Flourishing alongside Galway’s many other arts events is Galway Cathedral’s Summer Concerts. The series began in 1994 and is celebrating its 30th season this year.
Artistic Director Raymond O’Donnell said, “Galway Cathedral is a fantastic building in which to explore sound, space and light. Listening to the best of music echoing through the stone building while the evening summer sun streams through the stained-glass windows is a wonderful experience.
“When I came to Galway in late 1993, I wanted to raise public awareness of and appreciation for the cathedral’s pipe organ. I started the series as lunchtime organ recitals, and over the years with the help of a small but dedicated committee, we created our July/August Thursday evenings of organ plus collaborations with other instruments and art-forms. I’m particularly looking forward to this year’s unusual partnership; our opening concert is Irish Modern Dance Theatre presenting ‘Physical Semaphores’ – exciting dance choreography inspired by devotional organ music.
“Other performers this year include Galway locals; David Grealy and Mark Keane, and also Jeremiah Martin, who fits his passion for music alongside his career as a cardiothoracic surgeon in the USA. This season’s choral offering comes from our executive director Darina McCarthy, whose project choir, Audivi, will perform a rarely-heard Requiem setting by Ildebrando Pizzetti. And closing this year’s series with a special Saturday evening concert on August 19 will be the Esker Festival Orchestra, playing Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony under the baton of Peter Joyce.
“We can’t bring the organ to our audiences, as it’s impossible to move it from the building, so we encourage audiences to come to us and hear splendid music in a wonderful acoustic.”
For full concert information see recitals.galwaycathedral.ie or scan the barcode in the advert. Admission €15/€12. Tickets online through the website or at the door.
