National Concert Hall announces Classical Season 2026/2027

August 2026 to May 2027 | 60+ performances Renée Fleming, Joyce DiDonato, Sir András Schiff, and National Symphony Orchestra Ireland with Principal Conductor Alexander Shelley lead National Concert Hall’s new star-studded Season 2026/2027

The National Concert Hall has today announced its 2026–2027 Classical Season. Running from August 2026 to May 2027, it boasts more than 60 landmark performances and features National Symphony Orchestra Ireland (NSOI), with Principal Conductor Alexander Shelley in his first full season with the orchestra, and some of the world’s greatest performers and ensembles from across Europe, the US and Japan. It presents:

• National Symphony Orchestra Ireland as the centrepiece offering of the Season with almost 50 performances. Key among them are those with Principal Conductor Alexander Shelley leading seven major projects in his first season as Principal Conductor, and Artistic Partner Peter Whelan conducting two programmes. 
• The International Orchestras and Recitals series of nine concerts presents some of the world’s leading International Orchestras and soloists: Sir András Schiff, Joyce DiDonato, Bach Collegium Japan, San Diego Symphony, Camerata of Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and Vox Clamantis
• The NCH Discover programme of nine concerts for families and schools audiences of all ages led by NCH Discover Artist-in-Residence Jessie Grimes.

Spanning five centuries of repertoire, it includes a major Beethoven focus marking the composer’s 200th anniversary; the 80th birthday of pianist John O’Conor; an ambitious strand of choral works with National Symphony Chorus Ireland including Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony and Britten’s War Requiem; the Irish premiere of Heiner Goebbels' Songs of Wars I Have Seen with Irish Baroque Orchestra and Crash Ensemble; outstanding world and Irish premieres by Irish and international composers; classical masterpieces and crowd-pleasers by leading orchestras and soloists from American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato to pianist Sir András Schiff, San Diego Symphony to Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, Bach Collegium Japan to Renée Fleming with Thomas Hampson and National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and Principal Conductor Alexander Shelley, and many more. NCH Discover presents a programme of nine concerts for families and schools audiences of all ages led by NCH Discover Artist-in-Residence Jessie Grimes.

Other celebrated names include baritones Thomas Hampson and Matthias Goerne, mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly, and violinist Midori, in addition to acclaimed interpreters and outstanding new generation soloists and conductors. The distinguished Irish actor Ciarán Hinds will narrate an orchestral work by Leonard Slatkin. 

Performances also take place in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford in collaboration with Cork Orchestral Society, Triskel Arts Centre, Music for Galway, University Concert Hall Limerick and the Symphony Club of Waterford. The season also includes a performance at the National Concert Hall as part of New Music Dublin 2027.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, welcomes the Season, stating:
‘As Minister with responsibility for Culture, one of my key goals is to make culture and the arts accessible to everyone, right across the country. That is why I warmly welcome today’s announcement of a broad and inclusive programme of musical performances and events for the National Concert Hall’s Classical Season 2026/2027.

In terms of geographic spread, there are events in Limerick, Galway, Cork and Waterford, as well as Dublin. In terms of variety, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and invited national and international artists and ensembles will perform a varied repertoire of music from a range of eras and genres. And families and younger people will love the more accessible and innovative offerings, including through movie screenings with live orchestral performances of film scores, family concerts and performances specifically designed for school children.

‘There truly is something for everyone, whether seasoned patron or newly curious – so I invite all audiences, wherever you are and whatever your musical interests, to access the National Concert Hall’s offering for the season ahead.’

Nigel Flegg, Chief Executive of the National Concert Hall, says: 
‘As Ireland’s National Cultural Institution for Music, the National Concert Hall is committed to music for all: to artistic excellence, to programming which embraces a broad range of musical tastes and traditions, and to creating musical experiences that connect with audiences in meaningful and lasting ways. The depth and breadth of this season reflects that ambition, as does our continued commitment to accessibility and affordability. We are committed to ensuring that audiences can engage with our work through a range of price points and concessions, with tickets starting from €15 for the majority of Main Stage evening concerts.

‘We look forward to sharing this remarkable season with audiences at the National Concert Hall, in venues around the country, and through our close relationship with our national broadcaster, RTÉ lyric fm. It is a privilege to work with artists and composers of such international distinction, while also continuing to support and platform Irish artists and new work.

‘We acknowledge with thanks the many people and organisations who make a season of this scale possible: our own orchestral musicians and singers, our visiting artists, the National Concert Hall teams, our partners, patrons, Friends, subscribers, audiences and supporters, including Philip Lee LLP, Travel Department, IPUT Real Estate Dublin, and RTÉ Supporting the Arts. We are especially grateful to Minister Patrick O’Donovan and his Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Culture Ireland, and all our funding partners and donors for their continued commitment to making music and culture accessible to audiences across Ireland.’

Alexander Shelley, NSOI Principal Conductor, says:
‘It is a great personal joy to look to my first season as Principal Conductor of National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. I am proud of what the orchestra means to this nation. My deepest ambition is that this orchestra should further expand its reach, serving all Irish people, and that it should do so at a level that earns it a reputation as an international beacon of Irish excellence, an ensemble the world travels to hear.

‘This season is one illuminated by a constellation of artists at the very height of their powers. I believe passionately in the ability of music not just to entertain but to connect us, to change us, and to nourish us. Over the course of just a single concert, a great symphony orchestra can bring you to tears of joy and melancholy, transport you to wondrous dreamworlds, grapple with our darkest instincts and heal emotional wounds. Over the course of a season, it can provide a source of endless enrichment and discovery.’

Artists

• In addition to soprano Renée Fleming, baritone Thomas Hampson, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, violinist Midori, and pianists Sir András Schiff and John O’Conor, the Season boasts an exceptional roster of guest artists:
• Conductors include Leonard Slatkin, Rafael Payare, Tõnu Kaljuste, John Wilson, Anja Bihlmaier, Anna Sułkowska-Migoń, David Brophy, Gerhard Markson, Hans Graf, and Martyn Brabbins. 
• Outstanding instrumental soloists include violinists Leonidas Kavakos, Midori, Gidon Kremer, Pekka Kuusisto, Karen Gomyo, Clara-Jumi Kang, Bomsori, and Randall Goosby; pianists Jonathan Biss, Barry Douglas, Nobuyuki Tsujii, Benjamin Grosvenor, Sunwook Kim, John O’Conor, Emanuil Ivanov, and Sophia Liu; and cellists Daniel Müller-Schott, Anastasia Kobekina, and Pablo Ferrández; guitarist Thibaut Garcia; and saxophonist Jess Gillam.
• Vocal soloists include Dame Sarah Connolly, Matthias Goerne, Tara Erraught and Paula Murrihy. Distinguished actor Ciarán Hinds will narrate the Irish premiere of an orchestral work by Leonard Slatkin.

International Orchestras, Ensembles and Choirs

• Featured international orchestras, ensembles and choirs reflect the international scale and artistic calibre of the season, with appearances by the acclaimed Bach Collegium Japan, San Diego Symphony, and Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, alongside distinguished European and Irish ensembles including Camerata of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Camerata Ireland and Barry Douglas, Irish Baroque Orchestra and Crash Ensemble. 
• Choral highlights include the celebrated vocal ensembles Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Vox Clamantis, as well as the three choirs of the National Concert Hall: National Symphony Chorus Ireland, Cór Linn and Cór na nÓg.

Repertoire

• The programme spans cornerstone works of the orchestral, choral, operatic and recital repertoire, alongside major works of the 20th and 21st centuries by distinctive voices spanning cinematic grandeur, minimalist clarity, and bold experimental forms from film and theatre to experimental and spiritual traditions, world and Irish premieres, and new commissions. 
• It includes Bach’s St Matthew Passion, Brandenburg Concertos and The Art of Fugue; for the Beethoven 200 year, the first five Beethoven symphonies – launching a cycle of his symphonies which will continue next season, his Piano Concertos (Nos. 3, 4 and 5), and the Grosse Fugue; Schubert’s Winterreise in an arrangement for singer and chamber orchestra; and major orchestral works by Ravel, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Elgar and Korngold.
• Large-scale works include Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (‘Resurrection’), Britten’s War Requiem and Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust, all with National Symphony Chorus Ireland, and a concert performance of Bartók’s opera, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle.
• Distinctive contemporary voices include John Williams, Missy Mazzoli, Arvo Pärt, John Adams, Heiner Goebbels, Anna Clyne, and Jessie Montgomery.
• World premieres by Irish and international composers include Elaine Agnew and poet Jessica Traynor in collaboration with the National Concert Hall’s Cór Linn, Judith Ring, Amelia Clarkson, Ed Bennett, Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy and composers from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
• Irish premieres of works by composers including Anna Clyne, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Leonard Slatkin, Mieczysław Karłowicz, Heiner Goebbels, Tõnu Kõrvits, Dobrinka Tabakova, and Erkki-Sven Tüür. 

Tickets and Booking

• Tickets from €15 with a range of discounts available.
• Priority booking opens on Wednesday 3 June at 1.30pm. Full public booking opens on Friday 5 June at 10am. See www.nch.ie 

Pre-Concert Talks

Many of the performances are preceded by a Pre-Concert Talk. Details are updated throughout the season. See individual event pages on www.nch.ie for further information.

Further information

See NOTES TO EDITORS for further detail on programme highlights relating to National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, International Orchestras and Recitals, NCH Discover, Pricing and Discounts, and Key Booking Dates.

Full details of all concerts here

See the Classical Season brochure here

Artist Images: available upon request
 
NOTES TO EDITORS

National Symphony Orchestra Ireland Highlights

• Principal Conductor Alexander Shelley leads seven projects and 12 performances, including one at City Hall, Cork and three Symphony Shorts concerts for families. His programmes include Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 3 (‘Eroica’) and 5; Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony with Dame Sarah Connolly, Tara Erraught and National Symphony Chorus Ireland; John Adams’ Three Scenes from Nixon in China with soloists Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson; a world premiere by Amelia Clarkson; what Shelley describes as ‘a tasting menu of compelling, virtuosic and magical pieces for Culture Night’; music from Star Wars (John Williams) and The Planets (Holst).
• Olivier Award-winning Peter Whelan, National Symphony Orchestra’s Artistic Partner, is one of the most dynamic and versatile exponents of historical performance of his generation. He conducts two programmes: the first a celebration of Mozart and Haydn including Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17 with Jonathan Biss as soloist, the second, presenting works by Beethoven, Mahler and Mendelssohn, including songs from Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn with mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy as soloist.
• ‘John O’Conor at 80’ sees the acclaimed pianist performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 as part of a programme which also includes Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 for the Beethoven 200 year.
• Sunwook Kim directs Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto from the keyboard and conducts Mahler’s Fourth Symphony.
• Other centrepiece concertos feature with cellists Pablo Ferrández (Schumann), Anastasia Kobekina (Dvořák) and Daniel Müller-Schott (Elgar); violinists Randall Goosby (Brahms), Clara-Jumi Kang (Sibelius) and Bomsori (Korngold); pianists Benjamin Grosvenor (Beethoven ‘Emperor’), and Nobuyuki Tsujii (Chopin).
• Major choral and opera works with National Symphony Chorus Ireland include Bach’s St Matthew Passion, Britten’s War Requiem, Berlioz’s The Damnation of Faust and Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle.
• New music and music new to audiences features in world and Irish premieres. These include the world premieres of What the Future Holds, with music by Elaine Agnew and text by Jessica Traynor, based on poems created by the National Concert Hall’s choir, Cór Linn; two works inspired by Beethoven in the Beethoven 200 year: Beneath the Shadows by Judith Ring, and Porcelain by Amelia Clarkson; and a new work by Ed Bennett as part of New Music Dublin. 
• Irish premieres include Glasslands by Anna Clyne; The Raven, composed and conducted by Leonard Slatkin and narrated by actor Ciarán Hinds; and Polish composer Mieczysław Karłowicz’s sumptuous Eternal Songs conducted by Polish conductor Anna Sułkowska-Migoń.

International Orchestras and Recitals Highlights

• The International Orchestras and Recitals series showcasing international orchestras and artists opens with the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra conducted by Keri-Lynn Wilson performing works including Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder and Bohdana Frolyak’s Gloria. Other highlights include:
• San Diego Symphony with conductor Rafael Payare performing Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite, Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with Leonidas Kavakos as soloist, alongside Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, and Kauyumari by Gabriela Ortiz;
• Bach Collegium Japan performing all six of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos;
• Pekka Kuusisto directing and conducting the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in a programme including Sibelius’ Violin Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony;
• Leading violinist Gidon Kremer and distinguished violinist Midori join forces with Kremerata Baltica for a programme which includes Haydn’s First Violin Concerto, a major new commission by leading Baltic composers, and works by Mahler and Shostakovich;
• Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato sings a festive Christmas programme;
• Baritone Matthias Goerne performs Schubert’s Winterreise with Camerata of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra;
• The acclaimed Estonian vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis sings a programme blending ancient chant with luminous contemporary choral writing centring around the music of Arvo Pärt and including evocative works by David Lang and Helena Tulve.
• Irish Baroque Orchestra and Crash Ensemble join forces for Heiner Goebbels’ Songs of Wars I Have Seen, attended by the composer himself.
• Sir András Schiff, one of today’s most distinguished pianists, performs Bach’s enigmatically unfinished masterpiece The Art of Fugue, which Schiff calls ‘the greatest work by the greatest composer who ever lived’.
• The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste, performs on three occasions: twice at the National Concert Hall and once at Triskel Arts Centre, Cork. The National Concert Hall programmes include a performance with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, with cellist Anja Lechner as soloist, featuring major choral and orchestral works by Erkki-Sven Tüür, Tõnu Kõrvits and Arvo Pärt, including Tüür’s Passio and Crystallisatio, Kõrvits’ Reflections from a Plainland, and movements from the Seven Dreams of Seven Birds alongside In Principio, one of Pärt’s most powerful large-scale sacred works, together with his First Symphony. The second concert features the Estonian choir performing a cappella in a dedicated celebration of Pärt’s music marking his 90th birthday in 2025. 
• At Triskel Arts Centre, the choir will perform works by Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis, Luciano Berio, Philip Glass and Lepo Sumera, including excerpts from Pärt’s Kanon pokajanen, his Magnificat and Berio’s Cries of London.

NCH Discover for Families and Younger Audiences

• Symphony Shorts: Hour-long family concerts in which National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, Principal Conductor Alexander Shelley and NCH Discover Artist-in-Residence Jessie Grimes present major works of the repertoire in new ways designed to engage audiences of all ages. Three concerts explore Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Symphony and, in one concert, music from Star Wars and The Planets respectively [ASD friendly].
• Music in the Classroom with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland supports the aims of the National Curriculum, bringing the colourful, exciting world of orchestral music to life in an interactive and accessible way.
• Big screen showings of The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Zog, and Stick Man offer a new way to experience much-loved classics of children’s literature, all with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland.
• World premiere with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland of The Magical Harp of the Dagda, a flagship new work for children based on Irish mythology, with music by Aoife Ní Bhriain and Cormac McCarthy, and text by the former Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde. 

Performances supported by Travel Department

National Symphony Orchestra Ireland performances on 11 September, 2026 (NSOI Season Opening: Alexander Shelley conducts Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony); 1 January, 2027 (New Year’s Day Gala) and 7 May, 2027 (Alexander Shelley conducts Star Wars and The Planets) are supported by Travel Department:

James Coughlan, CEO, Travel Department says: ‘At Travel Department, our work is about connecting people with meaningful experiences, whether through travel or culture. We are proud to support the National Concert Hall’s 2026/2027 Classical Season, helping bring world-class performances to audiences in Ireland. Just as we create journeys that open up new perspectives, we believe live music has the power to move, inspire, and connect people across borders and communities.’

Performance supported by Philip Lee LLP

The National Symphony Orchestra Ireland performance on 26 February, 2027 (Alexander Shelley conducts Beethoven and Adams) is supported by Philip Lee LLP. 

Jonathan Kelly, Managing Partner, Philip Lee LLP says: ‘Building on our long-standing relationship with the National Concert Hall, Philip Lee LLP is proud to continue supporting an organisation that plays such an important role in Ireland’s cultural life. As great admirers of Alexander Shelley, we are especially looking forward to hearing his interpretation of Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Symphony, and to the opportunity to hear a performance of the three Scenes from Nixon in China with the renowned soprano Renée Fleming and baritone Thomas Hampson, which promises to be a highlight of the season.’ 

Pricing and Discounts

• Tickets for all main stage concerts in the season begin at €15 (with the exception of New Music Dublin).
• NCH Friends: Discounts of up to 30% for NCH Friends on 30+ concerts and on the NCH Friends Gala on 6 November, 2026.
• Multi-buy Packages: Discounts of up to 25%.
• Group discounts: 20% discount when purchasing 40+ tickets, and 10% discount when purchasing 10-39 tickets.
• Students: €10 student tickets (limited availability)
• Family-Friendly price options for family concerts.
• Persons with Disability and their Carer: 50% discount.
• Senior Citizens and Unwaged: 5% discount.

Key Booking Dates

• Wednesday 3 June, 2026—1.30pm: NCH Patrons and NCH Season Friends.
• Thursday 4 June, 2026—10am: NCH Friends.
• Friday 5 June, 2026—10am: General Bookers & Groups.

How to book: Tel: 01 417 0000 or www.nch.ie  

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Media Queries
Assumpta Lawless, Marketing & Communications Manager, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland | 087 290 4168 | assumpta.lawless@nch.ie  

About the National Concert Hall

The National Concert Hall is Ireland’s national cultural institution for music, proudly serving audiences since opening in 1981 through an extensive programme of live performances, education and cultural initiatives. Located in the heart of Dublin city centre beside the Iveagh Gardens, the NCH is home to National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, National Symphony Chorus, the NCH Cór Linn youth choir (for ages 14–19), and Ireland’s leading children’s choir, Cór na nÓg. The NCH also provides a home for a range of resident music organisations, including Chamber Choir Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Music Network, Crash Ensemble, and Music Generation.    

The National Concert Hall is currently planning a major redevelopment of its facilities as part of Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan. The NCH Discover Centre marks the first phase of this once-in-a-generation transformation, reimagining the National Concert Hall as a vibrant, accessible cultural campus and a true home for music in Ireland. The expanded campus will feature new and enhanced performance spaces, learning and participation facilities, and welcoming civic spaces, engaging more than 500,000 visitors annually. At its heart, this redevelopment will deepen the NCH’s national impact, ensuring music is experienced, explored and shared by generations to come.

Séasúr Clasaiceach 2026/2027 fógartha ag an gCeoláras Náisiúnta

Lúnasa 2026 go Bealtaine 2027 | 60+ léiriú

Renée Fleming, Joyce DiDonato, Sir András Schiff, agus 
Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann leis an bPríomhstiúrthóir Alexander Shelley ag cur tús le Séasúr nua lán réaltaí ceoil de chuid an Cheolárais Náisiúnta 2026/2027 

Tá an Séasúr Clasaiceach 2026 -2027 fógartha inniu ag an gCeoláras Náisiúnta. Agus é ar siúl ó mhí Lúnasa 2026 go mí na Bealtaine 2027, tá níos mó ná 60 léiriú shuntasacha ann agus beidh Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann (CSNÉ) le feiceáil ann, leis an bPríomhstiúrthóir Alexander Shelley agus é ar a chéad séasúr iomlán leis an gceolfhoireann, agus le cuid de na taibheoirí agus ensembles is mó ar domhan ó ar fud na hEorpa, ó na Stát Aontaithe agus ón tSeapáin. Cuirtear i láthair ann:

• Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann mar phríomh-mhír an tSéasúir agus beagnach 50 léiriú ar fad ann. Mar phríomhnithe ina measc siúd a bhfuil an Príomhstiúrthóir Alexander Shelley ag treorú seacht dtionscadal mhóra sa chéad séasúr mar Phríomhstiúrthóir agus an Comhpháirtí Ealaíne Peter Whelan i mbun dhá chlár. 
• Sa tsraith Ceolfhoirne agus Aithrisí Idirnáisiúnta beidh naoi gceolchoirm ann ina gcuirtear i láthair cuid de na Ceolfhoirne Idirnáisiúnta agus na haonréadaithe idirnáisiúnta is mó clú ar domhan: Sir András Schiff, Joyce DiDonato, Bach Collegium Japan, San Diego Symphony, Camerata of Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, agus Vox Clamantis
• Ar chlár an Cheolárais Náisiúnta ‘Discover’ beidh naoi gceolchoirm ann do theaghlaigh agus do lucht féachana scoileanna de gach aois faoi stiúir Ealaíontóra Cónaithe de chuid an Cheolárais Náisiúnta ‘Discover’, Jessie Grimes.

Thar thréimhse cúig chéad bliain de repertoire, cuimsítear ann sé Beethoven focus mar chomóradh 200 bliain an chumadóra; 80ú breithlá an phianódóra John O’Conor; snáithe uaillmhianach de shaothair chórúla le Cór Siansach Náisiúnta Éireann lena n-áirítear an Siansa ‘Resurrection’ de chuid Mahler agus War Requiem de chuid Britten; an chéad léiriú Éireannach Songs of Wars I Have Seen le Heiner Goebbels leis an Irish Baroque Orchestra agus Crash Ensemble; premières domhanda agus Éireannacha den scoth ag cumadóirí Éireannacha agus idirnáisiúnta; sárshaothair chlasaiceacha agus píosaí a thaitníonn go mór leis an slua ag ceolfhoirne agus aonairithe ceannródaíocha idir an meánsoprán Meiriceánach Joyce DiDonato agus an pianódóir Sir András Schiff, San Diego Symphony agus Freedom Orchestra na hÚcráine, Bach Collegium Japan agus Renée Fleming le Thomas Hampson agus Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann agus an Príomhstiúrthóir Alexander Shelley, agus a lán eile. Le ‘Discover’ de chuid an Cheolárais Náisiúnta cuirtear clár de naoi gceolchoirm i láthair do theaghlaigh agus do lucht féachana scoileanna de gach aois faoi stiúir an ealaíontóra cónaithe, Jessie Grimes, de chuid ‘Discover’ an Cheolárais Náisiúnta.

I measc na n-ainmneacha eile a cheiliúraítear tá na baratóin Thomas Hampson agus Matthias Goerne, an meánsoprán Dame Sarah Connolly, agus an veidhleadóir Midori, chomh maith le hateangairí clúiteacha agus aonréadaithe agus stiúrthóirí den scoth de chuid new generation. Déanfaidh an t-aisteoir iomráiteach Éireannach Ciarán Hinds saothar ceolfhoirne le Leonard Slatkin a insint. 

Bíonn léirithe ar siúl freisin i gCorcaigh, Gaillimh, Luimneach agus Port Láirge i gcomhar le Cumann Ceolfhoirneach Chorcaí, Triskel Arts Centre, Music for Galway, University Concert Hall Limerick agus an Symphony Club of Waterford. Tá léiriú sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta mar chuid de New Music Dublin 2027 mar chuid den séasúr freisin.

Fáiltíonn an tAire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt, Patrick O’Donovan, roimh an Séasúr, agus deir sé:
‘Mar Aire a bhfuil freagracht orm as Cultúr, ceann de na príomhspriocanna atá agam ná cultúr agus na healaíona a dhéanamh inrochtana do gach duine, ar fud na tíre. Sin é an fáth a gcuirim fáilte mhór roimh fhógra an lae inniu faoi chlár leathan cuimsitheach de léirithe agus imeachtaí ceoil do Shéasúr Clasaiceach an Cheolárais Náisiúnta 2026/2027.

Maidir le scaipeadh geografach, tá imeachtaí i Luimneach, i nGaillimh, i gCorcaigh agus i bPort Láirge, chomh maith le Baile Átha Cliath. Ó thaobh éagsúlachta de, déanfaidh Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann agus ealaíontóirí agus ensembles náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta ar tugadh cuireadh dóibh stór éagsúil ceoil a léiriú ó réimse réanna agus seánraí. Agus beidh an-dúil ag teaghlaigh agus ag daoine níos óige sna tairiscintí níos inrochtana agus nuálacha atá ann, lena n-áirítear léirithe scannán agus léirithe ag ceolfhoirne beo de scóir scannán, ceolchoirmeacha teaghlaigh agus léirithe atá saindeartha do leanaí scoile.

‘Tá rud éigin ann go fírinneach do gach duine, bíodh sé ina phátrún séasúrach nó ina dhuine atá ag teacht den chéad uair le teann fiosrachta – aisteach – mar sin tugaim cuireadh do gach cineá; lucht féachana, cibé áit ina bhfuil sibh agus cibé spéiseanna ceoil atá agaibh, teacht ar a bhfuil le tairiscint ag an gCeoláras Náisiúnta don séasúr amach romhainn.'

Deir Nigel Flegg, Príomhfheidhmeannach an Cheolárais Náisiúnta: 
‘Mar Institiúid Náisiúnta Chultúrtha na hÉireann don Cheol, tá an Ceoláras Náisiúnta tiomanta do cheol do chách: d'fheabhas ealaíonta, do chlársceidealú a chuimsíonn réimse leathan blasanna agus traidisiún ceoil, agus d'eispéiris cheoil a chruthú a nascann le lucht féachana ar bhealaí fiúntacha agus marthanacha. Léiríonn doimhneacht agus fairsinge an tséasúir seo an uaillmhian sin, mar aon lenár dtiomantas leanúnach d'inrochtaineacht agus d'inacmhainneacht. Táimid tiomanta a chinntiú gur féidir le lucht féachana dul i ngleic lenár gcuid oibre trí réimse pointí praghais agus lamháltas, agus ticéid ag tosú ar phraghas €15 do fhormhór na gceolchoirmeacha tráthnóna ar an bPríomhardán.

Táimid ag súil leis an séasúr iontach seo a roinnt leis an lucht féachana sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta, in ionaid timpeall na tíre, agus tríd an dlúthchaidreamh atá againn lenár gcraoltóir náisiúnta, RTÉ lyric fm. Is pribhléid é a bheith ag obair le healaíontóirí agus le cumadóirí a bhfuil an clú agus cáíl idirnáisiúnta sin orthu, agus ag an am céanna leanúint ar aghaidh ag tacú le healaíontóirí Éireannacha agus le saothar nua agus á gcur ar an ardán.

Tugaimid aitheantas le buíochas don iliomad duine agus eagraíochta a dhéanann séasúr den chineál seo indéanta: ár gceoltóirí agus ár n-amhránaithe ceolfhoirneacha féin, ár n-ealaíontóirí a thagann chugainn ar cuairt, foirne an Cheolárais Náisiúnta, ár gcomhpháirtithe, ár bpátrúin, ár gCairde, ár síntiúsóirí, ár lucht féachana agus ár lucht tacaíochta, lena n-áirítear Philip Lee LLP, an Rannóg Taistil, IPUT Real Estate Dublin, agus RTÉ Supporting the Arts. Táimid buíoch go háirithe den Aire Patrick O’Donovan agus den Roinn Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt, den Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha, Culture Ireland, agus dár gcomhpháirtithe cistithe agus deontóirí go léir as a dtiomantas leanúnach do cheol agus cultúr a dhéanamh inrochtana do lucht féachana ar fud na hÉireann.’

Deir Alexander Shelley, Príomhstiúrthóir CSNÉ:
‘Is mór an t-áthas pearsanta é breathnú ar mo chéad séasúr mar Phríomhstiúrthóir ar Cheolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann. Tá mé bródúil as cad is brí leis an gceolfhoireann don náisiún seo. Is í an uaillmhian is doimhne atá agam ná gur chóir don cheolfhoireann seo a réim a leathnú tailed, freastal ar mhuintir uile na hÉireann, agus gur chóir di é sin a dhéanamh ag leibhéal a thuilleann cáil di mar lóchrann idirnáisiúnta de shármhaitheas na hÉireann, ensemble a dtaistealaíonn an domhan chuige lena chloisteáil.

‘Séard atá i gceist leis an séasúr seo ná ceann atá drithlithe ag réaltbhuíon ealaíontóirí atá i mbarr a réime. Creidim go paiseanta i gcumas an cheoil, ní hamháin chun siamsaíocht a dhéanamh ach chun muid a nascadh, chun muid a athrú, agus chun sinn a chothú. Le linn aon cheolchoirm amháin, is féidir le ceolfhoireann shiansach mhór deora an áthais a chur orainn agus caoineadh tromchroíoch freisin, iompraítear sinn chuig domhan éachtaí, cuirtear sinn i ngleic leis na braistintí is doimhne agus is dorcha ionann agus déantar créachtaí mothúchánacha a leigheas. Le linn séasúir, is féidir leis a bheith ina thobar saibhrithe agus fionnachtana gan teorainn.’

Ealaíontóirí Ceoil

• Chomh maith leis an soprán Renée Fleming, an baratón Thomas Hampson, an meánsoprán Joyce DiDonato, an veidhleadóir Midori, agus na pianódóirí Sir András Schiff agus John O’Conor, tá uainchlár eisceachtúil aoi-ealaíontóirí ann don Séasúr:
• I measc na stiúrthóirí tá Leonard Slatkin, Rafael Payare, Tõnu Kaljuste, John Wilson, Anja Bihlmaier, Anna Sułkowska-Migoń, David Brophy, Gerhard Markson, Hans Graf, agus Martyn Brabbins.
• I measc na n-aonréadaithe uirlise den scoth tá na veidhleadóirí Leonidas Kavakos, Midori, Gidon Kremer, Pekka Kuusisto, Karen Gomyo, Clara-Jumi Kang, Bomsori, agus Randall Goosby; na pianódóirí Jonathan Biss, Barry Douglas, Nobuyuki Tsujii, Benjamin Grosvenor, Sunwook Kim, John O’Conor, Emanuil Ivanov, agus Sophia Liu; agus na dordveidhleadóirí Daniel Müller-Schott, Anastasia Kobekina, agus Pablo Ferrández; an giotáraí Thibaut Garcia; agus an sacsafónaí Jess Gillam
• I measc na n-aonréadaithe gutha tá Dame Sarah Connolly, Matthias Goerne, Tara Erraught agus Paula Murrihy. Déanfaidh an t-aisteoir iomráiteach Ciarán Hinds an chéad léiriú Gaeilge de shaothar ceolfhoirne le Leonard Slatkin a aithris.

Ceolfhoirne, Ensembles agus Cóir Idirnáisiúnta

• Léirítear leis na ceolfhoirne, ensembles agus cóir cáil idirnáisiúnta agus mianach ealaíonta an tséasúir, agus láithrithe ag Bach Collegium Japan, San Diego Symphony, agus Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, in éineacht le ensembles iomráiteacha Eorpacha agus Éireannacha lena n-áirítear Camerata of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Camerata Ireland agus Barry Douglas, Irish Baroque Orchestra agus Crash Ensemble. 
• I measc na mbuaicphointí córúla tá na ensembles gutha mór le rá Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir agus Vox Clamantis, chomh maith le trí chór an Cheoláras Náisiúnta: National Symphony Chorus Ireland, Cór Linn agus Cór na nÓg.

Repertoire

• Cuimsítear sa chlár bunsaothair an stóir ceolfhoirnigh, córúil, ceoldrámaíochta agus aithrise, in éineacht le mórshaothair an 20ú agus an 21ú haois ag guthanna sainiúla a chuimsíonn galántacht chineamatach, soiléireacht íostach, agus foirmeacha turgnamhacha misniúla ó thraidisiúin na scannán agus na hamharclannaíochta go traidisiúin thurgnamhacha agus spioradálta, premières domhanda agus Éireannacha, agus coimisiúin nua. 
• Áirítear ann St Matthew Passion, Brandenburg Concertos agus The Art of Fugue le Bach; don 200 bliain de chuid Beethoven, áirítear na chéad chúig shiansa de chuid Beethoven – ag seoladh timthriall dá shiansaí a leanfaidh ar aghaidh isteach sa séasúr seo chugainn, a chuid Coinséartónna Pianó Concertos (Uimh. 3, 4 agus 5), agus Grosse Fugue; Winterreise de chuid Schubert i gcóiriú don amhránaí agus ceolfhoireann aireagail; agus mórshaothair cheolfhoirne le Ravel, Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Elgar agus Korngold.
• I measc na saothar mórscála tá Siansa Uimh. 2 de chuid Mahler (‘Resurrection’), War Requiem de chuid Britten agus The Damnation of Faust le Berlioz, iad go léir le Cór Siansach Náisiúnta Éireann, agus léiriú ceolchoirme de cheoldráma Bartók, Duke Bluebeard’s Castle.
• I measc na nguthanna sainiúla comhaimseartha tá John Williams, Missy Mazzoli, Arvo Pärt, John Adams, Heiner Goebbels, Anna Clyne, agus Jessie Montgomery.
• I measc na gcéad léirithe domhanda ag cumadóirí Éireannacha agus idirnáisiúnta tá Elaine Agnew agus an file Jessica Traynor i gcomhar le Cór Linn an Cheolárais Náisiúnta, Judith Ring, Amelia Clarkson, Ed Bennett, Aoife Ní Bhriain agus Cormac Mc Carthy chomh maith le cumadóirí ón Liotuáin, ón Laitvia agus ón Eastóin.
• Premières Éireannacha de shaothair le cumadóirí lena n-áirítear Anna Clyne, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Leonard Slatkin, Mieczysław Karłowicz, Heiner Goebbels, Tõnu Kõrvits, Dobrinka Tabakova, agus Erkkki-Sven Tüür. 

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