Mairéad Hickey

Celebrated Irish violinist Mairéad Hickey is acclaimed for her captivating expression, soaring tone and fearless virtuosity. Her natural ability to communicate sincerely, with beauty and integrity, entrances audiences worldwide.

As a soloist Mairéad has performed with the RTÉ Irish National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Irish National Concert Orchestra, Hessicher Rundfunk Sinfonie Orchester, Württembergisches Kammerorchester, Philharmonisches, Staatsorchester Mainz, Kremerata Baltica, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe , Camerata Ireland and with conductors such as Christoph Eschenbach in some of the major halls around the world. Her Carnegie Hall debut was described as ‘…magical, penetrating to the heart and soul of the music.’ (New York Epoch Times)

Mairéad is the current concertmaster of the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire.

Mairéad has been invited to perform at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Westport Festival of Chamber Music, the Clandeboye Music Festival, the Rheingau Festival, Mantova Chamber Music Festival, Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, Rolandseck Festival and Chamber Music Connects the World.

Her love of chamber music led her to co-found the Ortús Chamber Music Festival in 2016 in her native Cork, of which she is Artistic Director.

Performances in 2022 Festival:
Mozart Variations in G minor K.360 with Nathalia Milstein
Richard Stauss Violin Sonata Op.18 with Nathalia Milstein
Brahms Piano Trio in C major Op.101 with Ella van Poucke and Nathalia Milstein
Dvořák Piano Trio in F Op.65 with Ella van Poucke and Nathalia Milstein
Lang Mystery Sonatas
Merivale The silent sweep as you stand still with Ella van Poucke
Dean Imaginary Ballet with Brett Dean, Alasdair Beatson & Johannes Moser
Kodály Duo for violin and cello with Ella van Poucke
Brahms Piano Quartet No.3 in C minor Op.60 with Dana Zemtsov, Ella van Poucke & Zoltán Fejérvári