HomeEventsUnder (the light) of that same moon at Kylemore Abbey
15th March | 14:30 - 15:30

Under (the light) of that same moon at Kylemore Abbey

Featuring On this Island by Benjamin Britten and songs by Schubert, Strauss, Fauré and Irish songs by Ina Boyle and Criostóir Ó Loingsigh. Under (the light) of the same moon is coming to Galway’s Kylemore Abbey this March 15th.

Irish soprano Helen Hancock’s collaboration with German pianist Paul Cibis began with a performance of their programme Zweisamkeit (Two Togetherness) in Würzburg, Germany in June 2024 as part of Zeitgeist Irland 24, an initiative of Culture Ireland and the Embassy of Ireland, Germany, supported by the Irish-German Society of Würzburg. Known for her emotionally charged and authentic performances, this passion project gave Helen scope to express herself in a programme of songs exploring big life events including love, partnership, marriage, parenthood and tragic loss. This programme was recorded in Berlin and the CD will be released this year.

Meanwhile Helen is delighted to welcome Paul to Ireland to see the landscapes described in the featured song settings of the poetry of Máirtín Ó Direáin and Thomas Moore. 20th century composer Benjamin Britten’s song cycle On this Island will sit alongside a selection of lieder and French song in concerts in The Hardiman Ballroom, Galway City (13/03/2025), Kylemore Abbey, Connemara (15/03/2025) and St Ann’s, Dawson St, Dublin (16/03/2025).

Gabriel Fauré in his centenary year provides the inspiration for the title of the recital in his song Clair de Lune which reminds us that we are all born and living under that same moon. Themes of love, duality (birth and death, light and darkness), unity, the passage of time and faith in the grand plan of the universe are explored in this programme.

On this Island, a book of 31 poems by W.H. Auden was published in 1937 and Britten’s setting of five of these poems opens with a joyful trumpet-like fanfare with pastiche references to the baroque era and the dance music of the 30s. The exploration of life, death and the universe is extended in a selection of lieder by Schubert and Strauss and French song. Poetry inspiring music continues with songs by Gabriel Fauré whose treatment of Verlaine’s poetry mirrors the sentiments on bourgeois society expressed in On this Island. The recital closes with song settings of the poetry of Máirtín Ó Direáin in Irish by Kerry composer Criostóir Ó Loingsigh and his setting of Im Dunkel scheint dein Licht, nach einem altern Irischen Kinderlied from the opening of Momo by German poet Michael Ende.

This project is supported by the Discipline of German and The School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures at University of Galway. The Kylemore concert is supported by Kylemore Abbey and the Kylemore Trust and is in association with the Clifden Arts Festival.

Event Date
15th March 2025 - 15th March 2025
Event Time
14:30 - 15:30
Event Category Venue
Kylemore Abbey
Location
Connemara
Event Address
Kylemore Abbey,
Pollacappul,
Galway
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Ticket Price
€20 / €16
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