The National Concert Hall has announced the programme for New Music Dublin 2017: a partnership between RTÉ, the National Concert Hall, and The Arts Council.

Planned in consultation with internationally-acclaimed composer, conductor and pianist Thomas Adès (pictured below), the vibrant festival, which takes place between Thursday 2nd and Saturday 4th March 2017, will see Adès conduct the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for the Irish concert-performance premiere of a new opera by Gerald Barry, Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, recently co-commissioned by the Barbican, Britten Sinfonia and Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Thomas Adès speaking about the festival said: “I am delighted to be working with Gerald Barry, a long-time collaborator and friend, on devising what I think is an exciting programme of music for New Music Dublin 2017. Aware of the wealth of musical talent that exists in Ireland I am very much looking forward to returning to Dublin to collaborate and perform with such accomplished composers, ensembles, orchestras and performers. This year’s festival has a largely vocal and operatic theme and I am particularly pleased to be conducting the Irish premiere of Barry’s new opera, Alice’s Adventures Under Ground.”

Adès will also conduct the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for the Irish premiere of his epic vocal masterpiece Totentanz with international operatic superstars: the charismatic baritone Simon Keenlyside (who has just finished playing Don Giovanni at the Met in New York), and celebrated Dutch mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn.

In addition, Adès will perform as pianist in an evening of instrumental music with Ireland’s leading new music ensemble, Crash Ensemble, with a programme that includes Gerald Barry’s Lisbon and Adès’ Living Toys, conducted by long-time Adès collaborator, conductor Timothy Redmond.

Tickets cost from from €15 for Main Auditorium performances, and €10 for John Field and Kevin Barry Recital Rooms. There is also a special Festival Package Ticket offer, whereby you can book tickets to the three evening concerts in the Main Auditorium and receive a 15% discount.

Highlights

– Irish premieres of Gerald Barry’s Alice’s Adventures Under Ground and Lisbon
– Irish premieres of Adès’ Totentanz and Living Toys
– Gerald Barry and Thomas Adès to perform piano duets in opening concert
– International operatic superstars perform with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra: Simon Keenlyside & Christianne Stotijn
– Three world premieres: Ed Bennett, Psychedelia; Seán Clancy, Four Lines of Music Slow Down and Eventually Stop; and Stephen Gardner’s Jerk
– New Music Dublin Festival Club – informal performances by Crash Ensemble and Kirkos and an evening curated by Kaleidoscope, featuring works by Irish composers and the premiere of Streets Become Liars by Christopher Mayo
– Tiny Portraits in Tiny Rooms – Crash Ensemble trail in various rooms around the National Concert Hall
– Masterclasses led by Simon Keenlyside and Christianne Stotijn