Robert Beattie

Excellent account of James MacMillan’s St John Passion marks Good Friday in Dublin

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IrelandIreland Sir James MacMillan’s St John Passion: Seán Boylan (Christus), National Symphony Chorus (choral director: David Young), Chamber Choir Ireland, National Symphony Orchestra / David Hill (conductor). National Concert Hall, Dublin, 18.4.2025. (RB)

Seán Boylan (Christus) © Joanne Taaffe

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First-rate Dublin concert of Dessner and Stravinsky featuring great playing from the soloists and the NSO

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IrelandIreland Bryce Dessner, Stravinsky: Bryce Dessner and David Chalmin (guitars), Katia and Marielle Labèque (pianos), National Symphony Orchestra / André de Ridder (conductor). National Concert Hall, Dublin, 11.4.2025. (RB)

André de Ridder conducts pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque and the NSO in Bryce Dessner’s Concerto for Two Pianos

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Intriguing programme of contemporary works performed with flair by Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Distant Plains: Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble (Aisling Agnew [flute], Sarah Watts [clarinet], David McCann [cello], Daniel Browell [piano], Michael Trainor [violin] / Matthew Lynch [conductor]. Harty Room, Queen’s University, Belfast, 13.12.2024. (RB)

Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble

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Outstanding Wexford Festival Opera revival of a ‘let’s put on an opera’ Donizetti rarity

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IrelandIreland Wexford Festival Opera 2024 [3] – Donizetti, Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera / Danila Grassi (conductor). O’Reilly Theatre, Wexford, 25.10.2024. (RB)

Wexford Festival Opera’s Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali © Patricio Cassinoni

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