Music for Galway presents
Cellissimo
18–26 May 2024
A new international cello festival on the edge of Europe

The international cello festival Cellissimo will takes place in Galway over nine days from 18 to 26 May.

Presented by Music for Galway, the festival features a substantial programme of concerts, masterclasses, world premieres, international and Irish artists, talks, a children’s theatre show, a film screening, an Inishbofin Cello Trail, a student showcase, traditional music sessions, and more.

Featured cellists include Alban Gerhardt, Camille Thomas, Natalie Clein, Jakob Koranyi, Nicolas Alstaedt, Adrian Mantu, Neil Martin, William Butt, Naomi Berrill, Killian White, Catherine Cotter, Cello Ireland and more.

They will be joined by a range of other artists including Finghin Collins, Hugh Tinney, Claudia Boyle, Eimear Noone, Daria van den Bercken, National Symphony Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Matthew Berrill, Stephanie Dufresne and more.

There are also a range of premieres from composers Đuro Živković, Donnacha Dennehy, Garth Knox, Jennifer Walshe, Lasse Thorosen, Kevin O’Connell, Elaine Agnew, Anne-Marie O’Farrell, Hawar Tawfiq, Amanda Feery and Karmit Fadael.

Cellissimo has a significant social and political element, with aspects that explore the ‘two burning issues of our time: climate change and migration’. A central programming strand, Songs of Travel, a partnership with festivals from Sweden (Fairplay Chamber Music), Norway (Valdres Sommersymfoni) and the Netherlands (Piano Biennale), and the Austria gaming company Cause Creations, supported by Creative Europe, aims to develop a sustainable model for specialised music festivals while improving access to contemporary classical music.

The opening concert will feature a keynote address on climate justice by former President of Ireland Mary Robinson.

For full programme details and the festival brochure, see below. For further information and booking, visit https://musicforgalway.ie/cellissimo-2024.

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Cellissimo Festival Programme 2024

Galway Bay is Calling
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 1pm
Leisureland

Galway Jam Circle
Voice of Galway 
Galway Camerata
Naomi Berrill, cello
Matthew Berrill, conductor 

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-galway-bay-is-calling/
www.songsoftravel.eu  

Songs of Travel: The Journey Begins
Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Leisureland

Mary Robinson, speaker
National Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins, conductor
Alban Gerhardt, cello
Jakob Koranyi, cello
Finghin Collins, piano

DJURO ZIVKOVIC. Cello and piano concerto
MARY ROBINSON. Keynote address on Climate Justice
SHOSTAKOVICH. Cello concerto No. 2
MENDELSSOHN. Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage 

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-the-journey-begins/
www.songsoftravel.eu  

Songs of Travel: Interactive Comic Premiere
Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Black Box Theatre

Daria van den Bercken, piano
Bogdan Sofei, violin
Jakob Koranyi, cello
Macdara O Seireadáin, clarinet
Alex Petcu, percussion
Anna Lardi, gamer

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/interactive-comic-premiere/
www.songsoftravel.eu  

The Story of a Cello
Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Black Box Theatre

Irish Chamber Orchestra
Katherine Hunka, director
Camille Thomas, cello

SIBELIUS  Andante Festivo
CPE BACH Cello Concerto in A minor WQ170
CHOPIN (arr. Franchomme) Funeral March / Raindrop Prelude
FRANCHOMME Air Russe Varié
GRIEG Holberg Suite

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-irish-chamber-orchestra/

International Student Programme – Masterclasses
Cellissimo 2024 includes an International Student Programme (ISP) that will take place in Galway city from 20 May to 24 May 2024. Eight recent graduates from across Europe will take part in the Masterclasses, have the opportunity to perform pop-up concerts in Galway and also take part in the Cellissimo Spectacular concert and the student showcase concert. The masterclasses are free and will take place at Nun’s Island Theatre and be accompanied by pianist Dearbhla Brosnan.

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-masterclass-programme/

Bach Plus Series
A Tale of Sixes! Just as the six monumental Bach Cello Suites form the core of the entire solo cello repertoire, the Bach Plus Series forms the core of Cellissimo. Each day at 1.00pm, starting on Monday 20th May, we present a different cellist in the heart of Galway, in the historic setting of St Nicholas Collegiate Church. Six days, six suites, six cellists. But that is not all. Music for Galway has commissioned six new solo cello works from six different Irish composers, one of which will be premiered each day alongside its partner suite. 

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-bach-plus-series/

Classic Hour with Alban Gerhardt & Hugh Tinney
Monday, May 20, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Town Hall Theatre

Alban Gerhardt, cello
Hugh Tinney, piano

DEBUSSY Sonata 
PROKOFIEV Sonata in C major Op. 119
BEETHOVEN Sonata in A major Op. 69

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-classic-hour-alban-and-hugh/

Cellissimo Ambassador Evening
Monday, May 20, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Town Hall Theatre

Catherine Cotter, cello
Finghin Collins, piano

CARL MARIA CON WEBER Adagio and Rondo
FAURÉ Papillon
SHOSTAKOVICH Sonata for cello and piano

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-ambassador-evening/

The Song of The Trees
Tuesday 21st to Friday 24th May
Town Hall Theatre

Little John Nee, narrator
Neil Martin, cello

The show will be approximately 45 minutes long. Suitable for audiences aged 8 upwards. Directed by Marc Mac Lochlainn.

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-home-abhaile/

Classic Hour with Killian White & Daria van den Bercken
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Town Hall Theatre

Killian White, cello
Daria van den Bercken, piano 

BEETHOVEN Variations on a Theme from “The Magic Flute”
BOCCHERINI Rondo
SCHUMANN Adagio and Allegro Op. 70
RAVEL Habanera
CHOPIN Introduction and Polonaise Brillante
TCHAIKOVSKY October
PAGANINI Moses variations 

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-classic-hour-with-killian-white-daria-van-den-bercken/

Songs of Travel: Every Minute Opens Doors
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Town Hall Theatre

Adedotun Adekeye, speaker
Rachel Croach, soprano
Jakob Koranyi, cello
Bogdan Sophie, violin
Finghin Collins, piano

LASSE THORESEN Every Minute Opens Doors
ADEDOTUN ADEKEYE Keynote Address on Migration
BEETHOVEN Irish Folk Song arrangements

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-every-minute/

Songs of Travel: Voyage
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Town Hall Theatre

Daria van den Bercken, piano
Bogdan Sofei, violin
Jakob Koranyi, cello
Macdara O’Seireadáin, clarinet
Alex Petcu, percussion
Rachel Croash, soprano

HAWAR TAWFIQ Voyage (world premiere) 
MESSIAEN Quartet for the End of Time

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-empathy-sot/

National Symphony Orchestra with Eimear Noone
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Leisureland

National Symphony Orchestra
Eimear Noone, conductor
Adrian Mantu, cello

TAN DUN Crouching Tiger Cello Concerto
ELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor Op. 85, first movement
EIMEAR NOONE & CRAIG STUART GARFINKLE The Canterville Ghost Suite
AUSTIN WINTORY Nascence & Apotheosis from “Journey”
EIMEAR NOONE & CRAIG STUART GARFINKLE “Malach” from World of Warcraft
Further programme details to be announced.

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-national-symphony-orchestra-with-eimear-noone/

Classic Hour with Natalie Clein & Finghin Collins
Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Town Hall Theatre

Natalie Clein, cello
Finghin Collins, piano

BRAHMS Sonata in E minor Op. 38 
LIGETI Sonata for solo cello
BRAHMS/PIATTI Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/classic-hour-with-natalie-clein-and-finghin-collins/

Songs of Travel: Pack Your Bags
Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Town Hall Theatre

Pól O’Conghaile, speaker
Killian White, cello
Stephanie Dufresne, dance artist

BACH Prelude Sarabande and Gigue from Suite No. 6 in D minor
PÓL O’CONGHAILE TALK: 10 Secrets for Sustainable Travel
KARMIT FADAEL New work for cello and dance artist (world premiere)

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-sustainable-travel-sot/

Student Showcase Concert
Friday, May 24, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Town Hall Theatre

Cheng-An Chan, cello
Hangwen Feng, cello
Margarita Guerrero, cello
Kokoro Ryu, cello
Lena Marie Schulz, cello
Clara Hope Simpson, cello
Francesco Tamburini, cello
Yixi Zia, cello
Dearbhla Brosnan, piano

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-student-showcase-concert/

Nicolas Altstaedt & Friends
Friday, May 24, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Town Hall Theatre

Nicolas Altstaedt, cello
José Gallardo, piano
Barnabas Kelemen, violin

NADIA BOULANGER Trois Pièces pour violoncelle et piano
MARTINU Variations on a Slovak Theme  
KODÁLY Duo for violin and cello
DVORÁK Dumky Trio

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-nicolas-altstaedt-friends/

Songs of Travel: Evaluation Workshop
Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 11:00 am
Siobhan Mckenna Theatre, University of Galway

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/songs-of-travel-evaluation-workshop/

Documentary Film Screening “Living the Tradition”
Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Nun’s Island Theatre
Followed by Q&A session with Isle de Ziah

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/film-living-the-tradition/

The CELLISSIMO SPECTACULAR
Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Leisureland

Cello Ireland
Eight international cello students
Amateur cellists of all ages
Claudia Boyle, soprano
Adrian Mantu, cello
Nicolas Altstaedt, cello
Catherine Cotter, cello

VIVALDI Double Cello Concerto
PIAZZOLLA La Muerte del Angel and Oblivion
CACCINI Ave Maria
VILLA-LOBOS Bachianas Brasilieras No 5
DANIEL McDERMOTT Derecho
ARVO PÄRT Summa
TCHAIKOVSKY Andante Cantabile
FAURÉ, arr. SIMON PARKIN Pavane 
BACH, arr. SIMON PARKIN Jig 

Inishbofin Cello Trail
Sunday, May 26, 2024 at 8:00 am
Galway Cathedral Carpark – departing at 8am sharp

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-inishbofin-cello-trail/

Cellissimo Festival Club
Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 10:00 pm
JEKYLL – Hyde Bar Galway

Visit https://musicforgalway.ie/event/cellissimo-festival-club

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