A rare opportunity to hear the ravishing sound of a viol consort playing English chamber music from the Elizabethan and Restoration age in an historically appropriate venue - Rothe House.

Dutch/Belgian consort Spirit of Gambo are joined by Irish organist Malcolm Proud to give Irish audiences a rare glimpse into the English repertoire for viola da gamba consort.

Performing on instruments by renowned Dutch luthier Gesina Liedmeier, their programme celebrates the 400th anniversary of William Byrd, and also includes works from the personal collection of Archbishop March (held in Marsh's Library), who was an enthusiastic amateur player.

The viola da gamba ('viol' for short) was central to music making in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries but it was eclipsed in the eighteenth century by the more versatile violin family. This means that the extensive repertoire for this instrumental combination (treble, tenor and bass viols) is seldom heard in public performance.

Catch this rare opportunity to hear the exceptionally beautiful repertoire for viol consort by attending Spirit of Gambo's Dublin performance in Rothe House, Kilkenny on Sunday 29th October at 4 pm.

Or hear them in St Brendan's Church Bantry on 22nd October (without Malcolm Proud) or in the Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle on Friday 27th October at 7.30 pm

October ViolFest at the Royal Irish Academy of Music

Today, interest in playing the viol has burgeoned around Europe, with dozens of Irish people playing treble, tenor and/or bass instruments–often taking it up later in life for the pleasure of playing this chamber repertoire, having learned to play the guitar or another string instrument in childhood. Besides performing in West Cork, Dublin and Kilkenny, Spirit of Gambo will participate in an October Viol Fest for local professional and amateur enthusiasts of the instrument. Hosted 26th–28th October by the Royal Irish Academy of Music,this ViolFest will include lessons for individuals, workshops for amateur consorts, and lectures about the lyra viol and the group’s instruments which are all made by Gesina Liedmeier who –besides playing tenor and bass viol in the group - is one of Europe’s foremost luthiers.