An unmissable music trail through Shandon has been announced for this year’s Cork Midsummer Festival. Photo: Kieran McCarthy

Music trail is a Schu-in this summer

As part of this year’s highly anticipated Cork Midsummer Festival, a trail of special musical performances will take place in surprise locations in one of Cork city’s most famous areas.

Music lovers are invited to experience ‘Winter Journey: Winterreise Reimagined’ a new interpretation of Austrian composer Franz Schubert’s iconic song cycle ‘Winterreise’ through an enchanting 80 minute trail throughout the historic neighbourhood of Shandon.

Taking place at 3pm on 15 June, and at 3pm and 6pm on 16 June, visitors can follow the musical trail through the bustling and vibrant city streets, stepping into once familiar spaces to discover ‘Winterreise’ through a series of intimate close-up performances from a host of incredible musicians.

Performers will include Bláithín MacGabhann, Ciara O’Leary Fitzpatrick, Emma Nash, Gavan Ring, Gary Beecher, JFDR (Iceland), Johnny McCarthy, Lina Andonovska (Australia), Neil O’Driscoll, Outsiders Ent., Peter Power, Rachael Lavelle, and Sheherazaad (USA/India).

The original poems by Wilhelm Muller, which Schubert set to music in 1827 to create ‘Winterreise’, depict the dark, beautiful journey from summer to winter, from life towards death. Musicians and artists in eight very different spaces around Shandon will create responses to the beloved song cycle, exploring genres including folk, hip-hop, opera, traditional, and more. The performances seek to create a space where audiences are free to create their own winter journey in cosy pubs, wild gardens, austere churches, and other stops throughout the neighbourhood.

For more information and for tickets, visit Corkmidsummer.com. A meeting place will be emailed to ticket holders in advance.

This year, Cork Midsummer Festival once again promises an unmissable programme of exciting world class work that audiences won't experience anywhere else. Running from 12-25 June, the festival focuses on events that cross artforms and create immersive experiences using Cork city as a stage. Events and performances will take place in woods, swimming pools, warehouses, streets, forts, parks, and more.

Cork Midsummer Festival is supported by the Arts Council, Cork City Council, and Fáilte Ireland.