Spirit of Gambo in Bantry

West Cork Music’s autumn concert series continues on Sunday October 22nd at 3pm with Spirit of Gambo in St Brendan’s Church, Bantry.

In 2021 Dutch viol ensemble Spirit of Gambo gave the first concert promoted by West Cork Music after the Covid lockdown. Exactly two years later they return to Bantry with the first concert in their three-venue Irish tour.

Exuberant playing fun, drive and musical craftsmanship are the strength of this viola da gamba ensemble. They play on viola's da gamba built especially for them. The painted instruments and the sculpted animal heads are a feast for the eyes and ears. The musicians received the French classical music award Diapason d'Or for two of their recordings.

This concert programme celebrates the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd, and the legacy of Archbishop Narcissus Marsh’s unique manuscript collection of music for the viola da gamba still held in Marsh’s Library, Dublin.
The remarkable flowering of English music for consorts of up to six viols began with the English high renaissance of the Tudors and continued through the Stuart Restoration of the seventeenth century. King Charles 1st was an avid performer and the programme also includes music by his teacher William Lawes and by other great exponents of the form including Henry Purcell, John Jenkins, Matthew Locke and Orlando Gibbons.

Tickets can be booked online at www.westcorkmusic.ie/gambo, from the West Cork Music office on 027 52788 or at the door on the day.