The Luminosa String Orchestra
Patrick Rafter appointed Principal Artistic Partner
from 2028
Patrick Rafter is delighted to accept the position of Principal Artistic Partner of The Luminosa String Orchestra
The appointment follows a highly successful series of performances together in 2026 and marks the beginning of a major new artistic collaboration.
The Luminosa String Orchestra Announces Patrick Rafter as Principal Artistic Partner from 2028
His appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Luminosa as we continue to expand our artistic ambitions and create compelling musical experiences for audiences across our home in Galway City and tours in 2028 and beyond.
As Principal Artistic Partner, Patrick will work closely with the orchestra to shape future programming, nurture artistic innovation, and develop projects that celebrate both the great masterpieces of the string and chamber orchestral repertoire and exciting new creative collaborations.
His leadership will play a central role in guiding Luminosa’s artistic direction while building on the orchestra’s growing reputation for adventurous programming and outstanding performance.
"We are thrilled to welcome Patrick to the Luminosa family,” said Lucy Hayward O’Leary, Executive Director. “His passion, creativity and generosity as a musician perfectly reflect the values of our orchestra. We are excited to embark on this journey together and look forward to sharing his artistic vision with our audiences.”
“I am honoured to join Luminosa String Orchestra as Principal Artistic Partner. Luminosa has established itself as an ensemble of remarkable energy, imagination and artistic integrity. Following a very successful series of concerts this year, a wonderful partnership has been formed. I look forward to working alongside these outstanding musicians to create inspiring performances and ambitious projects that connect deeply with audiences.”
— Patrick Rafter
The partnership will officially begin in 2028, with further details of Patrick’s inaugural artistic projects and concert programmes to be announced in due course.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Patrick Rafter to Luminosa as we look ahead to an exciting new era for the orchestra.
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Patrick Rafter is recognised and celebrated as one of Ireland’s foremost classical musicians, acclaimed for his mastery of the violin and extraordinary musicianship. Rafter has taken to the stage as a soloist, director, conductor, and recitalist across Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia. Garnering over a hundred prestigious awards, including the National Concert Hall Young Musician of the Year (Ireland), Clandeboye Festival Young Musician of the Year (UK), Valiant Violin Competition (Switzerland), London Performing Arts Competition (2017), RDS Music Bursary (Ireland), Dublin Feis Ceoil Conducting Competition (2022), and the Royal Academy of Music Sir Curtis Price Award (UK), Patrick has firmly established himself as one of Ireland’s leading classical musicians.
Patrick has collaborated with the foremost masters in today’s musical landscape, sharing the stage as a soloist with iconic performers such as Maxim Vengerov, Schlomo Mintz, Barry Douglas, and John O’Conor. Patrick has worked with many leading composers including Arvo Pärt and has also performed under the baton of leading conductors including Semyon Bychkov, Marin Alsop, Sir Mark Elder, and Gianandrea Noseda.
As a violinist, Patrick has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s notable orchestras and ensembles including Prague Philharmonia, Mannheim Soloists, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, RTE Concert Orchestra, Kyiv Soloists, and Camerata Ireland. He has performed in some of the most prestigious concert halls such as the National Concert Hall Ireland, Royal Albert Hall London, Berlin Konzerthaus, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, and Seoul Arts Centre.
In 2023, Patrick became the founder of the Marble City Music Festival (www.marblecitymusicfestival.com) in Kilkenny, Ireland. As Artistic Director, his mission is to curate an unparalleled classical music experience in his home city, showcasing world-class performers amidst an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality at each concert.
In 2020, Patrick used the COVID-19 pandemic to turn to conducting and commenced studies with renowned conductor, Alice Farnham. He continued studies and masterclasses with many leading Irish conductors including Ciaran Crilly, David Brophy, and Gavin Maloney. In 2021, Patrick was awarded a Conducting Fellowship with the UCD Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir. In 2022, he conducted the RTE Concert Orchestra and was awarded 1st prize in the Dublin Feis Ceoil National Conducting Competition.
Patrick is a lecturer at the Cork School of Music in Ireland, following a tenure as a guest lecturer at the Geneva Conservatory of Music Switzerland and a visiting professorship at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin. His students have won national and international competitions.
Patrick performs on a Jean Baptiste Vuillaume violin, made in Paris in 1842 and a 1925 Eugene Sartory bow, generously sponsored by the Music Network Capital Scheme and a private anonymous sponsor from Switzerland.
Patrick Rafter is recognised and celebrated as one of Ireland’s foremost classical musicians, acclaimed for his mastery of the violin and extraordinary musicianship. Rafter has taken to the stage as a soloist, director, conductor, and recitalist across Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia. Garnering over a hundred prestigious awards, including the National Concert Hall Young Musician of the Year (Ireland), Clandeboye Festival Young Musician of the Year (UK), Valiant Violin Competition (Switzerland), firmly establishing himself as one of Ireland’s leading classical musicians.
