Our featured May 2024 Festival Rising Stars are Irish bassoonist Maria O’Dea and pianist Luke Lally Maguire, both of whom are currently studying at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Maria O’Dea has been playing bassoon since age eleven, where she initially studied with John Hearne at TUDublin Conservatoire. She is currently studying in London as an undergraduate at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the tuition of Daniel Jemison. Outside of Guildhall, Maria has immersed herself in both Irish and UK music, performing with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Esker Festival Orchestra, Fidelio Orchestra, and is currently taking part in Ulster Orchestra’s professional experience scheme. In the last year she has had the pleasure of working with Irish Heritage, performing at Wigmore Hall and the Royal Oversea’s League.

Luke Lally Maguire is a London based Irish pianist currently studying at Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he has recently completed his Masters in Performance, and is continuing his studies on the Artist Diploma programme under the tutilege of Carole Presland, Charles Owen and Ronan O’Hora. In January 2023, Luke made his solo recital debut in the Kevin Barry Room at the National Concert Hall and has recently performed in Wigmore Hall as part of the Irish Heritage Music Bursary auditions where he was the recipient of the Music Bursary for Performance valued at £5000.

Maria and Luke have selected a varied programme that shows off just what the beautiful bassoon can do, ranging from Schumann’s lyrical Fantasiestucke, to Hindemith’s darkly expressive and André Previn’s jazz-tinged bassoon sonata.

DATE & TIME
Saturday 18th May 2024, 11:30am

VENUE
St. Mary’s Church, Blessington
TICKET INFO
€10 (+ booking fee)

For group bookings or for those having any issues booking, please contact manager [at] westwicklowfestival.com

ARTISTS
Maria O’Dea / bassoon
Luke Lally Maguire / piano

PROGRAMME
Grovlez – Sicilienne et Allegro giocoso
Schumann – Fantasiestucke
Ravel – Sonatine
Hindemith – Bassoon Sonata Previn Bassoon Sonata
The winning work from the WWF Composition Competition, in partnership with CMC Ireland, will also be premiered.