The Contemporary Music Centre participates in the Bealtaine Festival on 11 May.

Continuing its 20th anniversary series, the Centre welcomes composer and harpist Anne-Marie O'Farrell to present an informal performance and talk in the Centre at 2.00 pm.

Bealtaine (from the pagan god, Baal, and 'tine', fire) is the Irish for May and is also the name of the ancient Celtic festival celebrating springtime. The Bealtaine Festival seeks to celebrate older age as a time of renewal, creativity and growth. Covering all art forms, it seeks to encourage greater participation in the arts by older people as artists and performers as well as event organizers and audience.

The organizers make the point that many of the most venerated artists in our society and internationally are in their elder years, and that much of what we hear about getting older is negative rather than positive. Since its inception in 1996 the Bealtaine Festival has grown every year and last year had some 840 events in 25 counties around Ireland.

Anne-Marie O'Farrell is a committed performer of new music and has premiered many works for the Irish harp. She will perform some of her own compositions as well as Slow Air and Aisling from The Crock of Gold Suite by Martin O'Leary; Spanish Arch by James Wilson and Impromptu by Henry Carpendale.

As soloist and accompanist she has toured extensively, and has appeared at the World Harp Congress, the Edinburgh International Harp Festival, Celtic Fest in Chicago, and the Lyon & Healy Harpfest in California. Her work as harpist, composer and pedagogue frequently brings her to international courses and seminars to give lecture recitals, masterclasses and workshops. She has also made several CDs, including Heads & Harps, Harping Bach to Carolan, and traditional Irish albums.

The recital and talk will last approximately one hour and visitors will also be given a guided tour of the library and sound archive, which comprises the only comprehensive collection in existence of music by modern Irish composers. Refreshments will follow and there will be an opportunity to mingle and chat with Anne-Marie.

The event takes place at the Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Dublin 8, on Thursday, 11 May 2006 from 2.00 - 3.30 pm. Admission is free but due to limited space booking is recommended.

Further information: Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, email khennessy@cmc.ie or tel. 01-673 1922.

CMC's events are made possible by the support of The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon

Posted: 2 May 2006