James and Jeanne Galway for Clifden Arts Festival

Renowned flautist James Galway will join the RTÉ Concert Orchestra for a performance at Clifden Arts Festival on Sunday, September 17, at 8pm in the West Connemara Sports & Leisure Centre.

Belfast-born James Galway has been a household name for decades. His playing spans the genres, from classical masterworks to popular music and film commissions.

Galway studied in London and Paris and subsequently played with London’s major opera and symphonic orchestras. He was appointed solo flautist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Herbert von Karajan in 1969, before becoming one of the  first flautists to establish an international solo career in 1975.

Since then, he has performed with leading orchestras and most conductors and has collaborated on film soundtracks such as The Lord of the Rings as well as partnering with popular artists such as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell and Elton John.

James Galway’s many awards include being knighted by the British Queen in 2001 for his service to music.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, September 16, in the beautiful Kylemore Abbey, internationally renowned flautist Lady Jeanne Galway will give a music workshop to invited local students at the Notre Dame Centre at Kylemore Abbey.

The American concert flautist, teacher and wife of Sir James Galway has performed with top class orchestras in the US and abroad.

Lisa Caulfield, Isabelle Cabezas, and the staff at Kylemore Abbey are facilitating this unique workshop.

For more information about the Clifden Arts Festival and ticket sales, go to clifdenartsfestival.ie.