FROM THE humorous sounds of a piano depicting the movements of tortoises to the eerie ambience of 'Aquarium', Camille Saint-Saëns' Carnival Of The Animals, is loved equally by children and classical music connoisseurs.
Galway children and music lovers can enjoy a live performance of this work at the Town Hall Theatre on Tuesday October 15 at 7pm. Presented by the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children and Music for Galway, it will feature the Ficino Ensemble with narration by actor Helen Gregg. The director is Marc MacLochlainn. The show concludes with Franz Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A, D.667 “The Trout”.
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Composed in February 1886 as a piece of "fun" by the French composer, Carnival Of The Animals is scored for two pianos, two violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute, piccolo, clarinet, glass harmonica, and xylophone. It is arranged in 14 movements, with certain movements representing a different animal or species - the lion, hens and roosters, donkeys, tortoises, the elephant, kangaroos, marine life, birds, fossils, and the swan.
Along with Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Carnival Of The Animals is regarded as an ideal introduction for children to both classical music and the instruments which make up an orchestra.
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“We are delighted to be collaborating with Music for Galway on this wonderful event," said Aislinn ÓhEocha, Baboró executive artistic director. "Children and families can look forward to a very special performance."
“We have been looking for many years for the right project to present with Baboró," said Anna Lardi Fogarty, executive director of Music for Galway. "When our artistic director Finghin Collins took part in a performance of this work a few years ago, we knew we had the right fit. We would like to thank the Arts Council and SAP for supporting this event."
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As part of the project, Baboró and Music for Galway are working in partnership with Maoin Ceoil na Gaillimhe, on an accompanying education outreach programme. Maoin Cheoil na Gaillimhe is a dedicated school of music serving more than 1,000 children in Galway city and county. Over the past five weeks, MCnG has delivered a cross-curriculum Carnival of the Animals education pack to the children of 12 nationals schools in Galway city and county.
Developed by Hugh Kelly of Adventures in Music and MCnG, the educational material is re-enforced by a series of interective workshops where the staff of MCnG help children to connect to the Carnival... production through demonstration and conversation about the instruments in the show. “The response from each of the schools involved has been exceptional," said Kelly. "It is beautiful to see young children captured by the spell of Saint-Sae?ns’ music and bringing an energy and enthusiasm to each of the workshops.”
The show is suitable for ages 5+. Tickets are available via the Town Hall (091 - 569777, www.tht.ie ), musicforgalway.ie, or www.baboro.ie
