Drogheda Classical Music presents Haydn’s magnificent quartet op. 51 “seven last words” with texts by poet Mark Strand
On Friday 2 April at 3pm, Drogheda Classical Music will present a performance of Haydn‘s Quartet Op. 51 “Seven Last Words”, with texts by Mark Strand, acclaimed Canadian born poet and Pulitzer prize winner, from the beautiful St Peter‘s Church of Ireland, Drogheda.
The work will be performed by the ConTempo Quartet and Aoibhéann McCann, a Best Actress Award winner in The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards 2020. It will be available to watch online.
in a note to Drogheda Classical Music Michael D. Higgins, Úachtarán na hÉireann President of Ireland, said:
“Events such as yours remind us of the importance of appreciating the many ways in which cultural outlets have been maintained and extended throughout Covid restrictions, demonstrates how the Arts have the power to transcend distance.”
“Haydn’s Quartet Op. 51 “Seven Last Words” are meditations on Christ’s last words on the cross, and are among the great pieces of Easter music. They are seven short phrases from the Latin Bible worked conceptually and rhythmically into the texture of Haydn’s exquisite music.
The work was commissioned in 1786 for the Good Friday service at Oratorio de la Santa Cueva (Holy Cave Oratory) in Cádiz, Spain. Originally scored for orchestra, the quartet version was arranged in 1787 and is the form in which the work is most often performed today. Poet Mark Strand was commissioned by the Brentano String Quartet to write a new text inspired by the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas.
Drogheda Classical Music is a boutique series of concerts bringing world-class performers to Ireland for the delight and enjoyment of Irish audiences. Since its first concert in October 2012, it has attracted many top names including Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Angela Hewitt, Alina Ibragimova, Cédric Tiberghien, Johannes Moser, Tara Erraught and Finghin Collins. It is the only series of its kind across the entire North East and offers an intimate concert experience for the audience and performers alike.
Tickets for the concert are €10 and will be on sale from 15 March 2021 from www.droghedaclassicalmusic.com and www.droichead.com
The Series is funded by the Arts Council and Louth County Council and run in partnership with Droichead Arts Centre with sponsorship from the d Hotel and RTÉ Supporting the Arts.
