Welcome to the 2010 Chamber Music Festival

There is a saying that life begins at 40, but in the case of Music in Great Irish Houses, life actually began exactly 40 years ago when the seeds of the Festival were planted in one of the most iconic of Ireland‘s Palladian style mansions . Ever since that first concert in Castletown House, Celbridge, then the home of the Hon. Desmond Guinness, the Festival has attracted artists of the calibre of renowned guitarist John Williams who played in the first week at another historic Irish building, Carton House, setting the tone for the Summer musical celebration ever since.

Foreword
The vision of the founder David Laing, coupled with the drive and enthusiasm of those who followed his first steps at the helm remain a cornerstone of what is now a significant landmark in Irish cultural life...
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Artistic Director's Introduction
“Chamber music”, wrote Gabriel Fauré “is true music and the most sincere expression of a genuine personality.” For 40 years Music in Great Irish Houses has afforded Irish audiences the opportunity to hear a wealth of extraordinary musical personalities performing a vast range of this “true music” in the magnificent settings of many of our historic buildings. Amongst the hundreds of musical luminaries who have visited our shores under the Festival’s auspices are pianists Vladimir Ashkenazy and Krystian Zimerman, guitarist John Williams, cellist Steven Isserlis and singers Ute Lemper, Frederica von Stade and Dame Janet Baker. The Festival has equally provided both a platform and collaborative opportunities for many of our own Irish artists including Barry Douglas, John O’Conor, Bernadette Greevy, Patricia Bardon and Orla Boylan. This year’s big 4-0 celebrations continues the tradition of presenting great music and great musicians in some of our greatest Irish houses!..
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