Press Releases26 Feb 08

Cappella Nova presents St Patrick's Praises in St Patrick's Cathedral Armagh

The celebrated Scottish medieval ensemble CANTY (the four female voices of Cappella Nova) sings a lovely 15th century Irish Office for St Patrick in a performance that will be a world premiere in modern times. Accompanied on the medieval wire-strung clarsach (Celtic harp) by the superb virtuoso improviser, William Taylor, they revive this forgotten musical treasure in magical retellings of tales from St Patrick’s life, opening a window onto the world of Ireland in the middle-ages.

Rebecca Tavener, director of Canty, says “it is a privilege to be the first to perform this musical national treasure of Ireland in modern times, and to celebrate Patrick, one of the world’s favourite saints, in this way”. Canty and participating community choirs including Cappella Nova’s Scottish Plainsong Choir, aim to make each occasion an event which brings people together.

These performances have been made possible due to ground-breaking research by the musicologist Dr Ann Buckley of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, who transcribed and edited the original manuscripts housed in the library of Trinity College, Dublin. The Latin texts have been translated by Senan Furlong OSB of Glenstal Abbey.

There are eight live performances in Ireland and Scotland.

A new CD featuring the entire Office will be launched at the performances:

Order it from your record dealer or buy it at the venues!

Tickets £10.00 (conc. £7.00)
Armagh Tourist Information Centre: 028 3752 1800

For further information, press tickets and interviews, please contact:
Rebecca Tavener (Director, Canty)
172 Hyndland Road Glasgow G12 9HZ
Tel: +44 (0)141 552 0634
Fax: +44 (0)141 552 4053
Mob: +44 (0)7050 219587

Photos, biographies and CD cover art available on request

Full performance dates

Wednesday 12 March 8pm in Maynooth College Chapel
with Maynooth Schola Gregoriana

Thursday 13 March 8pm in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
with the choirs of St Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin and St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral, Dublin
(www.stpatrickscathedral.ie )

Friday 14 March 7.30pm in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh
with participating of choirs from the community

Wednesday 26 March 7.30pm in St Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral, Aberdeen
with The Cathedral Voices

Thursday 27 March 7.30pm in St Mary’s Kinnoull, Perth
with The Scottish Plainsong Choir

Friday 28 March 7.30pm in St John’s Episcopal Church, Dumfries
with The Baliol Consort

Saturday 29 March 7.30pm in Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh
with The Scottish Plainsong Choir

Sunday 30 March 7.30pm in St Andrews-in-the Square, Glasgow
with The Scottish Plainsong Choir