Artists

Biography:

“The most impressive moments of these two performances were provided by the long-breathed phrasing of Lynda O’ Connor” – Michael Dervan The Irish Times

Lynda O’ Connor is one of the greatest Irish violinists of her generation. Showing particularly early promise she made her debut solo performance at the age of four in the National Concert Hall, Dublin which began her international career as soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader.

Lynda’s soloist career has included many memorable performances including Mozart Sinfonie Concertante with Nobuko Imai and Bach Double Violin Concerto with Chee Yun Kim alongside Camerata Ireland and a performance with Giles Apape and the International Mahler Orchestra at a Menuhin Tribute concert in Frankfurt. Lynda has also toured France performing Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. Other performances include Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, Beethoven, Bruch Bach and Mozart Violin Concertos with ensembles across Ireland, UK and the USA.

As a chamber musician, Lynda has collaborated with a dazzling array of artists including Barry Douglas, John O Connor, Michael Mchale, Finghin Collins, Alessio Bax, Celine Byrne, Fionualla Hunt and members of the Vanbrugh string quartet. Lynda made her debut USA broadcast in Boston with Barry Douglas. Lynda is a full time/founding member of several chamber ensembles including Ficino chamber ensemble, a large chamber group established by viola player Nathan Sherman, Trio Elatha, a classical/traditional crossover group with guitarist Brendan Walsh and cellist Ailbhe McDonagh, and a duo with pianist Alexander Bernstein. With these groups Lynda has enjoyed performances across USA, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany, UK and Ireland.

O’ Connor is in demand as an orchestral leader and performer, both at home and abroad, working with the International Mahler Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Camerata Ireland, The RTE Concert Orchestra, The Wexford Opera Orchestra, The National Orchestra of Ireland, The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, The Blackwater Valley Festival orchestra, Plano Symphony Orchestra, Aalborg Symphony Orchestra among others. She has toured internationally with these orchestras including performances in Carnegie Hall, Cadogan Hall as part of the BBC Proms, China, Mexico, Washington as part of the Smithsonian Festival, Theatre des Champs-Elysees in Paris as resident artists with Camerata Ireland, St Petersburg, Moscow, Belgium, Germany, Warsaw as part of the International Beethoven festival, Spain, Shanghai, Beijing and Finland as part of the Naantali International Festival. Lynda appeared as guest leader with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the Kilkenny Arts festival and has been appointed as one of two Concertmaster’s at the Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra.

Lynda has a keen interest in education and has been a member of the string’s faculty at the Royal Irish Academy of Music since 2016. She also is an active Suzuki violin teacher with a private practice at her home in Wexford

In May 2024 Lynda will make her debut as a Naxos recording artist with the release of the album Folk Tales 2 alongside cellist Gerald Peregrine and pianist Antony Ingham. On August 2nd of this year Lynda’s debut solo album “The Irish Seasons” will be released by AVIERecords with a recording of Vivaldi Four Seasons and a new commission by Irish Composer Ailbhe McDonagh The Irish Four Seasons, produced by multi Grammy award winner Judith Sherman. Lynda will perform the world premiere of this piece with the ensemble Anamus at the Ballaghaderreen Arts Festival in August of this year.

Lynda performs on a Gand and Bernardel violin form 1891.