Illustrated Talks
Singing to harp accompaniment in medieval- to early modern Ireland
Dr Siobhán Armstrong
60 mins
Level: All
Thursday July 28th
12:00 - 13:00 GMT +1

Event Overview
Singing to the harp has a long history in the Gaelic world but harp song is not yet even recognised as a genre in Irish music, and has largely been neglected: under-researched and under-performed in modern times. This talk outlines the parameters and story of singing to harp accompaniment in medieval Ireland up to the end of the old harping tradition in the early nineteenth century, outlining some of the composers, and some of the repertory, which may already be familiar. I will also point to historical source material available to singers and harpists – or better yet, singer-harpists! – interested in exploring the wealth of evocative harp songs still awaiting rediscovery.