The Galway Music Residency’s ambitious new Lunchtime with ConTempo project entitled From Europe with Love continues on Tuesday 4th December at 1:10pm in St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. This three-year initiative celebrates the shared musical heritage of the European Union by exploring the string quartet repertoire from each of its 27 member countries. Speakers from the featured nations, embassies and local communities will introduce each concert providing unique personal perspectives on the music to be performed.

During this fourth edition of From Europe with Love, audiences will be taking on a trip to the Czech Republic via America! The wonderful ConTempo Quartet will perform Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 12, most commonly known as The American Quartet. Dvořák composed this while on summer break from his position of Director of the National Conservatory in New York City. In the countryside of Iowa, surrounded by nature and his children who were visiting, the composer was in a very content state of mind. This produced an undoubtedly joyful work full of optimism, colour and humour. The work was most certainly inspired by Dvořák’s time in the United States, with African-American influences heard throughout. However, it is also full of typically Czech or Slovak characteristics, staying through to its creator’s origins.

The Galway Music Residency is delighted to announce that this concert, in celebration of the Czech Republic, will be introduced by its Ambassador to Ireland Petr Kynštetr. The honourable ambassador will give a personal reflection of this great work before ConTempo take to the stage.

The Galway Music Residency’s Lunchtime Deal Partner Busker Brownes will be offering concert-goers 10% off their post-concert lunch. A minimum of €10 applies.

Proudly supported by NUI Galway (Education Partner), the Arts Council, GMIT, and Galway City and County Councils, admission to this event is free, open to all and early arrival is recommended. From Europe with Love will take place on the first Tuesday of each month (September-June excepting January) until June 2021. For further information, visit www.thegalwaymusicresidency.ie.