170K

For Immediate Release

Handel and New Music

2 April 2007

The premiere of Irish composer Benjamin Dwyer's new work inspired by Handel takes place in St Audoen's Church, 2.30pm, Sunday 15 April 2007.

This new work is commissioned by Temple Bar Cultural Trust, with the commissioning process facilitated by the Contemporary Music Centre. It marks a development of the 2007 Handel Festival organised by Temple Bar Cultural Trust.

Dublin-born composer and guitarist Benjamin Dwyer studied music in Dublin, Belfast and London. His work has featured in festivals in Europe and all over Ireland. He was elected to Aosdána, Ireland's state-sponsored academy of creative artists, in 2005. Dwyer is artistic director of the Music 21 concert series and the new music group Vox 21. He now shares his time and work between Spain and Ireland.

Trio Quattro, consisting of Jenny Robinson (recorders), Anita Vedres (baroque violin), Ian Pritchard (violone), will perform the new work entitled Passacaille: an 18th-Century Stroll alongside works by Handel, Telemann and Quantz.

"The Contemporary Music Centre is delighted that new music is part of the 2007 Handel Festival. This reflects a growing appetite for bringing together different styles of music. We look forward to a memorable event", says Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre.

The Contemporary Music Centre is also once again involved in organising the popular Handel Talk and Walk with Dr Barra Boydell as part of this year's festival. Dr Barra Boydell is a music historian, expert and Senior Lecturer in Music at NUI Maynooth.

On Tuesday, 17 April, CMC's library will be the venue for a talk by Nicholas Carolan, Director of the Irish Traditional Music Archive, on Handel's publishers, John and William Neal, and Irish Traditional Music.

The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national library and promotion agency for new music. It has its home in a historic building in Fishamble Street in the Old City of Temple Bar. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

For further information on the Contemporary Music Centre and to book tickets for the Handel Walk and Talk contact Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8. Tel: 01 673 1922 Email: khennessy@cmc.ie web site: www.cmc.ie

For further information on the 2007 Handel Festival visit www.templebar.ie or call into the Temple Bar Cultural Information Centre. Tel: 01 677 2255 or email Roisin Mc Carthy: rmccarthy@templebar.ie Tickets for the concert in St Audoen's Church are available for collection from Monday 2 April, from the Temple Bar, Cultural Information Centre, 12 East Essex Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

Notes for Editors

11.00am - 12.30pm Friday 13 April 2007
Handel's Visit to Dublin 1741-2
CMC Library, 19 Fishamble Street, Dublin 8
Dr Barra Boydell, Music Historian and Senior Lecturer in Music NUI Maynooth
Booking: 01 673 1922 (max 35 people)

2.30pm - 4.00pm Friday 13 April 2007
A Walking Tour of Handel's Dublin
Starting from CMC, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8
Dr Barra Boydell, Music Historian and Senior Lecturer in Music NUI Maynooth
Booking: 01 673 1922 (max 16 people)

2.30pm Sunday 15 April 2007
Concert with Trio Quattro
Benjamin Dwyer - Passacaille: an 18th-Century Stroll
Handel - Violin sonata in d-major
Also Trio Sonatas by Handel, Telemann and Quantz
St Audoen's Church, High Street, Dublin 8
Booking: 01 677 2255

2.00pm - 3.00pm Tuesday 17 April 2007
Handel's Irish Publishers and Irish Traditional Music.
CMC Library, 19 Fishamble Street, Dublin 8
Nicholas Carolan, Director of the Irish Traditional Music Archive
Booking: 01 677 2255 (max 35 people)