This is the 32nd year of the First Church’s Summer Recital Series which runs every Wednesday at 1.15pm throughout July and August, with a free concert showcasing musicians from across the island of Ireland.

Summer Recital Series 2026

First Church Belfast

Composers have used roses as a powerful metaphor for love’s complexities, their delicate beauty and potential to cause pain. Roses also symbolise themes of nature, growth, new beginnings and divine love. We have gathered music from a range of genres, from art song to opera all depicting the intertwined themes of love and roses.

Morning Melodies - 'A Rose By Any Other Name'

Grand Opera House Belfast

We’re excited to be back performing live in the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival’s ‘Out To Lunch’ programme with a lunchtime and an evening event.

Out To Lunch Festival Event

The Black Box Belfast

Enjoy a performance of some of opera’s best-loved arias, duets and songs along with some hidden gems, directed by Northern Ireland Opera’s Artistic Director, Cameron Menzies.

Opera at The Court House

The Court House

Join us for an hour of arias and songs on a theme of ‘Springtime, Summertime and Mischief!’ performed by soprano Petra Wells, mezzo Jenny Bourke and pianist Frasier Hickland.

Springtime, Summertime and Mischief

Flowerfield Arts Centre

The Northern Ireland Opera Chorus perform an evening of opera choruses, from much-loved and well-known works and lesser known gems.

Comprising more than 30 opera singers from Northern Ireland, the NI Opera Chorus are selected from open auditions in Belfast and spend six months working with the national opera company for Northern Ireland in an acclaimed artist development programme.

Frasier Hickland

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 16, 2026

Northern Ireland Opera Chorus · Northern Ireland Opera

Past events

22 - 29 Jul, 2026

Summer Recital Series 2026 · Northern Ireland Opera

Nov 5, 2025

Morning Melodies - 'A Rose By Any Other Name' · Northern Ireland Opera

About

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