2022 Programme
Birr Festival of Music 2022 returned to full capacity and to its usual May Bank Holiday Weekend dates this year from Friday April 29 - Monday 2 May 202.
Our packed festival programme included some outstanding events, starting with the wonderful Irish Chamber Orchestra on Friday evening and concluding with the Irish and international virtuoso violinist Patrick Rafter in Birr Castle on Monday.
In between, there was a host of concerts, recitals, street buskers and masterclasses in various venues.
Exciting this year also was a newly-commissioned work for Birr Young Voices - Soundscapes of Nature - inspired by the natural world, created and animated by award-winning Birr artists, animator Finn Nichol and composer Laura Sheils, involving 40 children and young musicians.
2022 PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Friday 29 April | 8pm
St Brendan's R.C Church, Wilmer Road
The Irish Chamber Orchestra is Ireland’s most dynamic ensemble, consisting of over 30 world-class musicians, combining high-quality performances with expansive and artistic vision. Presenting an evening of Mozart and including Widmann’s oboe concerto and flute suite, in this beautiful Birr setting.
Director | Jörg Widmann
Saturday 30 April | 9pm
Birr Castle Courtyard
Birr Young Voices present Soundscapes of Nature created and animated by Finn Nichol with songs composed by Laura Sheils. Performance includes projections inspired by the natural world. Led by choral director Anne McCambridge and featuring past Trench Award finalists Breffni Fitzpatrick, David Kennedy and David Vesey.
COFFEE CONCERT
Saturday 30 April | 3pm
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Enjoy an enchanting Saturday afternoon of great arias, musical classics and piano solos! International baritone Bruno Caproni has graced the world’s major opera houses and performed with many of the greatest singers of our time. Pianist Julian Evans pursues a hugely
successful career as a soloist in the leading European concert halls and is a prolific recording artist.
Julian Evans & Bruno Caproni
Sunday 1 May | 7.30pm
Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Showcasing young singers and musicians of the
future! Six singers/musicians each perform a 15-minute programme of their choice. All are pursuing professional careers in performance and were selected by an international panel of music experts. Recipients of The Trench Award, Birr Lions Club Bursary, Canto Al Serchio Prize (for voice), Audrey Chisholm Award (for instrument), will be announced. An Audience Choice and Musical Futures Bursary may also be awarded.
Accompanist | Dearbhla Collins
SONGS FOR SPRING
Sunday 1 May | 3pm
St Brendan's Church of Ireland, Oxmantown Mall
Breffni Fitzpatrick (soprano) is joined by guests David Corr (baritone) and Katie Richardson McCrea (mezzo-soprano) in a
delightful programme of solos, duets and trios from the world of opera, classic musicals and song cycles.
Accompanist | Dearbhla Collins
MUSIC IN BIRR CASTLE
Patrick Rafter & Ellen Jansson
Monday 2 May | 3pm
Music Salon, Birr Castle
* For Festival Patrons & Sponsors
Two of Ireland's most exciting young musicians performed stunning chamber/duo works as a thank you to our festival patrons & sponsors for their great support.