Name: Opera, Chamber Music and Romanian Wine
Start: 2026-03-04T19:00:00+00:00
Location: Claregalway Castle

Opera, Chamber Music and Romanian Wine
Claregalway Castle, Wednesday, 4th of March 2026, 7.00PM
This special evening brings together opera, chamber music and Romanian spring traditions in a refined and intimate concert experience.
Celebrating the arrival of spring and anticipating International Women’s Day, the programme features beloved opera arias and chamber music works from the classical repertoire, performed by outstanding Romanian and Irish artists. The musical journey is accompanied by a Romanian wine tasting and a Mărțișor exhibition – a traditional Romanian symbol of spring, renewal and good fortune, offered at the beginning of March.
Performers:
• Claudia Marinescu – soprano
• Angela Ioana Gheorghiu – mezzo-soprano
• Duo Anima: Andreea Banciu – viola | Aileen Cahill – piano
• Adrian Mantu – cello
Claudia Marinescu (RO), soprano, is a graduate of the Master’s programme in Vocal Performance at the National University of Music Bucharest (class of Iulia Isaev) and a laureate of numerous national and international competitions. She is widely regarded as one of the most promising Romanian voices of the new generation.
Angela Ioana Gheorghiu (RO), mezzo-soprano, is currently studying at the George Enescu National College of Music in Bucharest. Despite her young age, she has already attracted attention for her distinctive timbre, praised in numerous competitions and recital performances.
Duo Anima:
Aileen Cahill – Collaborative Pianist (IE)
A graduate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music and TU Dublin Conservatoire, Aileen Cahill frequently performs as part of Duo Anima with violist Andreea Banciu, exploring both standard and lesser-known repertoire. She currently teaches at TU Dublin and Maynooth University.
Andreea Banciu – Violist (RO–IE)
Educated in Bucharest, London and Madrid, Andreea Banciu is a founding member of the ConTempo Quartet, Galway’s Ensemble in Residence since 2003 and currently teaches viola and chamber music at TU Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Adrian Mantu – Cellist (RO–IE)
A graduate of the National University of Music in Bucharest and the Royal Academy of Music in Dublin, Adrian Mantu is a founding member of the ConTempo Quartet, Galway’s Ensemble in Residence since 2003 and performs internationally as a soloist and educator.
An event organized by: ICON ARTS IRELAND, UCIMR – the ROMANIAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC PERFORMERS
Partners: CLAREGALWAY CASTLE, THE EMBASSY OF ROMANIA TO IRELAND