From Aug. 5–14, the 43rd Annual Kilkenny Arts Festival will draw visual artists, musicians, writers and performers to the green expanses of Ireland’s heritage capital. This year, the city’s medieval architecture and riverside serve as a backdrop to actor Stephen Rea reading Seamus Heaney’s Aeneid: Book VI, live theater including The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean and readings by Poet in Residence Paul Muldoon. Throughout the course of the festival, Mozart: Prince of Music will feature performances by Christian Blackshaw presenting the Complete Piano Sonatas, the Irish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Gábor Takács-Nagy playing the Late Symphonies; tenor John Mark Ainsley performing Idomeneo; and a unique performance by Malcolm Proud, who will present Music for Clockwork & Glass, showcasing works by Mozart composed for the glass organ and mechanical clockwork organ. While there’s far too much scheduled to list all the available experiences at Kilkenny Arts Festival, the program also features poetry workshops, folk music, jazz and lecture-discussions. Special events include In Search of the Irish Dreamtime, during which Professor J.P. Mallory looks at the myths and traditions of Ireland; a special one-man show and European debut of Surviving Twin by singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III; and a live art-in-the-moment session with artist Mick O’Dea as he captures the festival’s performers in paint at the James Stephens Barracks. Inflatable art is the focus at Castle Park, when the Architects of Air present Katena. The forest surrounding the park will be the setting for a torch-lit evening showing of Behind the Dark, a meld of dance and acrobatics by performers Loosysmokes. The festival also includes Secret Garden Music, with pop-up musical and other performances in gardens throughout the city, including the 18th-century Castle Yard, Rothe House Garden, Black Abbey Garden and Castle Rose Garden. A full schedule appears on the festival website so you can plan ahead.