RTÉ lyric fm Celebrates Black History Month 

This October, RTÉ lyric fm celebrates Black History Month across the station. As an ode to the remarkable legacy of Black composers, conductors and performers – we tell their stories, highlighting their unique musical gifts. Every day this month, you will hear prominent musical figures honouring the lives of Black musicians who have been under-represented in the world of classical music. 

Leading musical figures from the world of contemporary music such as Tara Erraught, Eimear Noone, Alexis Ffrench, Zoe Conway, Berginald Rash, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Samantha Ege guide us through the remarkable lives of Black musicians Leontyne Price, Marian Anderson, Terence Blanchard, Nina Simone, Nora Holt, Margaret Bonds, Florence Price and more.

Starting this Saturday on Movies and Musicals, the first in this series focuses on US composer and trumpeter Terence Blanchard whose opera ‘Fire Shut Up in My Bones’ was the first work by a Black composer to be presented by the Metropolitan Opera in New York during the autumn of 2021. Listen in to RTÉ lyric fm as the series unfolds each day from Marty in the Morning to Classic Drive. 

The series devised by Saibh Downes and Peter Curtin was prompted by the lack of representation in classical music – from the classroom to the concert hall. 

On this RTÉ lyric fm production coordinator Saibh Downes says: “As a black child, teenager and adult in classical music – I was never exposed to anyone who looked like me. Representation is integral. I am proud to celebrate Black excellence in a field that is slowly coming to recognise Black musical achievements.” 

RTÉ lyric fm is proud to champion diversity in the world of classical music in support of Black History Month.