TEHO TEARDO may be less of a household name in Ireland than some of his fellow performers at this year's Galway International Arts Festival, but you are more aware of his music than you think.
The Italian musician and composer, and a founding member of the band Meathead, composed the music for Enda Walsh's Ballyturk, the flagship event of last year's festival, and this year he returns with a solo show, Return To Reason - Music For Man Ray, inspired by the pioneering surrealist artist.
Teardo has collaborated with artists such as Mick Harris, Jim Coleman, and Lydia Lynch. With Scott McCloud of Girls Against Boys, he formed the project Operator. They released the album Welcome to the Wonderful World in 2003 and toured with Placebo. In 2006 Teardo made an album, with Erik Friedlander, inspired by Pier Pablo Pasolini's poetry.
In recent years, he has branched out into film scores and sound installations, becoming one of the most active Italian composers for cinema. Among his finest soundtracks are those for Gabriel Salvatore's Denti, for which he won the Quality Prize from the Italian Minister for Culture; and Paola Sorrentino's The Family Friend and Il Divo. For the latter he won the Ennio Morricone prize and the 2009 David di Donatello Award.
Teardo's GIAF show takes place in St Nicholas' Collegaite Church this evening at 9 and will feature Teardo on guitar, violinist Elena De Stabile, and Stefano Azzolina on viola. For the finale they will be joined by 40 guitarists. For tickets see www.giaf.ie
