Dear friends and supporters of East Cork Early Music,
We’re delighted to announce that East Cork Early Music Festival is returning this year! Get ready to immerse yourself in a celebration of history and harmony in October 2025, with thanks to support from our friends and venue partners, funders the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Cork County Council and Cork City Council.
The festival opens on Thursday, October 16th at Nano Nagle Place with renowned harpsichordist and festival favourite Malcolm Proud, who, alongside narrator Susan Proud and tenor Stuart Kinsella will explore the early music that inspired James Joyce’s Ulysses.
On Friday, October 17th, mezzo-soprano Emma Power and the Cork Baroque Orchestra take to the stage with a captivating programme, centred on the life & music of 17th-century opera singer and swordswoman Julie d’Aubigny.
We’re delighted to be partnering with the Office of Public Works for a day of magnificent music at Doneraile Court on Saturday, October 18th. In honour of National Harp Day, we present a special Early Irish Harp Discovery Day in association with the Historical Harp Society of Ireland.
The day begins with a talk on the Early Irish harp, led by Dr. Siobhán Armstrong, followed by a Beginner’s workshop led by Eibhlís Ní Ríordáin, and concludes with a performance by Ireland’s finest Renaissance consort, the Earls of Ormond, joined by countertenor Mark Chambers.
The festival concludes on Sunday, 19th October, with a unique & unmissable collaboration fusing Baroque dance with Indian classical Bharatanatyam dance. This performance blends Baroque melodies with ancient Carnatic music, featuring Indian classical & Western baroque dance for a truly global experience.
If you would like to support the festival, we are always grateful for the donations provided by our friends and supporters, and especially thankful to everyone who spreads the word about our concerts to friends, but most of all, we love sharing this music with you and look forward to seeing you there!
Yours ever,
Caitriona, Norah, and the ECEMF team
