AFTER more than three decades of bringing world-class Baroque music to the county, the Sligo Baroque Festival returns this month with a programme designed to welcome everyone from lifelong classical music enthusiasts to families and those experiencing Baroque music for the first time.
Now in its 31st year, the festival has become an established part of Sligo’s cultural calendar, combining performances from internationally renowned musicians with concerts, workshops, masterclasses and events aimed at introducing new audiences to the music.
At the heart of this year’s programme is Handel’s Dixit Dominus, which the festival choir has been preparing since January, alongside performances from musicians travelling to Sligo from Ireland, Germany, Austria and beyond.
For artistic director Sharon Carty, the variety of this year’s programme is particularly important.
“I’m really glad that that comes across, because that’s been really important to me that we have something for all ages,” she said.
That starts with the youngest members of the audience, with a family concert aimed at children aged from zero to five, while the festival’s educational programme also extends into local primary schools, where festival artists will deliver workshops.
For those interested in what goes on behind the performances, there will be opportunities to get closer to the music itself. Cellist Robin will give a lecture-recital on the Baroque cello, while the festival’s tenor, who is travelling from Berlin, will work with young singers.
“I think that’ll be really interesting for people to see how a classical singer prepares for a festival like this in the background,” Sharon says.
The programme then builds towards the festival’s main concerts, alongside appearances from the Sligo Academy of Music and Sligo Baroque Orchestra – events which have become firm favourites with audiences over the years.
For the full preview of the event, buy this week’s Sligo Weekender (September 17) – Out now in shops and online.
