MOVIES AND MUSICALS WITH AEDÍN GORMLEY
Join Aedín for her annual, not to be missed, seasonal soundtrack of songs and festive film favourites. From Willy Wonka to It's a Wonderful Life, The Wizard of Oz to White Christmas, Elf to ET and Home Alone to How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Hit songs from Frozen, Mary Poppins and The Polar Express. Your favourite things guaranteed!
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 20th December, 1pm-4pm
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OPERA NIGHT WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
The Irish Baroque Orchestra's annual production of Handel's Messiah is an established highlight of the December calendar. It is performed on period instruments and with chorus, capturing Handel's much-loved work in all its original colour and splendour. Hailed as a master of sacred and secular music, Handel's talent of composing for voice and instrument shines through in Messiah, which Irish audiences first took to their hearts in 1742. This production is led by Peter Whelan, Artistic Director of IBO, with the IBO's own choir.
Mary Bevan, soprano
Jess Dandy, contralto
Alexander Chance, countertenor
Nathan Mercieca, countertenor
Anthony Gregory, tenor
Seán Boylan, baritone
William Gaunt, bass
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 20th December, 7pm-10pm
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WEEKEND CLASSICS WITH CLAUDIA BOYLE
Soprano Claudia Boyle sets the mood for a relaxing weekend. Whether you are catching up on things, chilling out or enjoying leisure activities, unwind to some of the world's most beautiful classical music. Claudia promises lots of treats on the show including her Musical Menu where she looks at Classical Music connections with food and drink; she will have many musical greats on the show (excluding herself!) in Divas and Divos. There will be something for the little ones in the house in Claudia's Kids' Classics plus the show will be topped off with new releases and much loved melodies from across the genres. Join Claudia Saturday and Sunday from 4pm as she brings you the ultimate weekend playlist. Don't forget to listenback to all this year's Choirs for Christmas entries on the lyric fm webpage but today is a special day so turn the volume up wherever you are as Claudia announces the winners of this year's Choirs for Christmas competition!
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 21st December, 4pm-6pm
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AMBIENT ORBIT
Against the backdrop of a dramatic neolithic landscape Ambient Orbit brings you a special winter solstice broadcast live from Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery in Co. Sligo, home to Ireland's oldest megalithic tombs on December 21st, the longest night of the year.
Join us from the heart of neolithic north-west Ireland where the remains of over 35 passage tombs constructed over 6,000 years ago are found, for a tranquil mix of music, on site ambience and live musical performances from Jennifer Moore, Brendan Jenkinson and Risteárd Ó hAodha. Tune in for musical folklore and solstice celebrations, wherever you are, on the longest night of the year.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 21st December, 7pm-9pm
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THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
All this week on The Full Score, we'll hear highlights from Chamber Choir Ireland's Christmas 2023 concert, 'Seeing the Star' with guest conductor, Andrew Synnott. It features works by Eoghan Desmond, Messiaen, Jan Sandström, Poulenc, James MacMillan, Rhona Clarke, and Levente Gyöngyösi.
Our Full Score concert today comes from the Euroradio Christmas Music Day, a day of shared festive music across the European Broadcasting Union. We'll hear music from the Italian Baroque performed by the Gabetta Consort. (Presented by Shirley Keane)
RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 22nd December, 1pm-4pm
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LORCAN MURRAY'S CLASSIC DRIVE
Classic Drive brings you the perfect musical soundtrack, including Lorcan's Pick of the Week: Cuban Christmas from Sarah Willis and The Sarahbanda. Together they inject the colourful, contagious energy of Cuban music into a selection of timeless holiday classics. The album further includes works by Bach and Tchaikovsky - these too reimagined with Cuban flair. And with news, weather and sports, Lorcan's with you all the way!
RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 22nd December, 4pm-7pm
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THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
All this week on The Full Score, we'll hear highlights from Chamber Choir Ireland's Christmas 2023 concert, 'Seeing the Star' with guest conductor, Andrew Synnott.
Our concert today comes from Kyiv and combines European classical Christmas music with Ukrainian folk traditions interpreted through choral arrangements. We'll hear Saint-Saëns Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12, for soloists, chorus, orchestra and organ performed by members of the National Opera of Ukraine. (Presented by Shirley Keane)
RTÉ lyric fm, Tuesday 23rd December, 1pm-4pm
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MYSTERY TRAIN WITH JOHN KELLY
Mystery Train is a nightly journey through the many wonders of recorded music - from its vintage glories to the latest sounds. Essential listening for the discerning music fan. Presented by Donal Dineen.
RTÉ lyric fm, Tuesday 23rd December, 7pm-9pm
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THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
As the excitement builds, we've a special concert for listeners of all ages on today's Full Score - a tribute to the genius of John Williams.
What would films like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones or Harry Potter be without his music? John Williams gave all these blockbusters their unmistakable sound. His soundtracks provide so much more than catchy tunes; they lend depth and nuance to both stories and characters. Stéphane Denève conducts the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
All this week on The Full Score, we'll hear highlights from Chamber Choir Ireland's Christmas 2023 concert, 'Seeing the Star' with guest conductor, Andrew Synnott. (Presented by Elspeth Hanson)
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Eve, 24th December, 1pm-4pm
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CHRISTMAS IN KILMAINHAM PRESENTED BY MARTY WHELAN
Join Marty Whelan on this magical night for a special Christmas broadcast from the spectacular grounds of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Joined by special guests including Imelda May, The High Kings, Dublin Gay Men's Chorus and Diva Voces directed by Duncan Brickenden, the concert also includes a very special appearance from a visiting Palestinian choir, plus Lisa McHugh and Garron Noone. Featuring the RTÉ Concert Orchestra under the baton of Karen Ní Bhroin, tune in for a night of music, magic, and holiday cheer.
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Eve, 24th December, 9pm-10pm
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OÍCHE CHIÚIN WITH AEDÍN GORMLEY
Aedín Gormley brings you a special programme of her favourite mellow seasonal music. As we head towards the big day, Aedín will be playing favourites from classic movies and reflective, joyful tunes to make spirits bright. We know that this can be a challenging time of year for all sorts of reasons and so we offer this beautiful programme of music as a space for calm and reflection amid the flurry. We hope you can sit back and join Aedín as she guides us through her selection of alluring winter music to calm and soothe.
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Eve, 24th December, 10pm-12am
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MARTY IN THE MORNING
While Santa's enjoying a well-earned day off, Marty's in studio for a Christmas morning celebration. Tune in as he unwraps a glittering gift bag of festive carols and Christmas favourites that even the Grinch would enjoy. We'll jingle all the way with Andrea Bocelli, hear a Christmas tale read by Marty himself, and enjoy perennial favourites from Frank Sinatra, Cliff Richard and Ella Fitzgerald. We can't guarantee a White Christmas, but with Marty it's always merry and bright.
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Day, 25th December, 8am-10am
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RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
Celine Byrne - A Christmas Celebration
Experience the magic of Christmas with internationally acclaimed soprano Celine Byrne. Recorded at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Celine brings us an elegant and heart-warming concert that brings the joy, peace, and sparkle of the holidays to life through the power of song. Joined by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Celine will perform a glorious selection of captivating Christmas Carols as well as much-loved operatic arias. Celine's programme will include favourites such as O Holy Night, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Silent Night, Dream the Impossible Dream and much more.
RTÉ lyric fm, Christmas Day, 25th December, 7pm-9pm
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CENTURIES OF CHRISTMAS WITH VLAD SMISHKEWYCH
Centuries of Christmas with Vlad Smishkewych: Travels and Traditions. Vlad's annual Christmas specials explore unique traditions on the day after Christmas - through music! From St. Stephen's Day wren-hunts and gift boxes, to carolling in the Americas, Spain, Eastern Europe and more, there so are many musical connections to explore. (Who knows, you may even get to hear about some of Vlad's favourite traditional seasonal recipes, garnished with a musical accompaniment!)
RTÉ lyric fm, St. Stephen's Day, 26th December, 8am-10am
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RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
Irish Baroque Orchestra present Bach's Christmas Oratorio
From the jubilant opening chorus 'Jauchzet, frohlocket' to the serene and tender arias, every note of Bach's Christmas Oratorio celebrates the nativity story with reverence and exuberance. First performed for Christmas in 1734, the Christmas Oratorio comprises six cantatas, each intended for performance on a feast day in the Christmas period. In this performance the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Chorus present all six cantatas, for an immersive and enriching audience experience full of joy and peace.
Anna Dennis, soprano | Aisling Kenny, soprano
Rebecca Leggett, mezzo-soprano | Laura Lamph, mezzo-soprano
Jonathan Hanley, tenor | Ruairi Bowen, tenor
Frederick Long, bass-baritone | William Gaunt, bass
RTÉ lyric fm, St. Stephen’s Day, 26th December, 7pm-10pm
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MOVIES AND MUSICALS WITH AEDÍN GORMLEY
Julie Andrews has enjoyed a career spanning seven decades. She is a multi-award-winning actor and singer, with an Academy Award, a BAFTA, two Emmys, three Grammys and six Golden Globe awards. Having first appeared in London's West End in 1948, she rose to prominence on Broadway in The Boyfriend in 1954, followed by My Fair Lady and Camelot.
In her 90th year, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra - joined by vocalists Graham Bickley, Katie Birtill and Kelly Mathieson - celebrate her long and varied career with an evening of music that will include so many songs we have all grown to love. We'll also hear Aedín's memorable interview with Julie Andrews, on the occasion of the release of her book, 'Home - A Memoir of my early years'.
Julie Andrews: A 90th Birthday Celebration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Richard Balcombe conductor
Graham Bickley, Katie Birtill & Kelly Mathieson, vocalists
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 27th December, 1pm-4pm
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OPERA NIGHT WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
Metropolitan Opera New York celebrates Handel's Rodelinda
Handel wrote some of his most beautiful and characterful music for Rodelinda. Hatred and despair, thwarted love and resentment, and a fierce desire for revenge all combine to make a narrative of extraordinary power and potency. Tonight, the Metropolitan Opera New York brings us a celebration of Handel with archival excerpts from Met performances, in honour of the 300th anniversary of Rodelinda.
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 27th December, 7pm-10pm
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VOX NOSTRA WITH VLAD SMISHKEWYCH
An Early Music year in review: Vlad has a boxful of the finest early music recordings of 2025 from the world's top historically-informed artists, and will treat listeners to what's been new this year, with a look at what's coming up for release in the first months of 2026. Clavisymbalum, theorbo, colascione, buttafuoco, psalterion and other fun to pronounce instruments will be part of the mix as Vox Nostra closes another year filled with gorgeous music from centuries past.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 28th December, 7am-10am
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THE LYRIC FEATURE
A Place in the Choir
A Place in the Choir marks the National Symphony Chorus of Ireland's 40th anniversary by exploring a simple question: why do we sing together? Soprano Róisín Power brings listeners inside the chorus through intimate conversations with singers across generations, revealing stories of friendship, resilience, joy, and the deep comfort of creating a shared sound. Featuring recordings from rehearsals and live performances, the documentary captures the unique energy of a hundred voices breathing as one.
Produced and presented by Róisín Power.
With production support by Patricia Baker of Curious Broadcast, Sound mixing by Bryan Jardim Fleming at CONTACT Studio.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 28th December, 6pm-7pm
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VESPERTINE WITH ELLEN CRANITCH
As the old year turns and we welcome in the new, we listen to music inspired by light, bright and the hope that sustains us through the dark times. Music from Robert Glasper, Stefan Micus, Linda Buckley, Cat Stevens, and glorious choral selections by Ola Gjeilo and Benjamin Britten.
Looking forward, looking up, and greeting the new dawn.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 28th December 9pm-12am
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MARTY IN THE MORNING
Join Simon Delaney as he takes the chill out of your early mornings with music, news, weather and travel updates.
RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 29th December, 7am-10am
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THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
We're revisiting one of our favourite concerts on The Full Score, showcasing serious Irish talent in one of our live lunchtime concerts from Studio 1 in the Radio Centre.
Mozart: Haffner Symphony
Elgar The Snow, Op. 26 No. 1 with Pro Cathedral SSA
Massenet: Méditation
Wagner: Tannhäuser Overture
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Conductor: Gavin Maloney
Violin: Peter Ryan
RTÉ lyric fm, Tuesday 30th December, 1pm-4pm
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LORCAN MURRAY’S CLASSIC DRIVE
Broadcasting live daily Monday to Friday evenings from our Limerick studios, Lorcan Murray presents RTÉ lyric fm's flagship show, Classic Drive. Lorcan brings you the perfect musical soundtrack, wherever you are, sharing a feast of music with both the curious and the knowledgeable and featuring listeners' own choices. Included in this musical feast are the latest news and sports updates and tips for what's on where you are. There, for one and all, Lorcan's with you all the way. (Presented by Elspeth Hanson)
RTÉ lyric fm, New Year’s Eve - Wednesday 31st December, 4pm-7pm
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RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
A Century of Song, Swing and Soul with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Join Paul Herriottt as he brings us a sensational New Year's Eve celebration with RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Associate Artist conductor/arranger Guy Barker. Sing and dance into 2026 as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Barker welcome back vocalists Vanessa Haynes, Joe Stilgoe, Strictly Come Dancing's Tommy Blaize, and clarinet virtuoso Giacomo Smith, performing classics including Ella Fitzgerald's 'What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?', Ray Charles soul favourites, plus Bob Hilliard and Dick Miles' playful 'The Coffee Song' - originally recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1946, and shortly afterward by Louis Prima and His Orchestra. Expect show-stopping party pieces by Louis Armstrong,
Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Percy Mayfield, Fats Domino, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Al Green, Prince, Paloma Faith and more.
RTÉ lyric fm, New Year’s Eve, 31st December, 10pm-12.30am
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THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
The Köln Concert refers to a legendary performance by U.S. jazz pianist Keith Jarrett at the Opera House in Cologne (Köln), Germany on January 24, 1975. The entirely improvised composition begins playfully, with Jarrett imitating the five notes of the opera house's bell that calls the audience to take their places. The Köln Concert album, recorded by producer Manfred Eicher and released under the ECM label, became the best-selling solo jazz album in history and the most widely distributed solo piano album of all time.
To mark the 50th anniversary of this milestone in musical history, Festival Classica commissioned François Vallières to arrange a version for string quartet, based on the transcription published by Schott and authorized by Jarrett. This reinterpretation of Jarrett's work offers listeners an illuminating and enchanting recontextualization of a true cornerstone of jazz and contemporary music and we'll hear it today on The Full Score. (Presented by Shirley Keane)
Keith Jarrett The Köln Concert
Quatuor Classica
RTÉ lyric fm, Thursday 1st January, 1pm-4pm
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Photo | Getty Images
AEDÍN IN THE AFTERNOON
Cellist Anastasia Kobekina's recording of the Bach solo cello suites features today and Aedín will dip into acclaimed Norwegian violinist Mari Samuelsen's album Life, and the Martin Hayes Quartet's album, The Blue Room. Fantastic jazzy numbers in the mix too, from Sarah Vaughan, Stacey Kent, Laufey and Nina Simone.
RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 2nd January, 1pm-4pm
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Photo | Lusine Pepanyan
RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
Jamie Duffy live at the National Concert Hall
Paul Herriott brings us a recently recorded concert from the stage of the National Concert Hall in Dublin, by 24 year old, Jamie Duffy one of Ireland's most compelling new artists, blending folk, classical, and contemporary influences into a sound that's both intimate and cinematic. His debut single 'Solas' became the most streamed debut by an Irish artist since Hozier's 'Take Me To Church', with over 125 million streams on Spotify, 25 million YouTube views, and 6.6 billion views on TikTok.
RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 2nd January, 7pm-10pm
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