Saint Sister, Hatis Noit, Eric Whitacre, and Jóhann Jóhannsson’s Drone Mass to headline National Concert Hall’s Festival of Voice 2026

The National Concert Hall has announced details of its Festival of Voice 2026, a three-day celebration of the human voice taking place May 22 to 24, 2026.

Headlining the weekend are Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre, Irish folk duo Saint Sister, experimental Japanese vocalist Hatis Noit and performances of Jóhann Jóhannsson’s landmark work Drone Mass.

Supported by IPUT Real Estate Dublin, the festival will bring together international artists, leading Irish ensembles, emerging performers and community choirs in what organisers describe as a city-wide celebration of collective listening, singing and storytelling.

Over three days, the National Concert Hall will host large-scale concerts, intimate recitals and participatory events. Whitacre will conduct the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, National Symphony Chorus Ireland and Chamber Choir Ireland in a flagship concert on Saturday 23 May.

The opening night features Ecstatic Visions, with Saint Sister, Clarissa Connelly, Hatis Noit and Rachael Lavelle, joined by the Festival of Voice Chorus under the direction of David Brophy. The festival closes on Sunday, 24 May, with an immersive presentation of Drone Mass performed by Chamber Choir Ireland and the Crash Ensemble.

Aside from the mainstage performances, the festival places a strong emphasis on accessibility and wellbeing. Events include an open workshop-performance with the Wicklow Parkinson’s Choir, a celebration of Irish-language song traditions with Cór Ban Cúil Aodha, and a special Festival of Voice edition of Dublin storytelling platform Seanchoíche. Emerging artists will also be featured in masterclasses and recitals led by soprano Laurence Servaes.

In addition, the Wilton Park Summer Lunchtime Series will present four midday concerts throughout June spotlighting contemporary traditional Irish music and indie-influenced vocal pop. Curated by Maitiú Ó Casaide and Theodora Byrne, the series aims to showcase new work and collaborations from leading voices in Ireland’s evolving music scene.

Nigel Flegg, CEO of the National Concert Hall, said the festival places “the voice at the centre of our artistic life", describing it as a reflection of Dublin’s diverse and expressive cultural identity.

Niall Gaffney, CEO of IPUT Real Estate Dublin, said the company was proud to support an event celebrating “creativity, inclusion and the power of people coming together.”

Tickets for the event go on sale on March 4 at 10am via nch.ie.