Irish fiddle player Gerry O’Connor travelled to Orvieto, Italy, for the Orvieto Irish Fleadh, joining musicians, dancers, tutors and traditional music enthusiasts for three days and four nights of Irish music and culture.
The festival brought Irish traditional music into the historic centre of Orvieto through concerts, workshops, sessions, dancing, cultural talks and performances across several venues.
Orvieto Irish Fleadh
Traditional Irish music festival in Orvieto, Italy. See the festival programme, tutors and performers on the official website.
Visit orvietoirishfleadh.it
Irish Traditional Music in Orvieto
Gerry performed alongside Laurence Nugent, Paul Meehan and Richard Lyons, while the wider festival programme featured musicians and performers including Athena Tergis, Christy Leahy, Enda Seery, Fionnuala Maxwell, Caoimhe Ní Mhaolagáin, Massimo Greco, Caterina Sangineto, Davide Bonacina, James Patrick Gavin, Adrian Lever, Willos’, Ar An Talamh, Inis Fail, Gala Ceoil and IRIS Accademia Danze Irlandesi.
Concerts and organised performances were joined by traditional sessions throughout Orvieto, giving visiting musicians and local audiences an opportunity to play, listen and experience Irish music together.
The Rose in the Gap
Gerry also presented The Rose in the Gap at Teatro del Carmine. The presentation explored the dance music of the Oriel region from the Donnellan Collection, combining the history and style of the music with live performance.
The music preserved through this collection remains an important part of Gerry’s work as a performer and teacher, connecting older Irish fiddle traditions with musicians learning and playing the music today.
Watch Highlights from Orvieto Irish Fleadh
The video above captures only a small part of the musicians, audiences, sessions and performances that filled Orvieto during the festival.
Thank You to Orvieto Irish Fleadh
A special thank you goes to Francesca Romana Fabris and the entire team behind Orvieto Irish Fleadh, including Massimo Greco, Vincenzo Appolloni, Antonio Sessa, Jacopo Somma, Jacopo Rogo, Chiara Cavalli, Francesco Colosimo, Anna Natale and Marie-Lise Bideau.
Thanks also to the Comune di Orvieto, Opera del Duomo di Orvieto, Scuola di Musica Adriano Casasole, Culture Ireland, the organisations supporting the festival, its sponsors, venues, volunteers and everyone working behind the scenes.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who attended, played, danced, listened and welcomed Irish traditional music to Orvieto.
“It was wonderful to see Irish music and culture received with such enthusiasm in Italy and to spend several days playing, talking and sharing music with so many people. Thank you to everyone in Orvieto who made us feel so welcome.”
Learn more about the festival and the musicians involved on the official Orvieto Irish Fleadh website.
