RIAM Chorale

The RIAM Chorale was founded in September 2003 by James Cavanagh. It is current director is Blánaid Murphy, Director of Choral Music at St Mary’s Pro- Cathedral, who has artistically led this elegant ensemble since 2005.  Soloists with the group are generally drawn from members of the Chorale, all of whom are students of the RIAM.  

Since its foundation, the Chorale has performed in Dublin Castle, the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Concert Hall, St Stephen’s Church (“the Pepper Canister”), the University Church, St Stephen’s Green, and on RTÉ Radio 1.

In recent years, the Chorale has performed Handel’s Messiah, formed the chorus for the composer’s magnificent opera Semele in St Werburgh’s Church in 2012 and joined forces with the RIAM Symphony Orchestra in March of the same year for a performance of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony at the National Concert Hall.  

In 2013, the Chorale performed a concert in St Werburgh’s Church as part of Temple Bar TradFest and collaborated with Trinity College Library for a performance at Trinity College Chapel.  Other important performances include Mozart’s Requiem with the RIAMSO under the baton of Blánaid Murphy at the National Concert Hall and Britten’s monumental War Requiem, again with the RIAMSO, conducted by James Cavanagh.   

Most recently, the Chorale has delighted audiences with its performances of Tarik O’Regan’s The Ecstasies Above with Chamber Choir Ireland, Kevin O’Connell’s Mass, and Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb and Tippett’s Five Spirituals from A Child of Our Time, all in the magnificent setting of St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street