SUAIMHNEAS
Step away from the hustle and bustle of life... Discover Suaimhneas and relax in a soundworld where music is a balm for the mind. Each Saturday, take thirty minutes to unwind, recharge, and refocus with RTÉ lyric fm - where life sounds calmer.
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 2nd May, 6pm-6.30pm
OPERA NIGHT WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
The Metropolitan Opera New York presents Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky
Following her acclaimed 2024 company debut in Puccini's Madama Butterfly, soprano Asmik Grigorian returns to the Met as Tatiana, the lovestruck young heroine in this ardent operatic adaptation of Pushkin. Baritone Igor Golovatenko reprises his portrayal of the urbane Onegin, who realises his affection for her all too late. The Met's evocative production, directed by Tony Award-winner Deborah Warner, 'offers a beautifully detailed reading of ... Tchaikovsky's lyrical romance' (The Telegraph).
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 2nd May, 7pm-10pm
Photo: Ken Howard | Met Opera
THE LYRIC FEATURE
Me Dog is Buried in Thomond Park
Brothers Ron and Greg Carey, each of whom published their first collection of poetry in their sixties, go back to Limerick, the city of their childhood, which has inspired much of their work. They revisit places they remember, reflect on how the city has changed over the years, and consider what creativity means to them. The broadcast coincides with the beginning of the 2026 Bealtaine Festival, Ireland's national festival celebrating the arts and ageing.
Produced by Claire Cunningham, Sound Supervision by Tinpot Productions. A Rockfinch Production commissioned for the Lyric Feature made with support of Coimisiún na Meán and the RTÉ Independent Radio Productions unit.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 3rd May, 6pm-7pm
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
Evonne Ferguson presents today's Full Score and in our concert today is built on the unique juxtaposition of two solo instruments accompanied by a string ensemble: two violins, transverse flute and baroque oboe, recorder and transverse flute, violin and oboe, as Il Gardellino perform music by Bach. Fasch and Telemann.
Bach: Concerto for Oboe, Violin, Strings and Continuo in C minor, BWV 1060R
Johan Joachim Agrell: Concerto, Op. 4/2
Fasch: Concerto for Transverse Flute, Oboe, and Strings
Vivaldi: Trio Sonata in D minor, RV 63 'La Follia'
Vivaldi: Concerto, RV 541
Telemann: Concerto for Recorder and Flute in E minor, TWV 52:e1
Il Gardellino
RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 4th May, 1pm-4pm
LORCAN MURRAY’S CLASSIC DRIVE
Classic Drive brings you the perfect musical soundtrack, including Lorcan's Pick of the Week: Alessio Bax, Paul Watkins with Beethoven: The Sonatas for Piano and Cello. This album features Beethoven's five cello sonatas and, in doing so, spans much of the composer's career. Paul Watkins is a Welsh cellist and conductor, known for his solo, chamber and orchestral work, and for serving as Music Director of the English Chamber Orchestra. Alessio Bax is an Italian pianist recognised internationally for his lyrical style. And with news, weather and sports, Lorcan's with you all the way!
RTÉ lyric fm, Tuesday 5th May, 4pm-7pm
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
The Solas Quartet perform today's Full Score concert, from the National String Quartet Foundation. Their programme includes new works by two of their members- Katherine Hunka and Marja Gaynor. Liz Nolan presents a showcase of unabridged musical masterworks, featuring live recordings of Irish and international performers, plus selections from the latest CD releases.
Grażyna Bacewicz: String Quartet No.3
Katherine Hunka: Into the clear air
Marja Gaynor: Siúil a Rúin & Paul's Steeple
Schubert: Quartet in A minor Rosamunde
Solas Quartet
Katherine Hunka, violin
Marja Gaynor, violin
Cian Ó Dúill, viola
Aoife Nic Athlaoich, cello
RTÉ lyric fm, Wednesday 6th May, 1pm-4pm
MARTY IN THE MORNING
Join the dawn chorus with Marty for your morning wake-up call with music, competitions, news and weather.
RTÉ lyric fm, Thursday 7th May, 7am-10am
AEDÍN IN THE AFTERNOON
A new release today from acclaimed pianist Alice Sara Ott who presents world premiere recordings of piano transcriptions of the late Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson's most famous works from both his film soundtracks and studio albums. Aedín also features three interesting covers of numbers from Stephen Sondheim's musical Sweeney Todd. On vocals this afternoon, Lisa Hannigan, Ellie O'Neill, Paul Simon, Jessye Norman and a duet from Tony Bennett and K.D. Lang.
RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 8th May, 1pm-4pm
RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
In tonight's live broadcast from the National Concert Hall, violinist Darragh Morgan gives the world premiere of Canto, an evocative work composed for him by Siobhán Cleary. Dedicated to her late sister and inspired by the Italian philosopher-poet Giacomo Leopardi, it is an 'emotional journey shaped by love, fear, and the enduring impact of trauma' that depicts a woman setting out to meet her lover on a moonlit night. Acclaimed conductor, Jessica Cottis returns to National Symphony Orchestra Ireland for a programme also including works by Grieg and Tchaikovsky.
Grieg: Holberg Suite
Siobhán Cleary: Canto (World Premiere NSOI commission)
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4
National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Jessica Cottis, conductor
Darragh Morgan, violin
RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 8th May, 7pm-10pm
Photo: Kaupo Kikkas