Programme of Events

Join us for the opening gala concert of the 2024 Walled City Music Festival as we welcome the distinguished Piatti Quartet (UK) renowned for their ‘profound music making’ (The Strad) and ‘lyrical warmth’ (BBC Music Magazine).

The prize-winning quartet are famed for their diverse programming and for passionate interpretations across the spectrum of quartet writing, and will perform alongside Co-Artistic Directors of the Festival Sabrina Hu (flute) and Cathal Breslin (piano) in the beautiful and atmospheric setting of Christ Church.

‘Hidden Gems’ celebrates underrepresented composers and promises an exquisite journey through diverse styles of music including the rich romanticism of American composer Amy Beach, the prolific, yet rarely performed Ina Boyle, the contemporary brilliance of Belfast-born Deirdre Gribbin, and the musical genius of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

Get ready for a musical journey the whole family will love! Join Northern Ireland’s premier symphony orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, led by the dynamic David Brophy, in an unforgettable family-friendly concert featuring beloved film scores, timeless opera hits and popular orchestral classics.

Experience the magic of orchestral music with guest performances by one of Ireland’s leading sopranos, Ailish Tynan, and Derry-born pianist Cathal Breslin.

Walled City Music Festival is delighted to present new music duo, Nathan Sherman (viola) and Alex Petcu (percussion) for an afternoon of brand new compositions in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre Ireland (CMC) and the PRS Foundation Beyond Borders scheme.

Featured composers include Derry-born Kevin O’Connell, award-winning Armagh composer Áine Mallon, internationally-acclaimed Ed Bennett, saxophonist, composer, producer and educator Nick Roth, Swedish composer Karen Rehnqvist, and a world premiere by Benjamin Dwyer, titled Lagantong.

This concert will also feature a pre-concert chat with some of the composers and the Director of CMC, Evonne Ferguson, exploring the inspiration for their works.

Don’t miss a magical evening with one of Ireland’s finest sopranos, Ailish Tynan, in the beautiful setting of the Great Hall, Ulster University Campus Magee, accompanied by Co-Artistic Director of the Festival and pianist, Cathal Breslin.

The former BBC Singer of the World has established herself as one of the foremost operatic singers in the country and performs regularly with the top orchestras and in recital at festivals and venues across the UK and Ireland.

Ailish will perform a sumptuous programme of Fauré, Schubert and Wolf, as well as a selection of traditional Irish folksongs on this St Patrick’s Day weekend recital.

Join us this St Patrick’s Day for a late afternoon gala variety concert celebrating the musical sons and daughters of Derry with an eclectic and wide-ranging programme of Irish melodies, hits from the musicals and popular classical works.

The fifteenth Walled City Music Festival will come to a rousing finish with soprano Margaret Keys, tenor George Hutton, cellist Kim Vaughan, saxophonist Gerard McChrystal and Co-Artistic Director of the Festival, Cathal Breslin (piano).

Join us after the St Patrick’s Day parade in the gorgeous setting of Christ Church at 4.30pm.