The Glenarm Festival of Voice will take place from 22-24 August 2025.
Now in its fifteenth year, the festival includes three free BBC Radio 3 recitals to experience, which will be recorded live for national broadcast in the autumn, a morning of free children’s activities and an afternoon recital in The Coach House at Glenarm Castle, and a thrilling vocal competition featuring five young opera singers selected from across the island of Ireland.
The four finalists selected for 2025 are: Éadaoin Hassett (soprano), Aimee Kearney (soprano), Clare Quinn (soprano) and Jacq Herbots (tenor). The Peter Rankin Piano Intern is Orlaith Sharkey.
This year’s BBC Radio 3 Recitals have been curated along the theme of ‘Landscapes’ by Simon Lepper who will accompany the three artists performing this year, mezzo soprano Carolyn Dobbin, baritone James Atkinson and tenor Santiago Sanchez.
The draw to apply for tickets has now closed for these events, but you can still book tickets for Carolyn Dobbin’s afternoon concert at Glenarm Castle below, and our Competition Finale too.
FESTIVAL EVENTS
Friday 22 August
- 8pm: BBC Radio 3 Recital with Northern Irish mezzo soprano Carolyn Dobbin and pianist Simon Lepper
Saturday 23rd August
- 10am to midday: Free children’s drama and craft activities in The Coach House, Glenarm Castle with Bobbi Rai-Purdy and Debra Hill – recommended ages 7-11.
- 3pm to 4pm: ‘From Old To New’ Ulster Scots Song, performed by mezzo soprano Carolyn Dobbin, exploring the traditions and influences of Ulster Scots Song on classical and contemporary music. Tickets are £10
- 8pm: BBC Radio 3 Recital in St Patrick’s Church, Glenarm with baritone and BBC New Generation Artist James Atkinson and pianist Simon Lepper
Sunday 24 August
- 1.30pm: BBC Radio 3 Recital in St Patrick’s Church, Glenarm, with tenor and BBC New Generation Artist Santiago Sanchez and pianist Simon Lepper
- 6.30pm: The Competition Finale, hosted by our Patron, Sean Rafferty, showcases five singers selected from entrants from across the island of Ireland who compete in front of a live jury panel to win the Deborah Voigt Opera Prize and become the NI Opera Young Opera Voice of 2025. There is a Song Prize award and the Kathryn Harries Audience Prize, voted for by the audience during a short interval on the night.
Festival Patrons: The Earl and Countess of Antrim
Vice Patron: Richard Hamilton
Vice Patron: Ben McAteer
Song Prize: Sponsored by Dr Graeme Hacking