Robert Beattie

Auspicious debut by Anna Handler as Chief Conductor begins the Ulster Orchestra’s 60th anniversary season

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Brahms, Britten, Beethoven: Senan Sheridan (piano), Eleanor Dennis (soprano), Carolyn Dobbin (mezzo-soprano), Kieran Carrel (tenor), Padraic Rowan (bass-baritone), National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland Senior Choir, Belfast Philharmonic Youth Chamber Choir, Belfast Philharmonic Choir, Methodist College Chapel Choir, Royal Belfast Academical Institution Choir Tenors and Basses, Belfast Royal Academy Chamber Choir, Ulster Orchestra / Anna Handler (conductor). Ulster Hall, Belfast, 25.9.2026. (RB)

Ulster Orchestra’s Beethoven Choral Symphony © David Kinghan

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National Symphony Orchestra Ireland launch their new season with some spectacular Mahler

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IrelandIreland Mahler, Symphony No.2 ‘Resurrection’: Tara Erraught (soprano), Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), National Symphony Chorus Ireland (chorus director: David Young), National Symphony Orchestra Ireland / Alexander Shelley (conductor). National Concert Hall, Dublin, 11.9.2026. (RB)

Alexander Shelley conducting soloists and the National Symphony Chorus and Orchestra Ireland © Andres Poveda

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Highly enjoyable accounts of two chamber music masterpieces at the Clandeboye Festival

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Clandeboye Festival [3] – Beethoven, Schubert: Barry Douglas (piano) and chamber musicians. Clandeboye Estate, County Down, 28.8.2026. (RB)

[l-r] Sinéad O’Halloran, Phoebe White, Hannah Miller, Jamie Howe, Maitiú Gaffney, Patrick McErlean, William Curran and Siobhán Doyle

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Two exciting American works vividly performed in Dublin

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IrelandIreland 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)

Samy Rachid conducts the NSOI © NCH/Caoimhe O’Carroll

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A musical celebration of cross-cultural exchanges between Northern Ireland and China

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United KingdomUnited 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)

Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble conducted by Paul McCusker

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