THE FORTUNA CONSORT - Renaissance Ensemble

Friday 7th February 2003
8.00pm (Tickets €10 / €8)
Booking 045 448333
boxoffice@riverbank.ie

As part of the Riverbank Arts Centre’s classical music programme, The Fortuna Consort (a renaissance ensemble) are playing a concert at the Arts Centre on Friday 7th of February next at 8.00 pm. This is a unique opportunity for music lovers to hear the wondrous sounds of centuries past performed on authentic instruments.

The Fortuna Consort was set up in 2002 bringing together musicians from throughout the globe - Laoise O’Brien (originally from Kildare), Kamala Bain, Julien Feltrin, Israel Golani. Having all studied at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, a renowned centre for Early Music, they decided to explore renaissance consort music in the form of recorder trio with lute. The ensemble perform music from the mid 1500’s to the mid 1700’s. Included in their repertoire are works by Issac, Senfl, Josquin and John Dowland. They perform on replicas of instruments made by the Bassanno family, which were used at the court of Henry VIII.

Laoise O’Brien, who is originally from Punchestown, Co Kildare, is a founding member of Phantasticus. This exciting Baroque ensemble has quickly earned the reputation as one of Ireland’s leading Early Music groups. Phantasticus has performed in Dublin, Bantry, Cork, Amsterdam, and at the Killaloe, Kilkenny Arts, and Sligo Baroque Festivals to critical acclaim. Their performances have been recorded and broadcast for the BBC and Ireland’s classical music station, Lyric FM. The name Phantasticus reflects the ensemble’s shared enthusiasm for the flamboyant and virtuosic 17th century ‘Styles Phantasticus’.

A workshop for secondary school students is planned for the morning of the concert . Interested music teachers should call (045) 448314 for further information.

For further information, please contact Catríona, Antoinette, Lisa or Grainne on (045) 448314/5 or by e-mail at artscentre@riverbank.ie