EAMON SWEENEY CURATING SIX CONCERTS
A SERIES of six concerts curated by Music Network musician in residence Eamon Sweeney will take place at Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray from Thursday, December 13, to Saturday, May 25, 2019.
‘Concerts at Mermaid’ is being arranged in conjunction with Music Network, Wicklow County Council and Mermaid.
The series highlights some of Ireland’s finest musicians while introducing international musicians of renown. Musician in residence Eamon Sweeney has put together a rich and varied programme of outreach and concerts reflecting his passions – early music, irish music, classical music, poetry, song, music for children and babies.
On December 13 ‘Tradition in the Royal Court’ features Paula Murrihy (Mezzo Soprano), Colm Mac Con Iomaire (Violin), Cormac Breatnach (Susato Whistles), Eamonn Bonner (Tenor) and Eamon Sweeney (Lute and Early Guitars) performing music by Dowland, O Catháin, and from the traditional canon. Irish music and musicians were prized in Renaissance Europe, and this special concert explores Irish music in Renaissance Europe.
‘The First 100 Years’ with the Irish Chamber Orchestra takes place on Thursday, January 17, and features special guests Mary Coughlan, Theo Dorgan, Sonamus – Cormac Breatnach (Susato Whistles), Annette Cleary (Cello), Rachel Factor (Harpsichord) and Eamon Sweeney (Guitars). In 1919 the first Dáil convened in Dublin and the first Democratic Programme for Government was devised. There have been changes in Irish society over the last century that would have been inconceivable to those first TDs. This very special concert will reflect on 100 years of the Irish Republic through poetry, music, and song - including a newly composed work by Fiachra Trench and featuring some of Ireland’s finest artists.
On Friday, February 8, harpist Triona Marshall comes together with guitarist Tim Edey, and the Rithim Orchestra from Music Generation Wicklow in a once-off meeting of established and up-and-coming virtuosos. Hear some stunning guitar and harp playing from two leading lights of the traditional music world; music from musical stars of the future; and an exciting coming together of all the musicians.
On Friday, March 29, composer and musician Brian Irvine will be joined by Malachy Robinson (bass), Francesco Turrisi (multi-instrumentalist) and Eamon Sweeney (guitar) for a concert of newly-composed works, improvisations and on-the-spot creations produced in association with Music Generation Wicklow.
On Friday, April 26, baroque guitarist Xavier Diaz-Latorr brings his incredible virtuosity to Ireland for the first time. The 17 th century was a golden age for the guitar and some of the period’s greatest musicians played and composed for it.
For the final concert in the series on Saturday, Mary 25, renowned Portuguese company ‘Concertos para Bébes’ perform with Eamon Sweeney, a concert of music for babies and families that will include their own arrangements of Irish and Baroque music including – Dia di bheatha (Aodh ac Aingil); Canarios (Gaspar Sanz) and Monteverdi. Concertos para Bebés specialise in concerts where babies are invited to listen to classical music, traditional songs, from pop-rock, and vocal-instrumental improvisations with the participation of everybody in the audience. From Monteverdi to Mozart, from the small Portuguese guitar to the didgeridoo, astonishment is exchanged and sighs are heard.
For tickets to all performances, go to mermaidartscentre.ie.