Patrick Rafter heads up the incredible Marble City Music Festival for their Christmas concerts from Thursday November 28th to Sunday 6th December in St Mary’s Cathedral in Kilkenny City.
The festival outlook is simple – great music and brilliant atmospheres. So it makes sense to have some complimentary mulled wine & mince pies, all while listening to glorious music played by some of Ireland’s greatest musicians. Musicians include 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, and a violin and piano recital.
On Thursday 28th, Rafter joins forces with Ailbhe McDonagh – the first ever Irish cellist in history to record Bach’s 6 Suites for solo cello. Included in the programme will be the 1st and 3rd cello suites.
On Friday 29th November, 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 exciting chamber music.
Saturday 30th November 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. The programme is an incredible mix of virtuoso and profound works including the epic Ravel Sonata No. 2.
Sunday 1st December at 4 PM is entitled ‘A Family Christmas’ and features an incredible line up of musicians: Claudia Boyle soprano, Paddy and Maura Rafter, JJ McNamara, The Kilkenny Choir and Patrick Rafter violinist. Friday 6th December sees Rafter and Garvey travel to Curtis Auditorium in Cork City for another launch of their album.
Tickets online at www.marblecitymusicfestival.com. Physical tickets can also be purchased at Frank Wall Man’s Shop, High Street Kilkenny. All concerts in St. Mary’s Cathedral are wheelchair accessible with easy parking. All concerts include complimentary mulled wine and mince pies, and most importantly, a warm welcome. Follow Marble City Music Festival on Facebook and Instagram for videos, updates and more!
