The Royal Irish Academy of Music looks forward to a vibrant programme of events with exciting performances by world-class artists, leading Irish musicians and rising pre-professional talents, in addition to collaborations with Irish and international institutions including Wigmore Hall, The Juilliard School and IADT Dún Laoghaire.
The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) is delighted to announce an exciting season of events featuring a roster of acclaimed Irish and international artists, rising stars studying full-time music performance at undergraduate or postgraduate level, and a wide array of musicians representing the Junior Academy and Adult Division. In the year ahead, RIAM will offer audiences a myriad of opportunities to experience its vibrant pool of talent, with public performances, concert series and large-scale musical projects, both in its transformed campus in Dublin's Westland Row, and in venues across the city and further afield.
Speaking on wealth of what is on offer to Irish audiences during the 2025/2026 Season, Deborah Kelleher, Director of the RIAM stated: “At RIAM, we live in music. It is the language through which our passionate learning community expresses itself, grows and flourishes. This year’s programme is a vibrant reflection of that spirit - an invitation to witness the artistry, ambition and imagination that define our Academy. Whether you are a long-time supporter or a first-time visitor, we invite you to join us in this season of musical discovery. Come and experience the joy, the excellence, and the flourishing that defines RIAM”
Throughout the 2026/2026 academic year, RIAM students take centre stage in a rich tapestry of competitions, concerts, masterclasses and festivals, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication. We are delighted to continue our cherished Wigmore Series Dublin, now in its third season, bringing world-class artists, including cellist Steven Isserlis, violinist Isabelle Faust and the Belcea Quartet, to Irish audiences through our valued partnership with Wigmore Hall, supported by Clinch Wealth Management. Our 2026 Dublin Piano Series highlights the brilliance of RIAM’s Keyboard Faculty, whose artistry and mentorship shape the next generation of performers, whilst also affording piano enthusiasts and newcomers alike the chance to experience the richness of the piano repertoire.
We also celebrate the achievements of our many thousands of RIAM Exams candidates across Ireland, whose musical journeys are honoured through the Spotlight Awards, sponsored by ACE Autobody. We eagerly anticipate our series of regional and gala concerts in Carlow, Ennis, Ballyshannon and Dublin, that will bring their accomplishments to local communities. These events are a joyful affirmation of RIAM’s national reach and its commitment to nurturing musical excellence at every level.
The classical canon remains a cornerstone of our programming. This year, we draw inspiration from the world of fairy tales in our opera productions - stories that will enchant and challenge in equal measure with Ravel’s L'enfant et les sortiléges (The Child & the Spells) and Xavier Montsalvatge’s El gato con botas (Puss in Boots). Our RIAM Philharmonia continues to thrive, welcoming new conductors, including the Golden Globe nominee Brian Byrne, and presenting the first Irish performances of works by Fazil Say, Dani Howard and María Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir’s that push the boundaries of symphonic performance. We also look forward to two special performances by the vibrant RIAM Chamber Orchestra, led and directed by RIAM’s Head of Strings, Diane Daly.
ChamberFest Dublin has become a beloved fixture in the city’s cultural calendar, and this year promises another unforgettable celebration of intimate, expressive music-making. We also enjoy challenging the canon, and this year’s bold non-verbal opera, When Forests Sing, will certainly do that. A co-created work featuring RIAM students and those living with a disability, this opera is a natural boundary-pusher and is made possible with the support of Rethink Ireland.
We are proud to deepen our international collaborations, with performance projects and exchanges throughout the year involving The Juilliard School in New York, Conservatorio Claudio Monteverdi in Bolzano, Conservatorio di Milano, and HMT Leipzig. These partnerships enrich our community and broaden the artistic networks of our students, with new friendships formed that we hope will last for their lifetimes.
For further information on these and other RIAM events please visit https://riam.ie/whats-on/