Music for Galway teams up with Mark Duley once again to present Membra Jesu Nostri a concert to mark Good Friday, which this year falls on April 15. It features the vocal ensemble RESURGAM and takes place at 5.00pm in St. Nicholas’ Church, Galway.
Buxtehude’s Membrea Jesu Nostri is one of the most dramatic yet intimate Holy Week works from the barque period. Resurgam’s performance will feature an ensemble of five singers and four players together with a five-part viol consort.
It will allow the Galway audience to hear this extraordinary cycle with the forces and in a manner which come close to that perhaps enjoyed by the good burghers of Lübeck in the Marienkirche who attended the Abendmusik concerts presented by the composer back in the late seventeenth century.
Resurgam was founded in 2003 by Mark Duley, and is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed vocal ensembles. Resurgam is the premiere project-based professional choir in the country, and many of its singers have parallel careers as soloists.
It inspires audiences and partner choirs the length and breadth of Ireland, bringing alive the emotional drama found in so much vocal music, especially that of the seventeenth century. The ensemble is committed to bringing fine choral music to the west of Ireland, and especially to places where hitherto there have been few, if any performances by professional choral ensembles.
It also values its relationships with local choirs in the west and enjoys sharing the expertise of its singers and players through workshops and coaching sessions.
Mark Duley is one of Ireland’s most well-known choral specialists and has led workshops and masterclasses for choirs and conductors in Ireland, the UK, and continental Europe. He founded Resurgam in 2003. He has directed the choir in numerous concerts and tours and over a wide range of repertoire.
Mark was born and raised in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, and came to Ireland in 1992. He has held several major posts in the country, including organist and director of music at Christ Church Cathedral Dublin, chorusmaster to the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir, artistic director of the Irish Baroque Orchestra, and artistic director of Pipeworks.
As conductor or organist, he has appeared with most of the major Irish ensembles, including RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Chamber Choir Ireland, the Irish Baroque Orchestra, Opera Theatre Company, and the Orchestra of St Cecilia. Mark lives in Co Galway, and aside from a busy freelance career, currently holds the post of organist at the Collegiate Church of St Nicholas, Galway. He is founder-director of St Nicholas Schola Cantorum (directing the five choral ensembles of which it is comprised ), and lectures at NUI Galway.
After the imposed break of two years (last year’s concert was delivered online ), this year’s Music for Good Friday concert is meant to give space for collective reflection for followers of any faith and none, as we mark this special day in the Christian calendar.
Tickets cost €25 / €22.50 concession. There is a reduced price for full time students and school going children of €10 and MfG Friends pay €21. To book or find out about how to join as MfG Friend, visit our website musicforgalway.ie or phone 091 705962 and leave a message.
Music for Galway gratefully acknowledges the support from the Arts Council.
