Over the past ten years, Music in Fermanagh has promoted classical concerts of the highest international standards. However, an upcoming concert featuring ‘The Fidelio Trio’ could mark the beginning of the charity’s final events due to a funding cut; the charity recently lost funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), provided via the National Lottery.
Music in Fermanagh’s final concert could mark the end of an era
Under the Arts Council’s Small Grants Program, the grant category under £10,000 that small charities typically apply for is no longer available.
“No notice was given that the £10,000-and-under grant was being pulled. Whilst we understand that funding priorities may change, it is a blow to lose ACNI support, and planning becomes increasingly precarious,” said Richard Pierce, the Chairman of Music in Fermanagh.
According to him, small charities operating in rural areas typically receive grants under £10,000, but they feel they are being discriminated against simply because they exist in a less populated area. The Fermanagh-based charity embraces everyone who enjoys rich live performances and the cultural heritage of classical music.
“We welcome absolutely everybody. The music and the performance are top-notch, with players and composers from all walks of life and all brands of Christianity and other faiths.” Richard Pierce emphasized.
Music in Fermanagh also promotes workshops for young people to gain experience and become inspired by musicians worldwide. The Fidelio Trio concert will be held at Saint Macartin’s Cathedral on February 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Darragh Morgan (violin), Tim Gill (cello), and Mary Dullea (piano) are musicians who will be performing. ‘These amazing Fidelio Trio’ promises to bring their audience an evening of fantastic chamber music
In 2016, the trio was shortlisted for the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards. They frequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and RTÉ Lyric FM and have been featured on Sky Arts; they have also performed at celebrated European, North American, and Asian concerts.
The program for the upcoming concert by ‘The Fidelio Trio’ includes Schubert’s lyrical String Trio, followed by Beethoven’s Piano Trio, and concludes with Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht. Mr. Pierce spoke of their aim of satisfying the appetite of people who enjoy hearing live performances of the very best European classical music composers and especially of exposing young people to that profound, rich cultural heritage that has come down to them.
The music world rallies behind charitable causes, such as the Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, who led a charity concert on February 3, 2025, to assist those affected by the devastating Spanish floods of October 2024. The concert’s dividends would go to the support of those affected by the Spanish floods that caused damage in October 2024, making many communities vulnerable.Â
The potential loss of Music in Fermanagh’s classical music concerts due to funding cuts is a profoundly moving reminder of the importance of supporting local arts initiatives.
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