CULTURE FILE PRESENTS: THE COMFORT ZONE
Luke Clancy and Colm Tóibín plus a new guest each week light out for the territories, culture-wise.
Gojira's 'Fortitude' with Rónán Ó Raghallaigh
The Comfort Zone: Artist and researcher, Rónán Ó Raghallaigh makes the case to Colm Tóibín and Luke Clancy for French metal band Gojira's album 'Fortitude' - and the joy of moshing.
A Soundsdoable production for RTÉ lyric fm
Produced and presented by Luke Clancy
Associate producer: Niamh Daly
Subscribe to the podcasts available each Friday and Wednesday
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 9th May, 6.30pm-7pm
OPERA NIGHT WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
The Metropolitan Opera New York presents La fille du régiment by Donizetti
A bel canto classic that guarantees astounding singing, Donizetti's ebullient comedy returns to the Met, with soprano Erin Morley making her role debut as Marie, the intrepid 'daughter of the regiment'. She stars alongside high-flying tenor Lawrence Brownlee as her admirer, Tonio, with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham as Marie's long-lost mother, the Marquise of Berkenfield, and bass-baritone Peter Kálmán as the gruff but goodhearted Sgt. Sulpice. Golden Globe Award-winning actress Sandra Oh makes an exciting Met debut as the Duchess of Krakenthorp.
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 9th May, 7pm-10pm
Photo: Karen Almond | Met Opera
THE LYRIC FEATURE
Dead Reeds
Without its reeds, the Uilleann pipes make no music. Pipers Paddi Benson and Grace Lemon explore stories bound up in the instrument's reeds, including those that no longer play.
Pipers are at the mercy of their reeds - a reed might sing beautifully until caught by sudden failure or gradual withering. In acknowledging their fragility, Paddi and Grace expose personal stories of life and death. They retrace the lifecycles of reeds - from their birth as cane to their uncertain existence in the hands of harvesters, makers and players - uncovering stories of connectivity, migration and memory, from earth to sound.
The narrative is interwoven with original music and interviews from pipers Mick O'Brien, Máire Ni Ghráda, Bill Haneman as well interviews with musicians, reed makers and cane harvesters
(First broadcast 9th November 2025)
Produced by Niamh O'Brien
Presented by Paddi Benson and Grace Lemon
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 10th May, 6pm-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 each day Niall chooses his Five of a Kind. This week we'll hear five movements from concertos for wind instruments by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
RTÉ lyric fm, Monday 11th May, 10am-1pm
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
Today's Full Score concert features Sandrine Piau in a recital from Wigmore Hall in London. The French soprano presents a programme of songs by Schubert, Clara Schumann and the little-known composer and pianist Jeanne Bernard. Liz Nolan presents a showcase of unabridged musical masterworks, featuring live recordings of Irish and international performers, plus selections from the latest CD releases.
RTÉ lyric fm, Tuesday 12th May, 1pm-4pm
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
Our concert today comes from the National String Quartet Foundation as we hear the Carducci Quartet perform music by Haydn, Shaw and Shostakovich. Liz Nolan presents a showcase of unabridged musical masterworks, featuring live recordings of Irish and international performers, plus selections from the latest CD releases.
Haydn: String Quartet in D major Op.20 No.4
Donnacha Dennehy: STAMP (to avoid erotic thoughts)
Caroline Shaw: Entr'acte
Shostakovich: Quartet No.9
Carducci Quartet
Matthew Denton, violin
Michelle Fleming, violin
Eoin Schmidt-Martin, viola
Emma Denton, cello
RTÉ lyric fm, Wednesday 13th May, 1pm-4pm
Photo: Anthony Holdsworth Photographt
LORCAN MURRAY’S CLASSIC DRIVE
Classic Drive brings you the perfect musical soundtrack, including Lorcan's Pick of the Week: Barbara Hannigan and the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra perform works by American composers on a new album entitled An American Dream? The listeners choose the playlist with a themed midweek choice. And with news, weather and sports, Lorcan's with you all the way!
RTÉ lyric fm, Wednesday 13th May, 4pm-7pm
Photo: Mustacchio & Ianniello
THE FULL SCORE WITH LIZ NOLAN
Janine Jansen joins conductor Antonio Pappano and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra in our concert today to perform Johannes Brahms' technically challenging and musically virtuosic Violin Concerto in D major, written for the legendary violinist Joseph Joachim. Pappano also leads the orchestra in Richard Strauss' early symphonic poem Aus Italien, which depicts Italy's landscapes, history, and folk life in four movements. Liz Nolan presents a showcase of unabridged musical masterworks, featuring live recordings of Irish and international performers, plus selections from the latest CD releases.
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D, Op. 77
Richard Strauss: Aus Italien, Op. 16
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Antonio Pappano, conductor
Janine Jansen, violin
RTÉ lyric fm, Thursday 14th May, 1pm-4pm
Photo: Lukas Beck
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 14th May, 7pm-9pm
RTÉ LYRIC LIVE WITH PAUL HERRIOTT
John O'Conor joins forces with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and conductor Lina Gonzáles-Granados in tonight's live broadcast of Beethoven's spirited Piano Concerto No. 1 in a concert including Sibelius's Second Symphony and the Irish premiere of Saariaho's Ciel d'hiver.
Kaija Saariaho: Ciel d'hiver (Irish Premiere)
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2
National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Lina Gonzáles-Granados, conductor
John O'Conor, piano
RTÉ lyric fm, Friday 15th May, 7pm-10pm
