One of Ireland’s premier chamber music festivals, Westport Festival of Chamber Music has announced an exciting and dynamic programme to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year.
The programme was launched last week at the National Concert Hall in the presence of Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, Hildegarde Naughton, and Maureen Kennelly, director of the Arts Council.
Founded in 2013 by violinist Catherine Leonard, pianist Hugh Tinney and its then manager, Madeleine Flanagan, this boutique festival welcomes the finest of musicians from Ireland and around the world to the historic heritage town of Westport for a weekend of concerts, workshops, lectures and special events each September.
This landmark anniversary year promises to be no exception, with the festival bringing together artists from Ireland, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
The 2023 event 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.
“The festival is a very personal endeavour for me, each year, bringing together the highly accomplished friends with whom I have performed all over the world," Catherine Leonard, artistic director of the festival, said at the launch. "It is a unique chance for many of them to re-engage, musically, but also socially, over the week they spend rehearsing and performing in Westport, and we, the audience, get to enjoy the fruits of their labours."
Some highlights of the celebratory 10th anniversary event programmed by Catherine Leonard include:
• 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.
• 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.
Marking the festival's 10th anniversary, Minister Hildegarde Naughton said: “Since its inception in 2013, Westport Festival of Chamber Music has grown into a cultural event that is a unique and valued addition to the Westport cultural scene and calendar. As is the case with all successful festivals, the Westport Festival of Chamber Music is run by a dedicated team, ably assisted by an army of volunteers and generously supported by the local community, businesses, sponsors and donors. This festival is a model of what can be done with expertise, passion, drive, hard work and community support. It is something of which Westport, and indeed the whole of Ireland, can be enormously proud of.”
Festival manager Chris O’Malley added: “From its foundation in 2013, when the Westport Festival of Chamber Music welcomed seven musicians to perform at the inaugural event, it has grown into a highly anticipated cultural event that fits seamlessly into the Westport autumn. Collaboration is at the heart of our 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 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.
Booking for this year's festival is available through the Town Hall Theatre, phone 098 28459, and online at westporttownhall.ticketsolve.com and www.westportchambermusic.ie
