Luminosa Music, Galway’s own professional string orchestra, will perform a very special live streamed concert from Galway Cathedral tomorrow evening from 7.30pm.
A spokesperson for Luminosa Music said; "While we navigate our way through living with a pandemic, we very much want to continue making wonderful music and bringing it to our audiences.
"Luminosa Music had to cancel the whole year's programme for 2020, as most music organisations also did. This left all [many] of us with little or no work, and considerable uncertainty. We understand that our audiences are experiencing these times as very challenging too and so we really wanted to bring something very special to them. A very special concert of glorious baroque music to console and lift the spirit.
"This significant performance of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, usually heard on Good Friday and illustrating the sorrow and pain of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is dedicated to everyone mourning a loss, whether that be of a loved one, their work, life as we knew it or anything else which living through this pandemic has left us with.
"Vivaldi's Nulla in Mundo (There is no true peace in this world without bitterness ) is considered one of the most beautiful solo motets. The text considers the imperfections of the world and praises Jesus for the salvation he offers from it.
"These sacred works also transcend the liturgical purposes for which they were written and appeal to a human nature which is intrinsically vulnerable but available to healing and therefore naturally resilient."
With special guests Aisling Kenny (soprano ), Mark Chambers (counter tenor ), and Ray O’Donnell (organ ), the programme - Voces Luminis (voices of light ) aims to reflect on the suffering many have experienced and give whatever relief the group can through the medium of sublime baroque music. The programme moves through reflective and sorrowful colours to find the light and lift the spirits with a celebratory and thankful tone of Corelli's Concerto Grosso No. Op.6 No. 4.
The beauty within this music is at once divine and mortal and the ability to celebrate and be thankful is so important during these difficult times.
"We hope our audiences love this programme and we would like to thank them for their valued support."
Tickets are priced €10 from Eventbrite. On purchasing a ticket, customers will receive a secret link to the YouTube Live broadcast.
For more information visit www.luminosa.ie or email [email protected].
The event is produced with funding from the Arts Council and the Galway City Council.