Westport set for weekend of music
Patrick Rafter is among the performers at the Westport Festival of Chamber Music. Picture: Dylan Vaughan
Westport Festival of Chamber Music is preparing to welcome audiences back to Westport from Thursday to Sunday, September 10 to 13, for four days of outstanding chamber music, international artists and special events.
Taking place across Westport Town Hall Theatre, Holy Trinity Church and Westport Woods Hotel, the 2026 festival brings together an exceptional line-up of musicians from Ireland and around the world, including Doric String Quartet, Diana Ketler, Jose Franch-Ballester, Jakob Koranyi, Hélène Clément, Nuala McKenna, Patrick Rafter, Fiachra Garvey, Ai Lin Sun, Ji Hye Jung and Stephen Waarts.
This year’s programme spans works by Brahms, Fauré, Schubert, Mozart, Stravinsky, Chausson and Schumann, alongside contemporary music by Gabriela Ortiz and David Bruce. A thread of rarely heard 19th-century French and Belgian Romantic music will also run through the festival.
Among the major highlights is the world premiere of David Bruce’s for clarinet, marimba and cello. Commissioned by Chamber Music City in the United States and supported by Westport Festival of Chamber Music, the new work will be performed by Jose Franch-Ballester, Ji Hye Jung and Nuala McKenna at Westport Town Hall Theatre on Saturday evening.
Speaking about the 2026 festival, artistic director Catherine Leonard said: “It is a privilege to bring together musicians of the highest calibre in Westport year after year, and this year’s festival promises that same uncompromising excellence once again. The intimacy of the settings creates a uniquely charged atmosphere for audience and performer alike.
“I look forward to welcoming audiences to Westport.”
Alongside its ticketed concerts, the festival will once again offer free events, including the popular Saturday Balcony Concert at Westport Town Hall Theatre, bringing live music into the heart of the town. The weekend also includes a solo piano recital, a late-night concert and a free event exploring the history of the clarinet.
The full 2026 festival programme, concert times and booking information are available at www.westportchambermusic.ie.
Westport Festival of Chamber Music is funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and receives the support of Mayo County Council, Destination Westport and RTÉ Supporting the Arts for the Festival programme.
