Tickets go on sale for West Wicklow Festival
THE line-up for the 2018 West Wicklow Festival has been finalised with Julian Bliss, Philip Highman, Gavan Ring, the Benyounes Quartet and Fiachra Garvey all set to perform.
The festival runs from May 17 to May 20 at Russborough House and St Mary’s Church in Blessington.
The festival’s founder and artistic director is Ballyknockan man Fiachra Garvey who, having attended many great festivals all around the world, decided to establish his own festival in his native county in 2017. Last year’s event was a huge success and Fiachra is looking forward to drawing music-lovers to Blessington once again with a hugely talented line-up.
‘ The West Wicklow Festival brings the riches of wonderful artists from Ireland and abroad to west Wicklow, for the enjoyment of all-comers,’ he said. ‘Russborough House, one of Ireland’s most beautiful Palladian houses, and St Mary’s Church Blessington, are fitting venues with their intimate surroundings and long history and association with music.
‘I am hugely excited about our second festival which will build on the enormous success of last year.’
Julian Bliss is one of the world’s finest clari- nettists excelling as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, jazz artist, masterclass leader and tireless musical explorer. He has inspired a generation of young players as guest lecturer and creator of his Conn-Selmer range of clarinets.
Philip Higham has made solo appearances with the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Northern Sinfonia and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Philip’s late night solo Bach concert at Russborough in particular promises to be a real highlight.
Gavan Ring is one of Ireland and Europe’s leading baritones. A prizewinner at Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song Competition, his other awards include the Southbank Sinfonia Award for Orchestral Song, the National Concert Hall Dr Bernadette Greevy Bursary and the Cuisine de France John Count McCormack Bursary.
Winners of the 2012 International Sandor Vegh String Quartet Competition in Budapest, the Benyounes Quartet is gaining a reputation as one of the most engaging, dynamic and successful quartets to have emerged from the UK in recent years.
Tickets for the second West Wicklow Festival are now on sale from www.westwicklowfestival.com.