For lovers of classical, operatic and chamber music, the 2017 Great Music in Irish Houses Festival will feature a line-up of 20 distinguished Irish and international artists who will perform in both historic and unconventional venues over six days from June 13th – 18th.

Festival-goers will enjoy the work of great composers including Brahms, Bach, Beethoven and Mozart in curious concert venues including the Airbnb International Hub in the heart of Dublin’s Docklands, Killruddery House, the National Botanical Gardens and the splendid Casino in Marino.

For 47 years, Ireland’s longest-running chamber music festival has been an integral part of Ireland’s cultural calendar, presenting the crème-de-la-crème of musicians and singers from home and abroad.

This year, the Festival devotes a day-long tribute to two Dublin musical luminaries who are celebrating landmark birthdays: Veronica (Ronnie) Dunne, the doyenne of musical life in Ireland who turns 90, and distinguished pianist Finghin Collins who marks his 40th birthday.

The final day of the festival will feature The Dublin Musical Saunter, a festival within a festival featuring performances from noon to night the highlight of which will be a concert by the acclaimed, mezzo-soprano superstar, Patricia Bardon.

With one free concert on the closing day of the festival, tickets are priced from €10-€50, so it should be a case of 6 days, 20 artists and one great festival.

Bookings & more info: greatmusicinirishhouses.com

2017 Great Music in Irish Houses Festival Programme

Tuesday, June 13th: Marc Coppey, cello at the Casino in Marino (SOLD OUT)

The distinguished French cellist will open the Festival with a programme featuring some of Bach’s Cello Suites, masterpieces regarded by many as the pinnacle of the repertoire for the instrument.

Wednesday, June 14th: Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, Dublin 2

The French duo of Antoine Tamestit (viola) and Cédric Tiberghien (piano) will make their Festival débuts performing pieces by Berg, Brahms and Vieuxtemps in this typical mid-eighteenth Dublin city centre house.

Thursday, June 15th: Killruddery House, Wicklow

Killruddery House is a favourite for Festival-goers who, this year, will enjoy works by Mozart and Beethoven and a musical entente cordiale between French, Irish and British performers, Cédric Tiberghien (piano), Matthew Manning (oboe), Macdara Ó Seireadáin (clarinet), Peter Whelan (bassoon) and Alec Frank-Gemmill (horn).

Friday, June 16th: National Botanic Gardens

One of the leading string quartets of its generation, Britain’s award-winning Heath Quartet returns to the Festival for a magical summer evening of music featuring the work of Haydn, Beethoven and Mendelssohn.

Saturday, June 17th: Airbnb International Hub (12 noon)

Audiences attending the Festival’s Saturday lunchtime concert will enjoy compelling works by Bartók and Shostakovich as we pay our first visit to an intriguing venue in Dublin’s Docklands, the Airbnb International Hub. A dazzling display of virtuosity guaranteed with a special Festival collaboration between the Heath Quartet and one of Ireland’s finest pianists, Hugh Tinney.

Saturday, June 17th: No 6 Kildare Street, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (8.00pm)

Internationally-acclaimed clarinettist Michael Collins returns to the Festival where he will join forces with the Carducci Quartet to perform Mozart’s sublime Clarinet Quintet. They will be joined for Beethoven’s charming and Septet by Alec Frank-Gemmill (horn), Peter Whelan (bassoon) and Dominic Dudley (double bass). Saturday evening’s concert will open with Philip Glass’ mesmerising Third String Quartet, Mishima.

Sunday, June 18th: The Dublin Musical Saunter, a mini Festival within the Festival: Theme: Musical Milestones

In 2017 the Festival’s Dublin Musical Saunter (a festival-within-a-festival) focuses on two living musical luminaries from Dublin, each celebrating a significant birthday this year. Music lovers will join us in saluting Veronica Dunne, the doyenne of musical life in Ireland at 90 and distinguished pianist Finghin Collins, who celebrates his 40th birthday. A third element here will be the Carducci Quartet, itself celebrating 20 years of thrilling music making.

Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, 12.00 Noon

In this free admission concert, pianist Dearbhla Collins will accompany a number of singers from Veronica Dunne’s current and past stable at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

The Coach House, Dublin Castle, 3.00 pm

The renowned Irish solo recitalist Finghin Collins marks his 40th birthday with the Carducci Quartet in Schumann’s exuberant Piano Quintet. In addition, the Quartet, celebrating its own 20th anniversary, performs Dvořák’s popular American Quartet.

The Coach House, Dublin Castle, 7.00pm

The closing Festival concert is a veritable Cruinniú Ceoil – a gathering of acclaimed Irish artists who will perform in honour of the indefatigable Ronnie Dunne. Mezzo superstar Patricia Bardon, a distinguished protégée of Ronnie’s, will join the gathering marking this landmark year. Other guests include sister and brother Dearbhla Collins and Finghin Collins who will accompany singers Rachel Croash, Gemma Ni Bhriain, Patrick Hyland and Rory Musgrave in another musical salute.