PAST EVENTS
2023
‘The Marvel - Jacquet de la Guerre’
Director Claire Duff
In partnership with Finding a Voice, for International Women’s Day
The role of female composers in the Baroque period has recently come into focus, with audiences and musicians increasingly becoming aware of the astonishing contributions that women made to the genre. In this special digital feature Claire Duff, Aisling Kenny and musicians from the IBO explore the story of Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, with performances of two of her trio sonatas and a cantata ‘Le Sommeil de L’Ulisse’.
Digital Release: March 8
Bach ‘St Matthew Passion’
Director Peter Whelan | Evangelist James Way | Sestina Music
Soprano Hilary Cronin, Sarah Keating, Charlotte Trepess | Alto Beth Taylor, Francesco Giusti | Tenor Chris Bowen, Guy Cutting | Bass William Gaunt, Malachy Frame | Musical Director, Sestina Mark Chambers
In partnership with Music in Kilkenny and Music for Galway
The St Matthew Passion was composed in 1727 during Bach’s extraordinary Leipzig period, and has endured as a titan of the Baroque repertoire. A revival of the piece in 1829 by Felix Mendelssohn, describing it as “the greatest of all Christian works”, sparked a broader movement of interest in Bach’s music which has stood the test of time. This powerful and moving work is brought to life by the IBO and the voices of Sestina, under the artistic direction of Peter Whelan.
March 23 St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, 6.30pm
March 24 St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, 7.30pm
March 25 Galway Cathedral, 7.30pm
Handel 'Messiah'
Director Peter Whelan | Soloists Hilary Cronin, Helen Charlston, Mark Chambers, Anthony Gregory, Frederick Long & Edward Grint
In partnership with the Wigmore Hall and Culture Ireland
The Irish Baroque Orchestra makes its Wigmore Hall debut with Handel’s ‘Messiah; the Dublin premiére of which was a defining moment in Ireland’s cultural history. With step-out solos taken by members of a specially-assembled lineup of stellar singers, this is sure to be a rendering of Messiah unlike any other.
April 2 Wigmore Hall, London, 7pm
‘Emotional Motivations - from Buxtehude to Bach’
Director John Butt | Tenor Hugo Hymas | Flute Miriam Kaczor | Oboe Emma Black
In partnership with Music in Kilkenny and the National Concert Hall's Associate Ensemble programme
The IBO welcomes renowned director, organist and musicologist John Butt and rising star Hugo Hymas for a programme exploring deep emotion in the German Baroque. Works by Bach and Buxtehude showcase the emotional implications of textual expression, combined with their mastery of rich harmonies and dark textures. ‘Emotional Motivations’ offers the opportunity for audiences to be transported and inspired, through deep and reflective calm.
May 13 National Concert Hall, Dublin, 7.30pm
May 14 The Concert Hall, Thomastown, 4pm
Buxtehude Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele (BuxWV 71), Hoffmann/Bach Meine Seele rühmt und preist (BWV 189), Buxtehude Quemadmodum Desiderat Cervus (BuxWV 92), Bach Ich Armer Mensch, Ich Sündenknecht (BWV 55)
‘Quintessential’
Director Tom Foster
In partnership with the National Centre for Early Music (Beverley Early Music Festival) and Culture Ireland
The IBO visits the Beverley Early Music Festival for the first time, with guest director Tom Foster. ‘Quintessential’ explores music from Central Europe, where composers were inspired by use of the 5-part string band (an inheritance from the rich sound world of Lully’s writing). This developed with fashionable new harmonic frameworks from Italy, with Corelli’s influence clearly in evidence. This performance creates a journey that sets dark and sombre moments alongside exuberant virtuosity - be transported back in time by 300 years with the musicians of the IBO!
May 28 Toll Gavel Church, Beverley, Yorkshire |
Muffat Sonata No.2 in G minor and Sonata No.5 in G major from Armonico Tributo, Biber Sonata III in d minor from Fidicinium sacro, Telemann Sonata in F major TWV 44:11, Weichlein Sonata VI in F major from Encænia musices