Date: 20 Sep, 2024
Time: 7:30PM
Harpist Tara Viscardi and flautist Robert Harvey launched their album Beara in April 2024, a project which pairs contemporary, original compositions inspired by the Beara Peninsula in the South West of Ireland, with tunes collected and written on the peninsula since the 18th century. It also draws inspiration from the legend of Princess Beara, the Spanish Princess who it is said married Owen Mór, King of Ireland, around 120 AD and who gave the area its name.
The project has been showcased at the Irish Embassy UK, Dublin City Assembly House, London Irish Centre, Tuamgraney Harp Festival, Return to London Town Festival 2023, the 2023 Wales International Harp Festival, Kenmare Buttermarket, Cornstown House and the 2022 World Harp Congress, Cardiff, generously supported by Culture Ireland. The album was recorded on location in Dawros Church, Co. Kerry by producer Laoise O' Brien and engineer Ben Rawlins and is funded by Kerry County Council Arts, Small Investments Ltd., the Wales International Harp Festival and Beara Distillery.
A multiple prize winner, Tara has performed and recorded at venues including the Wigmore Hall, Abbey Road Studios, the National Concert Hall Dublin, Áras an Uachtaráin, St John's Smith Square, the Mansion House and the Irish Embassy in London. Seven times All-Ireland Champion, Robert released his critically acclaimed solo flute album Feochán in 2020. He has toured internationally with Dónal Lunny’s band Cíorras, the Traditional Arts Collective, The Katerina Garcia Band and The National Folk Orchestra of Ireland.