This sounds Prom-ising!

A festival of iconic music will return to Cork this year marking an incredible 170-year milestone for one of the city’s most famous venues.

This April, the Cork Proms return with three spectacular concert programmes, celebrating 170 years since Cork Opera House first opened.

Over the past five years, this unique concert series has become a beloved favourite among music lovers and patrons alike, blending the best of contemporary and classical music.

Celebrating Cork’s rich musical prowess, The Cork Proms mixes much of the best in contemporary and classical favourites, featuring the Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra under the baton of some of Ireland’s leading conductors. The programme is curated by a team led by Cork Opera House CEO and Artistic Director, Eibhlín Gleeson, and directed by Davey Kelleher.

The series gets underway on 19 and 20 April with Epic Icons of Musical Theatre - Legendary Moments of Love, Loss, Dreams and Redemption. This concert, curated by Trevor Ryan and conducted by John O’Brien, will celebrate iconic figures of musical theatre, bringing to life unforgettable characters who have defined the stage. From Nancy in ‘Oliver!’, Jean Valjean in ‘Les Misérables’, to Maria in ‘The Sound of Music’, this Prom will showcase the magic of musical theatre’s most legendary roles.

This will be followed by The Ultimate Classics - Masterpieces from Popular Culture, on 23 April. The concert is curated and conducted by Gary Beecher and will feature music that has become the soundtrack to iconic moments in life and on screen. From the grandeur of the Champions League anthem to the epic strains of ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’ from ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, this concert celebrates the timeless pieces that define cinema, television, and culture.

The culmination of The Cork Proms 2025 will be a sensational celebration of pop royalty, titled‘Kings, Queens & Princes of Pop - Iconic songs by Queen, Prince, Elton John, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Michael Jackson & George Michael. Running on 26 and 27 April, this bold evening of timeless tunes, curated by Eibhlín Gleeson and Jack O’ Rourke, brings many iconic hits of pop legends to life with breath-taking live arrangements performed by a full orchestra and incredible soloists.

“The Cork Proms 2025 will be a highlight in our special 170th anniversary year,” said Cork Opera House CEO, Eibhlín Gleeson.

“We’re thrilled to showcase the icons that have shaped our world, offering spectacular performances that celebrate the best of these legendary figures. With our beloved Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra and some of Ireland's finest conductors and soloists, these concerts will be very special,” she said.

Tickets are available from corkoperahouse.ie and the Box Office on 021-4270022.