Alongside Glyndebourne, Loughcrew and the proms, madrigals are an undeniably summery type of music. For the past 500 years, travelling from Italy and across Europe, madrigals set poetry to music in a beautifully light, harmonious manner. This summer over 3 nights (July 22-24), the National Chamber Choir of Ireland under the direction of Paul Hillier bring a programme of madrigals to three venues around the country.
On 4 September next, the National Chamber Choir will perform in Cashel Cathedral, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. Music for Tipperary are presenting Music for the Golden Vale featuring contemporary Irish works from Ian Wilson, Rhona Clarke and Elaine Agnew-RTE lyric fm’s 2009 (and first ever) composer in residence - as well as pieces by Lesur and Palestrina. Conductor, James Wood will be joined by traditional sean-nós singer, Iarla Ó Lionáird and the world premiere of The Beloved and Her Lover, a specially commissioned work by Ian Wilson, will also be performed on the evening. “The Beloved and Her Lover is based on the dialogue between the Beloved and her Lover in the Song of Songs. These exotic and sensuous poems have inspired composers for centuries, and in this programme you can hear contemporary settings of these celebrated poems not only by Ian Wilson, but also by Elaine Agnew and Daniel … There’s more
