FESTIVAL 2023.
HANDELFEST 2023.
The annual Dublin HandelFest celebrates and explores the rich cultural legacy left by Handel’s visit to the city in 1741-1742.
Dublin HandelFest 2023 featured performances by Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra, Claire Duff, Malcolm Proud, the IBO Apprentices and Pablo FitzGerald. Dublin HandelFest 2023 also offered two insightful walking tours taking intrepid explorers back to Handel’s Dublin, and children had the opportunity to find out what happens when you cross a giraffe with a guitar.
Digital Festival programmes are available here.
Mr Charles the Hungarian - Handel's Rival in Dublin
Cushion Concerts - A Giraffe Meets a Guitar
Walking Tour - Theatres and Concert Halls of Handelian Dublin
FRIDAY JULY 14th, 19:30
St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle
Mr Charles was an eccentric character who travelled to Dublin in 1742, and attempted to make a fortune through putting on performances of Handel's music, while the composer himself was in the city.
SATURDAY JULY 15th, 10:00 & 11:00
Poddle Room, The Printworks, Dublin Castle
Illuminated by music from the past, on site at Dublin Castle, children develop their musical skills through clapping, singing and dancing in these 45 minute ‘Cushion Concerts’ – fun for all the family!
SATURDAY JULY 15th, 14:00
Meet at the Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle
Led by historian Stuart Kinsella, Research Advisor at Christ Church Cathedral, this tour explores the music venues that would have existed during Handel’s time in the city.
Journeys Through Time and Space
Young Artists Showcase
SATURDAY JULY 15th, 14:00
Poddle Room, The Printworks, Dublin Castle
Workshop leader and former IBO Apprentice, Jenna Raggett, will be joined by the Irish Baroque Orchestra Apprentices to guide refugee families through a musical exploration of Handel’s journey to Dublin.
SATURDAY JULY 15th, 18:00
Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle
The Irish Baroque Orchestra Apprentices present a programme featuring works by Handel, exploring some of the wider musical context around his work. The future of historical performance in Ireland is in safe hands!
Cushion Concerts - Mini Time Travellers
SUNDAY JULY 16th, 10:00 & 11:00
Poddle Room, The Printworks, Dublin Castle
Join Jenna and the IBO Apprentices for a little trip back in time to Handel's Dublin!
Walking Tour - Theatres and Concert Halls of Handelian Dublin
Baroque Gems of London: Handel & Mattheis
Paddy's Trumpeters
SUNDAY JULY 16th, 2pm
Meet at the Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle
Led by historian Stuart Kinsella, Research Advisor at Christ Church Cathedral, this tour explores the performing venues that would have resonated with Handel's music in 1742.
SUNDAY JULY 16th, 19:30
Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle
Handel & Mattheis; both musical geniuses, and both newcomers hoping to forge a successful career in London. Join Claire Duff & Malcolm Proud in recital.
What's a castle without trumpeters?
Join us during the festival weekend to hear our troupe of trumpeters, from the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Pop Up Performances
Friday 14th July: 19.00, 19.10, 19.20
In the quadrangle at Dublin Castle
Kindly supported by Patrick Morton