Early Irish Harp Concerts in Kilkenny, Galway and Dublin

Ann Heymann.

Early Irish Harp Concerts in Kilkenny, Galway and Dublin

As part of the international Summer School of Early Irish Harp in August, the Historical Harp Society of Ireland is presenting its tenth summer concert series of medieval to eighteenth century Gaelic music in Kilkenny, Galway and Dublin.

As part of the international Scoil na gCláirseach — Summer School of Early Irish Harp, which takes place at Kilkenny School of Music 8 – 14 August, 2012, the Historical Harp Society of Ireland (HHSI) is presenting its tenth summer concert series of medieval to eighteenth century Gaelic music, Ceol don Rí — Music Fit for a King, in Kilkenny, Galway and Dublin.

The Kilkenny concert will present three of the world’s most celebrated historical harpists, namely Ann Heymann (USA), Andrew Lawrence-King (Guernsey) and Siobhán Armstrong (Ireland), who will play rare, early Irish harps strung in brass, silver and gold wires. They will be joined by Scots Gaelic singer Talitha MacKenzie, and the sean-nós singer from Galway Éamonn Ó Bróithe.

In the Galway and Dublin concert Ann Heymann and Siobhán Armstrong will be joined by Scottish historical piper Barnaby Brown and traditional singers Griogair Labhruidh and Talitha MacKenzie.

In the ten years of its existence, the HHSI has been exploring and researching the centuries-old musical landscape of Ireland and its Gaelic neighbour, the Scottish Highlands and Islands, which share a common culture, language and musical heritage. This research and collaboration with historical pipers and singers have helped to create unique concert programmes.

The performers will play replicas of the Trinity College or ‘Brian Boru’ harp — Ireland’s only surviving carved and bejewelled medieval harp, with brass, silver and 18-carat gold strings played in the ancient manner, with fingernails.

These concerts are as follows:

Kilkenny, St. Patrick’s Church, College Rd. on Thursday, 9 August at 8pm.
Galway, Nun’s Island Theatre, 23 Nun’s Island on Thursday, 16 August at 8pm.
Dublin  St. Ann’s Church, Dawson Street, Dublin 2, on Friday, 17 August at 8pm.

Tickets €15/ €10, payable at the door. Bookings: 087 6332891

irishharp.org 

Published on 31 July 2012

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