TODAY, TOMORROW, Saturday, and Sunday, the narrow streets of Galway city centre’s mediaeval past will come alive with mediaeval music for the 16th annual Galway Early Music Festival.
A highlight of this year’s festival will be the concert from British vocal ensemble I Fagiolini, who will perform The Twisted World of Musical Patronage in St Nicholas’ Church tomorrow at 8.30pm.
Founded in Oxford University in 1988 by Monteverdi specialist Robert Hollingworth, I Fagiolini have since toured all over the world, performing more than 50 concerts a year.
They specialise in Italian and English Renaissance music, but also include some contemporary music in their repertoire. This will be their debut Galway show.
Tickets are €20 and discounted prices are available. Tickets can be purchased at www.galwayearlymusic.com or by calling Maura on 087 - 9305506.
Other concerts to look forward to over the weekend include The King Dances: 17th Century Patronage & Politics on the Musical Stage from The Irish Consort on Saturday. This show will feature music written for the flamboyant 17th century musical theatre pieces called masques.
The Irish Consort explores the European, renaissance, and baroque repertoire. The group features harpist Siobhan Armstrong, soprano Roisin O’Grady, violinist Claire Duff, recorder player Laoise O’Brien, and viol player Nicholas Milne.
The festival will be officially launched in the Nuns Island Theatre at 7pm this evening. For a full programme of events see www.galwayearlymusic.com or call Maura on 087 - 9305506.
