Formed in 2003, under the artistic direction or Sarah Cunningham, the East Cork Early Music Festival has developed a reputation as one of the premier small festivals in the Irish music calendar.
Every September the event brings internationally renowned performers of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music to audiences throughout Cork City and County.
Historic local landmarks such as St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Fota House and Cloyne Cathedral, as well as the recently completed Curtis Auditorium in the Cork School of Music have hosted concerts by the worlds leading early music performers.
Emma Kirkby, The Palladian Ensemble, Barthold and Wieland Kuijken, Quintessential, James Bowman, The London Handel Players, Rachel Brown, Irish Baroque Orchestra and Bob van Asperen, to name but a few, have played to enrapt audiences. Eamonn Lawlor of Lyric Fm called the 2005 performance of Monteverdi’s 1606 Vespers (North Cathedral), “magnificent .. one of our musical highlights of the decade..”
With the range of spectacular venues throughout scenic East Cork and city, surrounded by world renowned restaurants and hotels such as Ballymaloe House, the Festival has been a huge success with audiences and performers alike, enjoying not just the music but also the local hospitality, flavours, culture and history.
This year’s festival “Saints and Sinners, Sirens and Singers” explores several historical landscapes, beginning with the Flautadors concert “Music for the Queen of Scots”,a programme of exquisite gems from the Scottish Renaissance and lively French dances,interspersed with the words and poetry of the ill-fated queen herself.
The Irish Baroque Orchestra takes us on a journey through 18th century musical life in Ireland with its concert “Ireland 1750” and the Irish premiere of “Sacred Hearts, Secret Music“, adapted from Sarah Dunant’s bestselling novel Sacred Hearts, brings us the ethereally beautiful music of a 16th century convent in Italy. The majestic St. Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh will provide an apt setting for this haunting drama.
Viola da gamba virtuoso Suzanne Heinrich in Fota House at lunchtime on Saturday 18th is followed by an afternoon of fun-filled activities for all the family in Fota House and Gardens as well as free concerts by students from the CIT Cork School of Music.
“Angels and Devils” , a sparkling and scintillating programme of exciting music by Biber , Corelli and the famous Devil’s Trill by Tartini is performed by Stylus Phantasticus on Saturday evening in the marvellous acoustic of the Curtis Auditorium of the CIT Cork School of Music.
Smaointe Taitneamhach , a group of Cork-based early musicians start the Festival Day in Cobh on Sunday 19th with their concert “Elegance and Endurance” at lunchtime in Christchurch, Rushbrook . Before the final performance of the Festival, at 4 oclock in Cobh Cathedral, audiences may enjoy discovering the serenity of the Bible Garden at St Benedict’s Priory with its fragrant flowers, spices and exotic fruits.
