A classical homecoming: violinist Patrick Rafter among stellar line-up for 2019 Kilkenny Arts Festival

KILKENNY’S internationally-acclaimed violinist Patrick Rafter is among the stellar line-up confirmed for this year’s Kilkenny Arts Festival.

Kilkenny audiences will get to see Patrick perform with Michael McHale, the Belfast-born pianist, at a very special performance at St John’s Priory on Sunday, August 11 at 3.30pm .

It’s the latest coup for the Kilkenny Arts Festival, which has brought many of the world’s best performers, musicians, writers and artists together to perform in the city since as far back as 1974.

The 2019 line-up also includes Fionnuala Moynihan, Chamber Choir Ireland, Malcolm Proud and Alexander Gavryluk.

The full programme of events, which will be performed in the charmed settings of Kilkenny’s historic churches, courtyards, gardens and castles, will be announced over the coming weeks.

Patrick Rafter’s ‘homecoming’ performance will be a special occasion for classical music lovers.

Born into a musical family, Patrick’s talent was recognised at the age of 12 and he went on to win multiple national awards. He studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music London.

In 2015, Patrick was personally invited to study under Maxim Vengerov at the International Menuhin Music Academy, Switzerland, and has gone on to win several prestigious international awards, performing across Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East.

For more information on the 2019 Kilkenny Arts Festival and to book tickets for events, visit: www.kilkennyarts.ie/about/the-festival/