Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Irish Chamber Orchestra breathe new life into the noble, classical songs of our ancestors with Róisín Reimagined.

The sean nós tradition is undergoing a revival. During lockdown, award-winning singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh’s renditions of classic sean nós songs such as 'An Chúilfhionn' or 'Róisín Dubh' introduced a new generation of listeners to these melodically complex and richly ornamented songs.

Now Nic Amhlaoibh joins the Irish Chamber Orchestra for Róisín ReImagined, an exciting new project that pairs her peerless vocals with fresh orchestral arrangements of sean nós songs. Kilkenny Arts Festival and the Irish Chamber Orchestra have co-commissioned special arrangements from six leading Irish composers: Cormac McCarthy, Paul Campbell, Linda Buckley, Sam Perkin, Niamh Varian- Barry and Michael Keeney. Produced by Dónal O’Connor, Roisin ReImagined explores the connections between classical and traditional music, and reimagines these timeless songs for a new era.

These works typically date from the 16th-19th century, and bear the hallmarks of high art and learning. In many instances, they bear witness to the artistic culture of Gaelic Ireland, which was under siege and endangered; the high art of their era. Amongst them are classics such as Róisín Dubh, An Chúilfhionn, Slán le Máigh & An tSeanbhean Bhocht.

Brìghde Chaimbeul and Ross Ainslie started working on music around 4 years ago focusing on double C smallpipes. Recently they've been working alongside Steven Byrnes on bouzouki and guitar, performing and recording as a trio. Together they play a lot of material from all around the world and music that is not conventionally heard or played on the Scottish smallpipes. Here they perform their new album LAS, a collaboration featuring tunes from France, Scotland, Bulgaria, Ireland and some self-penned compositions.