One of the world’s leading sopranos will take to the stage in Drogheda next week as Drogheda Classical Music launches its 2026/27 season.
Internationally acclaimed Swedish soprano Miah Persson will be joined by pianist Joseph Middleton for an intimate evening of opera and song at St Peter’s Church of Ireland on Friday, September 11.
Persson has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses and concert venues, including the Vienna State Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Zurich Opera and Glyndebourne.
Described as “radiant” by The New York Times, she is regarded as one of the leading singers of her generation, with a career spanning both major operatic productions and song recitals.
Her Drogheda appearance will open an ambitious eight-month programme from Drogheda Classical Music, which will run until April.
Artistic Director Dr Gavan Ring said the organisation was delighted to welcome an artist of Persson’s international standing to the town.
“We are enormously excited to unveil our 2026/27 season,” he said.
“Our ambition at Drogheda Classical Music is very simple: to bring extraordinary artists and extraordinary music to Drogheda, and I think this season demonstrates that ambition more strongly than ever.
“To open with an artist of Miah Persson’s international stature alongside the wonderful Joe Middleton is incredibly exciting.”
Persson will be accompanied by Joseph Middleton, one of the foremost song pianists working internationally.
Middleton regularly performs at venues including Wigmore Hall, the Royal Opera House, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Vienna’s Musikverein and Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie.
He has worked with many of the leading singers of his generation and is Director of Leeds Song and a Professor at the Royal Academy of Music.
Persson and Middleton are established recital partners and their appearance will mark the beginning of a packed new season for classical music audiences in Drogheda.
Other artists travelling to the town during the coming months include guitarist Seán Shibe, pianist Roman Rabinovich and the Irish Baroque Orchestra, which will return with conductor Peter Whelan for a seasonal performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.
The programme will also see the launch of a new two-day BeethovenFest in March, featuring talks, workshops and interactive events alongside a gala concert celebrating Beethoven, Irish pianism and Drogheda Classical Music’s Steinway concert grand.
Other concerts will feature the John Finucane Trio; soprano Claudia Boyle with tenor Cathal McCabe and pianist Rebecca Warren; and tenor Dean Power alongside pianist and composer James Hurley.
The opening concert with Miah Persson and Joseph Middleton takes place at St Peter’s Church of Ireland at 7.30pm on Friday, September 11, with a free pre-concert talk beginning at 7pm.
Season tickets for the full 2026/27 Drogheda Classical Music series are priced at €130, with individual concert tickets also available through Droichead Arts Centre and Drogheda Classical Music.