United Kingdom Clandeboye Festival [3] – Beethoven, Schubert: Barry Douglas (piano) and chamber musicians. Clandeboye Estate, County Down, 28.8.2026. (RB)
Highly enjoyable accounts of two chamber music masterpieces at the Clandeboye Festival
Robert Beattie
Wonderful recital of Russian music by Barry Douglas at the Clandeboye Festival
United Kingdom Clandeboye Festival [2] – Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev Mussorgsky: Barry Douglas (piano). Clandeboye Estate, County Down, Northern Ireland, 26.8.2026. (RB)
Marvellous playing by Roscoe and Ogawa is a great way to launch the Netherby Piano Course
United Kingdom R. Schumann, Mussorgsky, Brahms, Bartok, Chopin: Martin Roscoe (piano), Noriko Ogawa (piano). Netherby Hall, Carlisle, 20.7.2026. (RB)
Two exciting American works vividly performed in Dublin
Ireland Julia Wolfe, Rachmaninov, John Adams: Nicolas Namoradze (piano), National Symphony Chorus Ireland (chorus director: David Young), National Symphony Orchestra Ireland / Samy Rachid (conductor). National Concert Hall, Dublin, 18.6.2026. (RB)
A musical celebration of cross-cultural exchanges between Northern Ireland and China
United Kingdom Beijing to Belfast: Connections Through Culture: Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble (Aisling Agnew [flute/piccolo], Sarah Watts [clarinet/bass clarinet], Marie Schreer [violin], David McCann [cello], Daniel Browell [piano]), Paul McCusker (conductor). Harty Room, Queen’s University, Belfast, 30.5.2026. (RB)
An all-encompassing account of Mahler’s Fifth in Dublin
Ireland Britten, Mahler: Baiba Skride (violin), National Symphony Orchestra Ireland /Jonas Alber (conductor). National Concert Hall, Dublin, 29.5.2026. (RB)
Two splendid sopranos overcome an unconvincing post-apocalyptic setting for Norma
Ireland Bellini, Norma: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Irish National Opera / Maurizio Benini (conductor). Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, 24.5.2026. (RB)
Intensely moving performance of Puccini’s timeless La bohème from Diva Opera and NIO
United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Northern Ireland Opera Chorus / Bryan Evans (music director and piano). Carlisle Memorial Church, Belfast, 16.5.2026. (RB)
