MONSTERS AND fairies, poets and singers, heroes and villains will all be part and parcel of the Galway Early Music Festival, which runs from May 9 to 12.
The festival will celebrate medieval renaissance and baroque vocal and instrumental music, with a special emphasis on 17th century Italian music, early Irish poetry, and the darker side of fairytales.
Erin Headley and her award-winning ensemble Atalante will join the Resurgam choir for a concert of 17th century Roman laments in St Nicholas Collegiate Church on Saturday May 11 at 8pm.
A fresh new look at the Germanic folk tales of the brothers Grimm will be seen in Sonnets for the Cradle in An Taibhdhearc on Friday May 10 at 8pm. This multi-media show was devised by recorder player Laoise O’Brien with artwork by Lorna Donlon.
Contempo cellist Adrian Mantu and Irish guitarist John Feeley will present Lost Innocence: Pastoral Music and Poetry through the Ages on Friday May 10 at 1pm in the chapel of the Poor Clares, Nuns Island.
In Aughnanure Castle, Oughterard, on Sunday 12 at 4pm and 6pm, Ann and Charlie Heymann and Simon O’Dwyer will perform bardic poetry with harp accompaniment.
The Festival Family Event in the Ruby Room, The King’s Head on Saturday May 11 at 11am features Medieval Magician Nemo who will invite the audience to become his apprentice.
For more information and tickets contact www.galwayearlymusic.com, 087 - 9305506.
