Feis Ceoil 2023 – 127 years of giving young classical musicians the opportunity to perform live as Ireland’s newest music talents in the country converge to make their mark:

The annual Feis Ceoil (‘Festival of Music’) is Ireland’s leading national classical music festival, that platforms many of Ireland’s young gifted musicians over 12 days this March. This intense competitive live performance setting for judges and audiences alike, aim to find the newest talent in the country. The 2023 festival runs at the RDS, showcasing the best classical music as the competitions are fully live with some highlight events being recorded and broadcast later for those who can’t make it to the in-person performances in Dublin.

Supported by the RDS, the Feis Ceoil is an essential element in the musical infrastructure of the country, and throughout the decades almost every classical Irish musician has competed at the Feis. Thousands of young classical musicians from the 32 counties of Ireland compete in over 190 individual music competitions at the festival. Well over half a million musicians have competed at the competition since it began in 1896, with past competitors including James Joyce and Count John McCormack and more recently, pianists John O’Conor and Finghin Collins, singers like Tara Erraught & Celine Byrne and comedian Risteard Cooper.

A selection of the most outstanding competitors from this year’s Feis Ceoil will be showcased at a special Gala Concert in the National Concert Hall on Wednesday 26 April, at 7.30pm. The Gala Concert will be hosted by Laura Gilsenan, CEO of the Feis Ceoil Association and promises to be a triumphant finale to conclude this year’s event. Tickets, from €12.50 on sale from nch.ie !!

2023 FEIS CEOIL HIGHLIGHTS

RDS Concert Hall

Monday 20th March, 2pm, Senior Musical Theatre

Competitors will perform a piece from the musical theatre repertoire.

Tuesday 21st March, 7pm, Choir of the Year Final

The winning choirs from each of the choir competitions will compete against each other in the final for the title of ‘Feis Ceoil Choir of the Year 2023’ and a €3,000 award.

Friday 24th March, 7pm, Dramatic Cup (Opera) Final

Competitors will perform two contrasting operatic arias for the 1st prize of €4,000.

Thursday 30th March, 7pm, Morris Grant Bursary (Senior Piano Final)

The winners of 7 senior piano competitions will compete against each other for this €2,500 Bursary.

Friday 31st March, 7pm, Gervase Elwes Memorial Cup (Senior Vocal Final)

The winners of 9 senior vocal competitions will compete against each other for the award of €1,000.

RDS Dodder Room B

Saturday 25th March, 2pm, Chamber Music Cup

Ensembles of between 3 and 9 musicians perform from the Chamber Music repertoire.