Chieftains guitarist set for National Opera House residency

Chieftains touring guitarist Redmond O’Toole is set to take up residency in the National Opera House in Wexford this year, curating a series of concerts at the esteemed venue.

The concerts come as part of Music Network’s Artist Residency Programme 2017, a new partnership between Music Network, Wexford County Council and the National Opera House, and are set to bring a range of Irish and international artists to Wexford between June and November.

As well as for his work with the Chieftains, O’Toole is known as one of Ireland’s top classical guitarists, playing the unusual 8-string Brahms guitar in the cello position.

The series will open on the 24 of June with O’Toole playing with the Wexford Sinfonia Orchestra and the RTÉ ConTempo Quartet.

Others announced include traditional Irish musicians Zoë Conway and John McIntyre, Iranian-born and Dublin-based brothers Shaháb and Sháyán Coohe, soprano Sinéad Campbell-Wallace, Italian classical guitarist Oscar Ghiglia and the International Guitar Quartet.

Speaking about the series, O'Toole said,
"The residency has given me a chance to invite and collaborate with some of the most interesting and inspiring musicians that I have met so far in my career in one of the best venues in the country. There is naturally a strong focus on the guitar, but my interest in Irish and world music also feature. I tried to create a series of concerts that would be unique, unusual and exciting for the audience but at the same time would help me develop as a musician."

Tickets for each concert are priced at €20 - full details can be found at nationaloperahouse.ie