio for a sensual programme of Schubert and Schoenberg and on 28 March, the Con Tempo Quartet join forces with some of the country’s most renowned string players for a feast of octets by Mendelssohn and Enescu.
The series finale on 11 April will feature the long-awaited series début of Russian piano sensation Katya Apekisheva for a programme featuring Schumann and Tcahikovsky.
As ever, the series continues its long-standing broadcasting relationship with RTÉ Lyric FM where all concerts will be broadcast on the station on Liz Nolan’s The Full Score, so if you miss a concert, you can always catch up on RTÉ Lyric FM – where life sounds better!
All concerts take place at St Peter’s Church of Ireland in Drogheda and begin at 7:30PM with a preconcert talk at 7:00PM.
Drogheda Classical Music is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Louth County Council and run in partnership with Droichead Arts Centre with sponsorship from Whitelight Events and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.
Tickets for all concerts, including season tickets, are available at www.droichead.com
For more details see www.droghedaclassicalmusic.com
