May 8th – 11th, 2014
www.galwayearlymusic.com

AD/BC, Greek, Roman and early European Music.
An Archaeolomusicological Adventure

Have you ever heard a tibia, or a carnyx or lyre? Wondered what Nero ‘fiddled’ as Rome burned or what Brian Ború’s harp sounded like? This year’s festival presents a series of concerts, lectures and workshops by the foremost European ensembles and researchers who not only ask the questions, but replicate the instruments and interpret the written and artistic sources to create a fascinating glimpse into the early musical culture of Europe.

An international host of performers includes Coracle, the trio of Griogair Labhruidh, Barnaby Brown and Siobhán Armstrong who look at the earliest Scottish and Irish music and song.  Simon O’Dwyer of Ancient Music Ireland joins forces with John Kenny,  Peter Holmes, and others to recreate the musical soundscape of the Celts. Luci Scaenici (Italy) demonstrates classical Roman music and Stefan Hagel looks at the performance of Greek epic poetry.

Swedish group Mare Balticum  gives an illustrated concert with replicatas of instruments found in the 17th century shipwreck Kronan. And for families, Moonfish Theatre with Ancient Music Ireland present a shadow puppet version of Buile Shuibhne – Mad Sweeney. University of Limerick chant choir Lucernarium rounds off the festival with a programme of medieval chant. Concerts, talks, demonstrations and street and family events – all in the liveliest medieval city in Europe!

GEM is honoured to be associate partners with the European Music Archeology Project (EMAP), with whose help we are able to present an adventurous and entertaining exploration of the roots of European music.

For more information visit www.galwayearlymusic.com
email:info@galwayearlymusic.com, Tel: +353 (0) 87 930 5506, Facebook: Galway Early Music and Twitter@ gwy_earlymusic