Welcome to the Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland taking place from 22-25 July, 2010. The festival, now in its seventh year, is a world-class music event and features a programme of great performances, showcasing the best in classical, jazz, folk and world music in some of Dublin's finest venues.

Over the course of its existence, the Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland has been transformed from a genre-based festival to a more eclectic series of events that now spans the boundaries of an incredibly diverse instrument. The constant development and expansion of the festival has been made possible by the untiring support of Waltons and the Arts Council. Never afraid to take chances the festival team have, to date, produced an impressive array of the best in live guitar music with ground-breaking collaborations from internationally acclaimed musicians as well as from innovative new artists.

This year the festival leads with a lunchtime concert by guitar and voice duo Alec O'Leary (guitar) and Deirdre Moynihan (soprano) followed that evening by 'one of the guitar-world's guiding lights' the great French player and composer Roland Dyens. Always transformative events, Roland Dyens’ concerts unfold as personal experiences of emotional awakening for the audience. For those who are unfamiliar with the contours and nuances of classical guitar performance, one often witnesses an inspirational discovery of the instrument and its musical potential, not to mention the pleasure it gives the audience. He has a sensitive and colorful approach to the guitar - an unfailing open-mindedness which brings together all forms of music to each and every one of his programs.

John Feeley is internationally renowned as a performer and teacher and he is a regular at the Waltons Guitar Festival of Ireland. As a past festival favourite he has been described by Michael Dervan in the Irish Times as 'a trailblazer...when it comes to the guitar and guitar-playing in Ireland'. He will be performing in the festival on Friday 23rd July.

On Sat. 24th July the true spirit of Argentine tango comes to the National Concert Hall with dancers, bandoneon, voice and guitars. Direct from Buenos Aires for one night only Tango & Friends is a fascinating vocal-instrumental performance mixed with the choreographies of two tango dancers in a night of passion, seduction and sensuality.

The following day grammy award winner Andrew York performs in what will be a spectacular end to the festival events for 2010. In any generation there are many musicians, but very few artists that communicate on a profound cultural level. Andrew York is one of these rare artistic voices. Think Picasso painting with sound as a canvas, or a Miles Davis behind the guitar.

There are also many opportunities to study with these world renowned musicians at the 2010 WGFI. With lots of top-class music events to choose from, you're sure to find musical adventures that will delight you, your friends and your family. We look forward to meeting you there!

Alec O'Leary
Festival Director

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