Young artists from Walled City Music and NI Opera to close Derry festival

On 23-26 March, Walled City Music Festival will bring together Young Artists from Northern Ireland Opera, the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Walled City Music Piano Festival to take part in a series of education projects during its festival week, culminating in a Festival-closing performance by the students in the beautiful surroundings of the Great Hall, Ulster University Magee.

NI Opera Young Artists, soprano Petra Wells and baritone Ryan Garnham, will be joined by WCM Piano Festival Young Artist Dida Condria on the afternoon of Sunday 26th March, to perform a variety concert of vocal favourites, not to be missed.

The recital will set off a week of masterclasses, education and outreach work delivered by the festival’s guest artists to participating Young Artists from NI Opera and RIAM, as Walled City Music continues its tradition of inspiring local young musicians, and placing upcoming Irish talent at the heart of its programming alongside established, world-class artists.

Co-Artistic Director of the Festival, Cathal Breslin, said “It has always been at the very center of our core at Walled City Music to give a platform for young Irish musical talent, and the NI Opera and WCM International Piano Festival collaboration represents the most exciting things to come from that.

“We are delighted to continue our ongoing collaboration with NI Opera, and to combine that with a pianist from our Piano Festival is our opportunity to showcase some of the best young talent in Ireland. This is a concert not to be missed!”

Soprano Petra Wells

The line-up of guest artists for the 2023 Festival includes solo pianist Barry Douglas, cellist Raphael Wallfisch with pianist Cathal Breslin, and mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty with pianist Fiachra Garvey, who are all set to perform in Derry’s beautiful Christ Church venue.

Full details of the Walled City Music Festival programme can be found on the WCM website.