National Concert Hall unveils 'Refractions' series starring Lisa O’Neill, Gemma Dunleavy, Gemma Doherty & more

To mark the venue's 40th anniversary, The National Concert Hall has announced an ambitious programme of concerts as part of its new season titled 'Refractions'.

Refractions - known as the scientific phenomena of light and sound passing from one medium to another - is an undeniably fitting title for a shape-shifting programme which moves across musical genres, features multiple collaborations and collaborators, and celebrates diverse musical perspectives.

Offering a mix of performances and events, the NCH's series comprises over 30 concerts to be staged from September to December offering audiences a variety of events online and in-venue.

Classical music fans can experience leading Irish ensembles, including the Irish Chamber Orchestra with composer and conductor Jörg Widmann; Chamber Choir Ireland performing Aaron Copland, Ross Edwards, Dmitry Bortriansky and Heitor Villa-Lobos; Camerata Ireland with Barry Douglas, piano performing Seán Doherty, John Field, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky and Irish Baroque Orchestra performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos.

The series also see two new concerts entitled ‘Raise your Voices’ curated by celebrated mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught and featuring some of Ireland’s emerging and established singers in concert.

The Chamber Music Series will be presented in association with the String Quartet Foundation of Ireland, with performances by ConTempo, Lir, Navarra, Callino, Ficino, Gealán and Sonoro quartets.

The hugely successful Tradition Now Series is also returning, set to see the likes of Steve Cooney with sean nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird; Any Irvine’s Woody Guthrie Project; the NCH and Arts Council Liam O’Flynn Bursary Award Winner Jack Talty, champion sean nós dancer Edwina Guckian and many more in seven concerts between Thursday, September 30th and Sunday, October 3rd.

A special weekender, 'Utopia', has been curated by writer and podcaster Una Mullally alongside author and writer Conner Habib. This series of idealistic, speculative, experimental and aspirational events brings forth utopian visions of individuals and ignites the utopian will of the collective. Artists featured include: Gemma Doherty (of Saint Sister), Andrea Horan, Izumi Kimura, Daoirí Farrell, Rory Friers (ASIWYFA), Rebel Phoenix, DJ Replay and more.

Also new to this season is 'Prism', curated by Grammy award-winner Rhiannon Giddens. The musician is hosting two evenings with guest artists to include Francesco Turrisi, Denise Chaila, Niwel Tsumbu and Emer Maycock.

NCH is taking a central role in the 100th anniversary of the Anglo-Irish Treaty this year, presenting a special new project titled 'Treaty: Songs' featuring Lisa O’Neill, Gemma Dunleavy, John Spillane, Karan Casey, Maija Sofia, Duke Special, special guest Christy Moore and more to be announced.

This sees the artists write new songs on a generation at a moment of change. NCH will also partner with Fishamble Theatre and Anú Productions for Fishamble’s The Treaty. The history play examines the events surrounding the signing of The Treaty in December 1921, while Anú’s Staging The Treaty is a long-form production written by Theo Dorgan built directly from verbatim text of The Treaty Debates.

All productions are supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, as part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023.

Celebrating 40 years of live music on Earlsfort Terrace, The National Concert Hall will be marking the special occasion with a 40th Anniversary celebration concert in December. Full details to be announced, along with a commission for a new composition marking 40 years of live music at the NCH.

"As Ireland’s national cultural institution for music, we are proud to deliver this new season of concerts and events, on the occasion of the National Concert Hall's 40th anniversary, and as we welcome audiences back to the live-concert experience," Maura McGrath, Chair and Robert Read, CEO of the National Concert Hall, said in a press release.

"The last 18 months has been particularly difficult for artists and those working in the industry, so we are thrilled to provide a regular live performance platform for musicians and to welcome back audiences as we collectively emerge from the darkness of Covid-19 into the light of a return to concert life.”

Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media added her congratulations.

“Today’s announcement by the National Concert Hall of its ambitious new season of concerts is a cause of celebration for both performers and the general public alike as we all emerge from the COVID 19 restrictions. We all look forward to again being able to attend in person the wonderful performances in the Concert Hall. I want to thank the CEO of the NCH, Mr Robert Read and his team for all their hard work in arranging this wonderful programme and to wish the Concert Hall every success during the next forty years.”

Tickets for in-venue concerts will be on sale from €10, while tickets for livestreams are available from €7.50. All NCH livestreams will be available to view for 48 hours.

Tickets for each concert will go on sale this Friday, 10th September at 10am from nch.ie.