Alexis Chartrand | Christina Day Martinson | Michael Leopold | Maeve Gilchrist | Kyle Sanna | Logan Coale
Tonight, we hear music from Ireland, Quebec, Germany and New England with an interweaving thread of Baroque Music and techniques. At a time when Telemann and Bach were composing fugues in continental Europe, the Bardic harping tradition was alive and vibrant in Ireland resulting in a whole repertoire of Irish harp tunes that are now carried via pipes, fiddles and a host of different instruments. We have the stunning sounds of Montreal-based violist Alexis Chartrand, bringing his unique Gut-bow approach to traditional Quebec repertoire. In contrast, the GRAMMY-nominated violinist Christina Day, along with theorbist Michael Leopold, performs one of Heinrich Biber’s Mystery Sonatas. Artistic Director Maeve Gilchrist will also bring in longtime collaborator Kyle Sanna and bassist Logan Coale to premier some new music for harp and electric guitar inspired by a Seamus Heaney translation of a middle English Poem on the mysticism of Hares! Don’t miss this richly imaginative evening of 17th century inspired exploration in a completely contemporary fashion!
Maeve Gilchrist, artistic director
September 11-14, 2025
In partnership with Rockport Music, Edinburgh-born harpist/composer Maeve Gilchrist proudly presents the 6th annual Rockport Celtic Festival which welcomes acclaimed artists from across the Celtic world, weaving together Irish, Scottish, Breton, and Quebecois traditions with fresh collaborations and bold new works.
FESTIVAL MUSICIANS
Maeve Gilchrist, harp | Liz Knowles, fiddle (artist in residence) | Open the Door for Three | Le Vent du Nord | Alexis Chartrand and Nicolas Babineau, viola, fiddle and guitar | Members of the Handel and Haydn Society | David Coffin, vocals | Triton: Tim Cummings, pipes, Jeremiah McLane, and Alex Keller | Diarmuid ó Meachair, accordion and vocals | Kyle Sanna, guitar | Ben Shattuck, narrator | Logan Coale, bass| Mike Block, cello | Jenna Moynihan, fiddle | Abbie MacQuarrie, dance caller
ROCKPORT CELTIC FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
WINDOW NOTICE: Due to the volume level of certain concerts, the curtain may be closed over the window for acoustical purposes. All efforts will be made to keep the view available prior to the concert.
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Thank you to our Rockport Celtic Festival Corporate Partners!
