Irish chamber orchestra Camerata Ireland, which includes players from both the North and South of Ireland, will embark on their second tour of Mexico on 22– 26 October. Camerata Ireland will play in Mexico City, Leon and Guanajuato.

President Michael D. Higgins, joint patron of the orchestra, will attend the first concert in Mexico City on Tuesday 22 October.

‘We are delighted to be visiting Mexico again,’ said a spokesperson for the orchestra. ‘This year has been a memorable one for Camerata Ireland with tours to, amongst others, Chile, Argentina, Poland, Russia and Finland. In the summer we made our debut at the BBC Proms and collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra on a project in Derry/Londonderry as part of the UK City of Culture.  Our programme in Mexico is unusual, as we will be playing all of Beethoven’s Concertos, including the one for violin arranged for the piano. Camerata Ireland is a true flag-carrier for both parts of this island and is very grateful for the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Culture Ireland and our Global Sponsor, Randox Laboratories.’

Two players who took part in Camerata Ireland’s recent master classes at the Clandeboye Festival will be playing with the orchestra for the first time. Thomas Porter (23) is a bassoonist from Bangor and Leonie Bluett (23) is a clarinetist from Kilkenny. Leonie was the joint winner of the Young Musicians of the Future concert and was awarded £2,000 by the Flax Trust to help her continue with her studies.

www.camerata-ireland.com