In 2018, following a report by Helen Boaden, the Government agreed in principle that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra should come within the remit of the National Concert Hall.
RTÉ and the National Concert Hall welcome today’s confirmation by Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, of the transfer, which is scheduled for 2021.
The National Concert Hall and RTÉ said today that the move represents an important moment for the future of live classical and symphonic music in Ireland. They added that the move reinforces the respective roles that both the National Concert Hall and RTÉ play in enhancing the provision of live classical and symphonic music for the benefit of the Irish public.
Maura McGrath (Chairperson National Concert Hall) and Simon Taylor (CEO National Concert Hall) stated: “Our vision for the National Concert Hall is to be regarded worldwide as one of the great centres for music and a symbol of national pride for Irish people everywhere. Today’s decision to fund the transition of the NSO to the National Concert Hall will enable the orchestra to be sustained and strengthened to provide world class symphonic music in Ireland and help us fulfil our mandate as the National Cultural Institution for music.”
RTÉ Director-General, Dee Forbes said: “Today’s announcement by the Minister gives effect to one of the recommendations in the Boaden Review and will ensure the future for Ireland’s two full-time professional orchestras, the National Symphony Orchestra and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. Notwithstanding the challenges presented by Covid-19, both orchestras will now be able to plan for the future with greater clarity and certainty. That is most welcome. We will now do all we can to support a smooth and successful transition and to ensure that audiences, in Ireland and abroad, can continue to enjoy the best orchestral music from these wonderful musicians, both virtually and, in due course, in the live arena.”
Both the National Concert Hall and RTÉ will work with the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht to ensure a successful transition.