Blinded by smallpox at the age of eighteen, seventeenth century harpist Turlough O’Carolan is now recognised as one of Ireland’s musical icons and considered by many as the country’s national composer. His music straddles European ‘high art’ baroque styles, combined with folk tunes, and is uniquely preserved due to the popularity of his melodic compositions, and the physical notation of his work at an important harpist’s convention at Belfast in 1792.
Now this spring, Dorset’s Colin Thompson presents a newly dramatised musical show about O’Carolan. Thompson, aged just sixteen, won a music competition at the Royal Festival Hall, and went on to study guitar and violin in London. As a member of the English Guitar Quartet for six years, he developed an interest in early and traditional music, which has since led to projects such as ‘Benjamin’s Book’ with folksinger Tim Laycock and membership of the New Scorpion Band.
Colin is ably supported in this, his latest show, by harpist Florence Astley, who studied at the Royal College of Music, and talented local actor Barry Irwin. This show celebrates O’Carolan’s achievements at the time, and transports him to the present day to reflect on some of the many different interpretations of his music that have since occurred. Join Turlough O’Carolan, and his brilliant two musical interpreters on harp and violin, as he confronts some of the peculiarities of the 21stcentury!
Fri 21 Feb, 7:30pm. Milborne St Andrew Village Hall. 01258 837371
Fri 21 Mar, 7:30pm. Broadwindsor Village Hall. 01308 867644
