Skibbereen Arts Festival

THURSDAY JULY 2936TRADITIONALGAELIC CHOIRSAT ABBEYSTREWRY CHURCHCÓR THAOBH A’ LEITHIDCór Thaobh a’ Leithid is a traditional Gaelic choir from theDonegal Gaeltacht. Their approach to choral arrangement istruly unique in that they keep to the traditional Irish styleof singing without straying into the more familiar classicalstyle. Their singing is lush with flowing ornaments, free-stylephrasing and they illustrate a deep understanding of seannóssinging. Their harmonies are modal which give you atrue sense of what Gaelic music is about. They have a veryextensive repertoire from lonely immigration songs to jollydrinking songs to heartbreaking love songs.CÓR CÚIL AODHACór Cúil Aodha was founded by SeánÓ’Riada in the musical heartland of theWest Cork Gaeltacht of Baile Mhuirne in1964. This region, though historically richboth in instrumental and vocal music, grewin fame through its association with SeanO’Riada. Shortly after their formation Seánalso arranged them into a claisceadal orgroup-singing of traditional songs. The choirperforms consorts of this secular music as wellas their liturgical singing. Peadar O’Riada hasbeen director of the choir since his father’sdeath in 1971 and it is he who composesmuch of their music. Generations of CulAodha men have added their voices to thisrich and resonant choir and it has achievedcult status in traditional circles.ABBEYSTREWRY CHURCH| 8.00PM | €15Sponsored by