Sligo Festival of Baroque Music began life in 1995 as Sligo Early Music Festival, conceived and implemented by Rod Alston and the Sligo Early Music Ensemble - which had been formed five years earlier.
Now in its fifteenth year, the festival aims to present high quality performance of baroque chamber music in a notably friendly and informal context. There is always a mix of performers, some with an enviable international reputation, others at some early stage of their careers. A feature of the festival is its attempt to foster the development of young performers – from the local youngsters who work under an experienced and renowned performer in the Baroque Youth Orchestra, to recently formed ensembles of young professionals.
Among those who have appeared at the festival are, English soprano, Emma Kirkby; tenor John Elwes; baroque violinists Elizabeth Walfisch, Maya Homburger, Claire Duff and Walter Reiter; flautist Wilbert Hazelzet; sopranos Julia Gooding and Lenneke Ruieten; harpsichordists Malcolm Proud (every year!) and Laurence Cummins.
The festival is currently organised by a Festival Committee, and receives support from The Arts Council, Sligo County Council Arts Service, The Model, as well as local businesses and individuals.
Dates for 2010 are 1st-3rd October, and the provisional programme will be announced shortly.
Offers of assistance will be enthusiastically received!
Contact: Rod Alston, Artistic Director, Sligo Festival of Baroque Music: 071-9854122; rodalston@eircom.net
Sligo Festival of Baroque Music Committee:
Avril Blennerhassett; Barbara Rolleston; Des McConville; Elizabeth Woodmartin; Freya Gillan; Isabelle Fahy; John Fahy; Margrit Fahy; Richard Woodmartin; Rod Alston; Steve Wickham; Suzanne Woods
