Elsafty, Armstrong & Browne featuring Róisín Elsafty – Song Siobhán Armstrong – Early Irish Harp Ronan Browne – Union Pipes, Flute & Whistle
This trio presents the scintillating voice of one of Ireland’s finest Conamara singers, Róisín Elsafty, together with the very rare and meltingly beautiful sound of the medieval Irish harp, played by Ireland’s foremost historical harpist, Siobhán Armstrong, woven with the diverse colours of Ronan Browne’s flutes, whistles and 175-year-old pipes.
From sparkling songs to harp laments and old pipes “pieces”, we are given a glimpse of the unique sound of early Ireland. Róisín performs evocative unaccompanied songs in the florid Conamara style, together with achingly beautiful 17th- and 18th-century Irish harpers’ songs with harp and flute accompaniment.
Playing a facsimile copy of Ireland’s national emblem – and Europe’s oldest surviving harp, the medieval Trinity College harp – in the ancient manner, with fingernails striking brass, silver and 18-carat gold strings, Siobhán plays the compositions of the old Irish harper-composers.
Ronan’s low pitch Union pipes, dating from circa 1850, have that rich tone which makes you want to curl up and snuggle deep into their rumbling purr as he performs old airs, marches and jigs.
The coming together of these three musical minds with their deep fascination, love and respect for that past which created our present, makes for a warm, informative and joyous evening’s entertainment.