Call for Contributions to 25^th Anniversary Book

A book commemorating the 25 year history of Galway Baroque Singers is being compiled by Anne McManus This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and Heike Felzmann This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Now is your opportunity to contribute to this publication. Photographs (electronic or otherwise), stories and anecdotes are welcome from members old and new, supporters and "groupies", and should be submitted before Wednesday, September 17th.

Please note that it may not be possible to include all contributions received in the final publication. The editorial team have the final say on the inclusion of all content.

New Bob Quinn Film Featuring Galway Baroque Singers Premieres

Bob Quinn's new film, "Vox Humana (Notes on a small opera)" will receive its official premiere at the 2008 Galway Film Fleadh. The film, which features the choir in performance, and also features some choir members in dramatic roles, has been filmed over the last 12 months in Galway.

The Galway Film Fleadh, which is in its 20th year this year, is a 6-day international film event, and runs from July 8th - 13th. More information on the Film Fleadh can be found on www.galwayfilmfleadh.com.

The film premieres on July 10th at 7PM in the Town Hall Theatre. Tickets are available from the Town Hall box office on (091) 569777. 

Click here for more information about Bob Quinn and Cinegael.

The Mayor of Galway, Cllr Tom Costello, chose to recognise Galway Baroque Singers' 25 years of performance in Galway with a special presentation to the choir before their performance in Leisureland. The gift, a specially-inscribed crystal vase, was made to Audrey Corbett, Choral Director and choir founder.

Also in attendance was Galway City Council's Culture Office, Mr. James Harrold. 

Our photo shows Mayor Costello making the presentation to Audrey. 

On Thursday, June 5th in Leisureland, the Galway Baroque Singers performed the Irish Premiere of Karl Jenkins' Stabat Mater.

Joining the choir in the performance were the RTE Concert Orchestra, conducted by Proinnsias Ó Duinn, and soloists Jurgita Adamonyte and Kathy Nugent.

The Stabat Mater, a 13th-century Latin poem depicting the suffering of the Virgin Mary during Christ's crucifixion, has inspired many composers down through the years, from Haydn to Verdi. Karl Jenkins' setting extends it to a universal depiction of grief by using ancient Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic texts, as well as a contemporary poem sung in English.

The work received its World Premiere in Liverpool Cathederal in March of this year, as part of Liverpool's celebrations as European City of Culture 2008, for which it was specially commissioned. EMI released a recording of the work in March  which has been a hit in classical charts all over the world.

Ms. Adamonyte, who took part in the Leisureland performance, also performed in Liverpool, and appears on the CD recording.

The choir were delighted to be given the honour of performing the premiere, and the fact that it took place in Galway made it all the more special, and was a perfect start to the choir's 25th Anniversary celebrations.