The Altissimo Quintet kick off new 'Night Music' series in Belfast

Night Music is a new series presented by Moving on Music and the Belfast Music Society at Belfast's The MAC, presenting top Irish and Northern Irish performers each Wednesday night in an informal setting where the audience can enjoy drinks and food while they listen. The programmes are a mix of 'familiar masterpieces' and new music, and are preceded by talks with the composers and artists.

The first of these events takes place on 5 February at 9pm features the Altissimo Quintet, "Ireland's only viola quintet" with Joanne Quigley and Paul O'Hanlon (violins), Adèle Johnson and Errika Horsley (violas), and Martin Johnson (cello). Their programme is a balance of the old and the new, with Vaughan Williams' Phantasy Quartet and works by Bartók and Kodály alongside a new work by Rhona Clarke, Ian Wilson's Winter's Edge  and the premiere of Stephen Gardner's Jigs and Reels for String Quartet.

The event also features a pre-concert discussion hosted by the Contemporary Music Centre,  Resonating Now: New Music Voices,  with artists and composers at 8.15pm.

Tickets cost £10 or £5 for under-25s, or £17.50/ 12.50 with wine and tapas. Future Night Music events include performances by Finghin Collins and Carol McGonnell, and Ioana Petcu-Colan. For more information see www.themaclive.com