(Credit: Joe Duffy)

The Sligo Baroque Music Festival has announced the appointment of mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty as its new Artistic Director starting in 2025.

Carty will succeed Nicola Cleary who has been director since 2019.

In a statement about her appointment, Carty said, “I’m honored and excited to take on this new role with Sligo Baroque and spend more time in this beautiful county. It’s particularly special for me as my family roots are here. This festival is a jewel in the music and festival scene of the northwest of Ireland, and I can’t wait to continue to build on the incredible work that has been done by Nicola and her team. I am particularly looking forward to establishing our very own Festival Chorus and working closely with singers in the region in the run up to my first festival in 2025.”

The Festival acknowledged the immense impact of Cleary’s time as artistic director, as well as her unwavering dedication and commitment to
enriching the cultural life of Sligo and surrounding areas during her tenure.

Carty is an alumna of the RIAM Dublin, MDW Vienna, and Oper Frankfurt Opera Studio. She has been an Artistic Partner to Irish National Opera and an Artist in Association of the Irish Chamber Orchestra and is a Creative Associate for the Arts Council Creative Schools scheme.