Breandáin O'Shea

Charles Spencer is renowned for his collaborative work with the legendary mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, creating unforgettable interpretations of lieder repertoire. Their partnership was characterised by a remarkable synergy, with Spencer's sensitive and expressive piano accompaniment perfectly complementing Ludwig's powerful and emotive vocal performances. Together, they brought to life the works...

Charles Spencer is renowned for his collaborative work with the legendary mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, creating unforgettable interpretations of lieder repertoire. Their partnership was characterized by a remarkable synergy, with Spencer's sensitive and expressive piano accompaniment perfectly complementing Ludwig's powerful and emotive vocal performances. Together, they brought to life the works...

Brett Dean is an acclaimed Australian composer and violist renowned for his captivating compositions and virtuosic performances. Born in Brisbane, Dean initially gained recognition as a member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra before transitioning to a successful career as a composer. His compositions, characterised by their rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and innovative use of orchestral...

Beki Probst is a pioneering figure in the world of international cinema, renowned for her dedication to promoting global film culture and fostering cross-cultural exchange. As the longtime director of the Berlin International Film Festival's European Film Market (EFM), Probst played a crucial role in transforming the EFM into one of the most influential film markets in the world. Her visionary lea...

Antje Weithaas is a distinguished German violinist celebrated for her profound musicality and technical brilliance. Born in Berlin, she began studying the violin at a young age, under the guidance of renowned teachers such as Tibor Varga and Ana Chumachenco. Weithaas's talent quickly garnered attention, leading to numerous accolades and awards, including top prizes at prestigious international com...

Anna Ditges was born in 1978 in Bonn, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. She is a director and writer, known for Wem gehört die Stadt - Bürger in Bewegung (2015), ICH WILL DICH - Begegnungen mit Hilde Domin (2007) and Die Unschärferelation der Liebe (2023).

Anita Lasker-Wallfisch is a cellist and Holocaust survivor whose life story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of music. Lasker-Wallfisch endured the horrors of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps during World War II. After the war, she found solace and purpose in music, eventually becoming a renowned cellist and a founding member of the English Chamber Orchestra. Las...

Andrew Logan is a British artist celebrated for his bold and imaginative creations that blur the boundaries between sculpture, performance, and costume design. Born in England, Logan's artistic vision is characterised by its flamboyance, wit, and irreverence, often incorporating found objects and unconventional materials into his works. He is perhaps best known for founding the Alternative Miss Wo...

Andreas Scholl is a world-renowned countertenor hailed for his exceptional vocal range, exquisite tone, and profound musicality. Born in Germany, Scholl's talent was recognised early, leading to a stellar career performing on prestigious stages around the globe. With a repertoire spanning from Baroque to contemporary classical music, Scholl's interpretations are marked by their sensitivity and emo...

Armistead Maupin is an American author best known for his groundbreaking "Tales of the City" series, which captivated readers with its vivid portrayal of San Francisco and its diverse cast of characters navigating life, love, and identity. Born in Washington, D.C., Maupin's writing is characterised by its wit, warmth, and compassionate exploration of LGBTQ+ themes. Through his novels, Maupin has b...

Amanda Holden was a British pianist, librettist, translator, editor and academic teacher. She is known for translating opera librettos to more contemporary English for the English National Opera, and for writing new librettos, especially in collaboration with Brett Dean. Amanda Holden died in September 2021.

A.L. Kennedy, born Alison Louise Kennedy, is a Scottish writer renowned for her poignant and incisive storytelling. With a body of work spanning novels, short stories, plays, and non-fiction, Kennedy's writing explores the complexities of human relationships, often delving into themes of love, loneliness, and the search for meaning. Her prose is characterised by its sharp wit, dark humour, and pro...

Azar Nafisi, a captivating literary voice, is renowned for her profound exploration of the power of literature to shape lives and societies. Born in Iran and educated in the United States, Nafisi's unique perspective bridges cultures, offering readers a deeper understanding of the human experience. Best known for her memoir "Reading Lolita in Tehran," which vividly recounts her experiences teachin...

In an exclusive interview with Breandáin O'Shea, the incomparable Dianne Reeves opens up about her illustrious journey in music. Born into a family steeped in musical heritage in Detroit, Michigan, Reeves' upbringing laid the groundwork for her remarkable career. From her early days playing piano and singing in high school bands to catching the attention of jazz luminaries like Clark Terry, Reeves...

(SINGER) In this exclusive interview with the eminent tenor Ian Bostridge, we embark on a fascinating exploration of his musical odyssey, with a particular focus on his deep affinity for the art of lieder singing. Bostridge, renowned for his interpretative prowess and emotionally resonant performances, shares insights into the nuanced world of German art songs and their profound place they have pl...

(Author)Åsa Larsson is known for her crime novels, particularly the Rebecka Martinsson series set in the northernmost parts of Sweden. Her books often blend elements of crime, legal drama, and exploration of complex characters against the backdrop of the Arctic landscape.

(Author) In this interview with Breandáin O'Shea, best-selling author Andrew Sean Greer opens up about his fascinating literary journey. Raised as an identical twin in the Washington, DC suburbs, Greer's unconventional path led him through careers as diverse as chauffeur and television extra before he found his true calling in writing. His works, including "The Confessions of Max Tivoli" and "Less...

(CONDUCTOR) In this captivating interview, Breandáin O'Shea meets Michael Tilson Thomas, the legendary conductor and composer. With a lifetime of experience in the world of music, Tilson Thomas shares invaluable insights on nurturing young talents and the delicate balance between conducting and composing. Join us as we delve into Michael Tilson Thomas' musical world, and discover his personal fasc...

(AUTHOR)A captivating conversation where author Alain de Botton delves into the world of 'Living Architecture.' Hosted by Breandáin O'Shea, this interview offers a fascinating insight into de Botton's book, exploring the profound connections between our environments and our well-being. Breandáin O'Shea with Alian de Botton

(MUSICIAN) In this episode, we explore the music of Beethoven. Sir András Schiff's impact on the world of classical music is immeasurable, and this episode provides a fascinating glimpse into his continuing legacy and influence.

(MUSICIAN) Welcome to the first episode a two-part podcast featuring the legendary Sir András Schiff, a true luminary in the world of classical music. With a career spanning decades, Sir András has mesmerised audiences with his mastery of the piano and musical interpretation. In this episode, we delve into his remarkable journey, from his early days in Budapest, where he studied under the tutelage...

(FILM)Australian filmmaker Scott Millwood, is known for his unique approach to documentary filmmaking, which includes the thought-provoking "Proximity," "Wildness," and "What Ever Happened to Brenda Hean?" With just a handful of films to his name, Millwood has made a significant mark on the documentary landscape. Interview Breandáin O'Shea/Scott Millwood

Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard is an internationally acclaimed conductor known for his outstanding musicianship and innovative programming. He recently completed his tenure as Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and holds several honorary conductor titles. Dausgaard has conducted leading orchestras worldwide and is celebrated for his "Roots" programs, which blend classical mu...

(MUSICIAN) Giora Feidman is a world-renowned clarinetist born 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hailing from a family of klezmer musicians, his parents had immigrated from Bessarabia to escape persecution. Giora began his career with the Teatro Colón Symphony Orchestra in Buenos Aires, later becoming the youngest clarinetist ever to join the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. In the early 1970s, he em...

(MUSICIAN) Violinist Sherban Lupu has died, aged 71. He was considered one of the leading Romanian violinists of the last century and a champion of Enescu’s compositions. Born in Brasov, Romania in 1952, Lupu studied at the Bucharest Conservatory with George Manoliu, going on to study in London at the Guildhall School of Music with Yfrah Neaman. He took lessons and master classes with violinists i...