Tradition meets high art at Early Music Festival

Date Published: {J}

The Galway Early Music festival returns to the medieval streets of Galway again this year from May 17 to 20.

The theme of this year’s festival is Social Harmony: When Tradition and High Art Meet, which looks at what happens when tunes played at a peasant’s wedding find their way into the music at a castle feast, when hurdy-gurdy and bagpipes become the fashion at court, and when baroque harp discovers New World rhythms.

Voted among the top six international festivals in Classical Music Magazine 2011, the Early Music Festival will celebrate its 17th year in May with a a mix of international and Irish performers.

This year’s highlights include performances from the Cois Cladaigh Chamber Choir; François Lazarevtich and Les Musiciens de St-Julien;the Harp Consort with Andrew Lawrence-King; and Coracle featuring the acclaimed Irish harpist Siobhán Armstrong with pipers Barnaby Brown and Griogair Labhruidh

Ranging from the medieval roots of traditional music to the music of the baroque courts of France, the festival will open on May 17 with a celebratory performance by the acclaimed Cois Cladaigh Chamber Choir, who celebrate their 30th anniversary this year.

These three days of glorious music, dance and song from France, Ireland, Scotland, Spain and the New World will finish on May 20. There will also be an array of free family events, from theatre to music and dance demonstrations.

For a full programme of events and ticket prices visit www.galwayearlymusic.com <http://www.galwayearlymusic.com