Highlights - Saturday 14th March to Friday 20th March

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 much loved melodies from across the genres and new releases including Uncertain Sea, the stunning new album of choral music from composer John Casken which is inspired by the magnificent landscape, coastline and history of Northumberland. Join Claudia Saturday and Sunday from 4pm as she brings you the ultimate weekend playlist.

RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 14th March, 4pm-6pm

OPERA NIGHT WITH PAUL HERRIOTT

The Metropolitan Opera New York presents Puccini's Madama Butterfly

Cultures collide in Puccini's poignant tale of a loyal geisha and a callous American naval officer whose fleeting romance leaves only devastation behind. Leading soprano Aleksandra Kurzak sings the role of Cio-Cio-San, one of opera's ultimate soprano roles. Tenor Adam Smith also takes on his Met debut as Pinkerton; Jennifer Johnson Cano sings Suzuki and Quinn Kelsey is Sharpless in Anthony Minghella's production live from the Metropolitan Opera New York.

RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 14th March, 7pm-10pm

VOX NOSTRA WITH VLAD SMISHKEWYCH

Let's Dance! On this Sunday's Vox Nostra, Telemann and Christopher Tye are 'tyed' for birthdays, so we'll head to the dance floor and celebrate Thoinot Arbeau and the many other known and anonymous dance masters who left us great tunes from ages past. Mixing with the subtle sounds of ancient medieval music from the times of St Patrick and the other Irish saints, will be the galliards, gigues, gavottes and other dances that made nimble feet move gracefully centuries ago. Plus, looking forward to Early Music Day, celebrated every year on 21st March as JS Bach's birthday (on the Old Style calendar, naturally!) and spring equinox. Vlad will have plenty of music by Papa Bach and family ready to go on this special Sunday morning. Ina theannta sin: I lár Sheachtain na Gaeilge, beidh maidin cheoil ársa ann ag ceiliúradh Pádraig, naomh na hÉireann - chomh maith le ceol agus rince ó na céadta bliain ó shin!

RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 15th March, 7am-10am

THE LYRIC FEATURE

Without Dependence

Without Dependence tells the story of Críostóir Ó Floinn - bilingual Limerick-born poet, playwright, teacher, and perhaps the most censored writer you've never heard of. Through first-hand accounts and historical insight, the documentary uncovers how unofficial censorship, linguistic policing, and institutional power had profound consequences for the personal and professional life of an author who nonetheless remained fiercely committed to his craft. Presented by actor Daragh O'Malley, the programme explores Ó Floinn's work, his clashes with authority, and what his story reveals about culture, censorship, and conscience in twentieth-century Ireland.

Presented by Daragh O'Malley
Produced by Michael Glennon.

RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 15th March, 6pm-7pm

VESPERTINE WITH ELLEN CRANITCH

Clár lán le ceol den scoth anocht ag céiliúradh Seachtain na Gaeilge. Dluthcérnín nua ó Damien Mullane, Shauna Mullen, Enda Scahill, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, agus snagceoil ó Snowpoet, Hugh Buckley agus Carole Nelson. Ag lorg draoícht an domhain nádúrtha le Karen Power agus Cliodhna Ní Aodáin, ag caint leis na sidhe le Thomas Johnston, agus ag rince seiteanna le Seamus Begley. Bígi liom.

RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 15th March, 9pm-12am

LORCAN MURRAY'S CLASSIC DRIVE

Classic Drive brings you the perfect musical soundtrack, including Lorcan's Pick of the Week: Mozart, Piano concertos volume 12. Jean-Efflam Bavouzet's acclaimed cycle of Mozart's piano concertos reaches its conclusion with this twelfth volume. The programme offers a suitably celebratory mood: the Overtures to Idomeneo and La finta semplice frame the A major and D major Rondos for piano and orchestra. And with news, weather and sports, Lorcan's with you all the way!

RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 16th March, 4pm-7pm

LORCAN MURRAY’S CLASSIC DRIVE

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit, ó Classic Drive ar RTÉ lyric fm. Lorcan is celebrating the best of Irish music on this special programme with live musical performances from the finest traditional Irish musicians including fiddle player Kevin Burke, and duo Cormac Breathnach on whistle and Martin Dunlea on guitar. Lorcan looks back on groups such as the Bothy Band and Skara Brae and how they may have influenced contemporary musicians like The Gloaming and Aoife Ní Bhríain and Cormac McCarthy. For a beautiful playlist on St. Patrick's Day, Lorcan's with you all the way.

RTÉ lyric fm, Tuesday 17th March, 4pm-7pm

NIALL CARROLL’S CLASSICAL DAYTIME

Niall Carroll plays music from the heart of the classical repertoire with Sounds on Screen a piece from either the big or the small screen at 11am, and at midday Five of a Kind. This week Niall chooses a selection of movements from Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphonies.

RTÉ lyric fm, Wednesday 18th March, 10am-1pm

THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN

We're celebrating music making in Ireland this week and today we'll hear the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and principal flautist Silvija Scerbaviciute in a concert recorded in Studio 1 in the RTÉ Radio Centre. Liz Nolan presents a showcase of unabridged musical masterworks, featuring live recordings of Irish and international performers, plus selections from the latest CD releases.

Johann Strauss II: Emperor Waltz
Chaminade: Concertino for flute
Johann Strauss II: 1001 Nights
Mozart: Andante in C, K315
Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol

RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Swann Van Rechem, conductor
Silvija Scerbaviciute, flute

RTÉ lyric fm, Wednesday 18th March, 1pm-4pm

MARTY IN THE MORNING

Marty Whelan is joined in studio by singer-songwriter Foy Vance. Foy chats to Marty about the release of his long-anticipated new album 'The Wake', the seventh in a 26-year series which began with the unexpected passing of his father. Foy talks about this very personal journey in music and his upcoming Irish tour dates, and also performs live in studio.

RTÉ lyric fm, Thursday 19th March, 7am-10am

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.

RTÉ lyric fm, Thursday 19th March, 7pm-9pm

AEDÍN IN THE AFTERNOON

What music might Jane Austen have been listening to, and which pieces might she have performed privately? This is the focus of the latest album by pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason entitled, Jane Austen's Piano which Aedín features today. Stunning choral music from the renowned ensemble Tenebrae and a great recording from Strung, the contemporary Irish music ensemble based in Cork. Some fine film music in the mix from Phantom Thread, and this afternoon's singers include Jane Monheit, Aretha Franklin, Wallis Bird, Sarah McLachlan, Kate Bush and David Geraghty.

RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 20th March, 1pm-4pm

RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT

Admired for his conducting of the music of his native France, Jean-Luc Tingaud brings us Franck's Symphony in D minor, and also in tonight's concert, Louis Lortie joins the NSOI for Chopin's lyrical Piano Concerto No.1.

Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1
Franck: Symphony in D minor

National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Jean-Luc Tingaud, conductor
Louis Lortie, piano

RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 20th March, 7pm-10pm