Michael OToole Guitar

Michael O'Toole studied for many years with John Feeley in the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama and also spent two years studying with the renowned Cuban virtuoso Ricardo Iznaola in Denver, Colorado. He has since established himself as one of Ireland’s leading guitarists, giving many memorable recitals and becoming Artistic Director of both The Waltons International Guitar Festival and the “Chord” Ennis International Music Festival. Michael is also on the board of directors of the prestigious Kilkenny Arts Festival.Michael has performed extensively throughout Ireland, America and the UK, and has performed live several times on national radio and television, including a live broadcast of Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez on Lyric FM with the RTE Concert Orchestra. His commitment to contemporary music and to the expansion of the guitar repertoire has led him to work with prominent Irish composers such as Eric Sweeney, Jerome de Bromhead, David Fennessy and Ian Wilson. He has also performed in ensemble with such groups as the Opera Theatre Company, the RTE Concert Orchestra, the Dublin Guitar Quartet and The National Symphony Orchestra.Despite his busy performance schedule, Michael also shows a deep commitment to education. He is on the faculty of The Royal Irish Academy of Music, the Music Department at Waterford Institute of technology, and also the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. Michael plays a guitar specially made for him by acclaimed Irish luthier Michael O’Leary.“…I was knocked out by his performances… he revealed a talent for telling stories with his hands and weaving meticulous trains of musical thought, delivered with a fair punch.” Tim Panting, Classical Guitar Magazine.“In Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez the playing of soloist Michael O’Toole was fluent, shapely and always apt.” Martin Adams, Irish Times.“O’Toole is a powerful player who gave great accounts of Giuliani’s Grand Overture and Rodrigo’s Invocacion y danza” Tim Panting, Classical Guitar Magazine. I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4