Countdown Begins for 19th New Ross Piano Festival

The excitement is building in New Ross as the two-week countdown begins for the 19th New Ross Piano Festival which opens on Tuesday September 24th and runs until Sunday September 28th at St Mary’s Church.

The 2025 festival features a stellar line-up of international stars Irish favourites and talented newcomers with nine concerts set to captivate audiences of all ages. From classical piano solos to duets and dynamic quartets there’s something for every music lover to enjoy. The festival begins with the Young Pianists Concert on Wednesday 24th showcasing local talent as young musicians take to the international stage at St Mary’s Church. On Thursday 25th the legendary John O’Conor returns to perform a selection of beloved works by Schubert and Beethoven. Artistic Director Finghin Collins will perform highlights from his latest CD on Friday 26th with music inspired by the iconic French piano brand Pleyel including works by Chopin Debussy and Joseph O’Kelly. On Saturday 27th rising star Danae Dörken makes her Irish debut with her acclaimed ‘Odyssey’ programme while Daniel Lebhardt and the Castalian Quartet will close the evening with Bloch’s Piano Quintet. The popular Coffee Concerts return this year featuring young competition winners including David Vesey from Ireland Magdelene Ho from Malaysia and Shunta Morimoto from Japan. On Saturday afternoon festivalgoers can enjoy a special concert celebrating the golden age of film and theatre as the Duo Pianistico present ‘Broadway and Hollywood in Stride & Swing’ — a crowd-pleasing performance of film scores and Broadway hits. The festival wraps up on Sunday 28th with a powerful finale featuring Daniel Lebhardt performing Liszt and a closing performance of Dvorak’s Piano Quintet by Finghin Collins and the Castalian Quartet. Music fans can also attend a free masterclass with John O’Conor and two young pianists on Saturday offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at the festival’s musical magic. Speaking ahead of the opening Finghin Collins said “With less than two weeks to go excitement is building across New Ross. The community always comes together to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere and we look forward to sharing this year’s festival with everyone.” Tickets and full programme details available at: www.newrosspianofestival.com