6 days Ago By Sam Matthews
The Marble City Music Festival has just announced a stellar lineup for their Christmas edition. Taking place in St Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny from Thursday, November 28 to Sunday, December 1 with an extra show on Sunday, December 6, in the Curtis Auditorium, Cork School of Music - come and join the magic. The Marble City Music Festival was started by world-renowned violinist and Kilkenny native, Patrick Rafter.
Rafter has brought together Ireland’s most sensational and celebrated musicians for something spectacular this winter. Featuring outstanding musicians such Patrick Rafter, Claudia Boyle, Fiachra Garvey, the Rafter Family and Michel Lethiec on the programme is an evening of solo Bach, ‘A Family Christmas Concert’, Chamber Orchestra and soloists, along with a violin and piano recital. On Thursday, November 28, Rafter joins forces with Ailbhe McDonagh — the first ever Irish cellist in history to record Bach’s 6 Suites for solo cello.
On Friday, November 29, one of the world's leading clarinettists comes to Kilkenny — Michel Lethiec. Patrick Rafter teams up with Lethiec and French Chamber Orchestra, Rosa Musica, for a spell-binding evening of chamber music. Saturday, November 30 is a special day, as Patrick Rafter and celebrated Irish pianist, Fiachra Garvey, release their debut album under acclaimed British Record Label, Rubicon Classics.
They will perform the entire album at St Mary’s Cathedral the same evening it releases. Sunday, December 1 at 4pm is ‘A Family Christmas’ and features an incredible lineup of musicians: Claudia Boyle soprano, Paddy and Maura Rafter, JJ McNamara, The Kilkenny Choir and Patrick Rafter violinist. An extra concert on Friday, December 6 sees Rafter and celebrated Irish pianist, Fiachra Garvey travel to Curtis Auditorium in Cork City for the launch of their debut album where they will perform their entire debut album released under acclaimed British Record Label, Rubicon Classics.
All concerts include complimentary mulled wine and mince pies, and most importantly, a warm welcome. Physical tickets can also be purchased at Frank Wall Man’s Shop, High Street Kilkenny. All concerts are in St Mary’s Cathedral, which offers wheelchair accessibility and easy parking.
Tickets are available online at marblecitymusicfestival.com..
