David Brophy
Dublin’s National Concert Hall lit up with an unforgettable evening as part of the inaugural Festival of Voice, where Nigerian‑Irish sensation Tolü Makay joined forces with iconic Sean‑nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird, soprano Eimear Quinn, and the National Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of conductor David Brophy.
This musical journey, held onJune 27, was a celebration of Ireland’s rich vocal traditions, blending ancient sean‑nós with contemporary soul‑pop and classical orchestration. Makay’s soulful, genre‑defying voice took audiences on an emotional voyage, perfectly complementing Ó Lionáird’s ethereal traditional tones and Quinn’s evocative soprano — all woven together by the expansive textures of the NSO.
David Brophy’s visionary artistic leadership was instrumental in bringing this dream ensemble to life. As Principal Conductor of RTÉ Concert Orchestra, his reputation for bridging classical and contemporary worlds was evident, crafting a performance that was both moving and masterfully structured. Cathleen was delighted to have created arrangements for the concert.
Part of a weekend-long celebration, the concert was one of the highlights of the Festival of Voice—a platform dedicated to exploring the universal language of song through pop-up events and workshops across Dublin city