Show goes on despite theft of rare musical instruments

Irish early music group, ‘Tonos’, comprise of Róisín O’ Grady (soprano) and Eamon Sweeney (Renaissance and Baroque guitars and lute). They specialise in the music of the 16th–18th centuries and will play Solstice Arts Centre on Saturday 3rd October as part of their eight-date Arts Council-funded national tour.

The tour was in jeopardy following the theft of seven of Eamon’s instruments recently. The theft, which was widely reported in the media, included many rare historical instruments and left Eamon bereft. Thankfully the concerts have been able to proceed with borrowed lutes and guitars.

The tour coincides with the launch of their debut CD: ‘Songs of Identity and Belonging’ so the concert focusses on themes of identity as expressed in songs from across the centuries – including the oldest known song from 2000 years ago. Songs are repositories of the core emotions of a culture. They preserve the imprint of feelings and beliefs from ages past and are a huge part of who we are.

There will be music, song and poetry reflecting on our sense of nationhood, religion, love and mortality from Ireland, France, Italy, South America, Spain and England. The evening will include works by Turlough O’Carolan, Ruairi Dáll Ó Catháin, John Dowland, Gaspar Sanz, William Shakespeare and from the Irish Traditional canon. Tickets from €14 available online www.solsticeartscentre.ie or call box-office (046) 9092300.