Feis Ceoil
Eva Maria Kavanagh

A veritable institution in Ireland, Feis Ceoil is a unique classical music festival that brings to the fore the best of young Irish musical talent. No less than 5,000 participants take part in 200 competitions. Among the most illustrious prize-winners are tenor John McCormack, pianist Hugh Tinney and the mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught… but also James Joyce, who won a bronze medal in 1904.

The CCI is delighted to present short concerts by Irish soprano Eva Maria Kavanagh, a winner at Feis Ceoil festival 2026. On the occasion of European Heritage Days at the CCI, she will perform on both Saturday and Sunday. Considered one of Ireland’s leading young singers, 22-year-old Eva Maria Kavanagh is completing her Bachelor of Music Performance at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, studying with Professor Kathleen Tynan and Dearbhla Collins. She is a recipient of multiple awards, including the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Bríd Phelan Emerging Talent Award and John Pollard Bursary, alongside the prestigious Irene Sandford Award at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Operatic highlights include her debut lead role as Rosina in Haydn’s La Vera Costanza (2025) and El Gato in Montsalvatge’s El Gato con Botas (2026) at RIAM Opera.

Siobhain O’Higgins studied collaborative piano at the Guildhall School of Music and was a Junior Fellow at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music. Since then she has been based in London, working mainly as a recitalist and a vocal coach. Recent performances include Rio Grande at the Fairfield Halls, Croydon; various recitals with soprano Elizabeth Watts at the BathMozart and North Norfolk Festivals; a recital of Horn and Piano music at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room, and a recital of song with Natasha Page at Steinway Hall after Siobhain was made a Steinway artist. Prizes include the GSMD’s own prize, and the Maggie Teyte Pianist Prize, which led to BBE Radio 3 broadcasts and a recital at the Linbury Studio, Royal Ballet and Opera. Siobhain has collaborated with Feis Ceoil over the past number of years, supporting vocalists and instrumentalists in recital and in competition.