APPALACHIAN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
History, Nature, Culture
A Mother's Voice
This original production by Musici Ireland first premiered in January 2023. We are proud to present "A Mother's Voice" for a US Premiere performance in partnership with the Contemporary American Theater Festival. Tickets are available now for performances in Shepherdstown, WV this summer.
Dates
Saturday, July 20 at 1:30 PM (SOLD OUT)
Sunday, July 21 at 5:30 PM (SOLD OUT)
Tuesday, July 23 at 8 PM (SOLD OUT)
Performance Location
Christ Reformed Church
304 E German Street
Shepherdstown, WV
Tickets available through www.CATF.org along with all other information about their upcoming 2024 season in July!
A Mother's Voice is presented with support from Culture Ireland, Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation, West Virginia Humanities Council, and with funding from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts
This project was made possible with support from the Triskel WRITE, RECORD, PERFORM residency, the Arts Council of Ireland
“A Mother’s Voice does a beautiful job of centering survivors and transforms powerful testimony into performance with thoughtfulness and care. This is important work, blending activism and artistry, and I hope many other audiences have the opportunity to experience it.”
— Shea Donovan, Indigo Arts Collective
Original Concept/Creative Director: Beth McNinch
Assistant Creative Director: Jane Hackett
Mothers Voices: "Cait", Deirdre Wadding and Sheila O Byrne
Musicians: Ioana Petcu-Colan, Jane Hackett, Beth McNinch Katie Tertell
Original score and Soundscape: Irene and Linda Buckley
Animation: Eabha Bortollozo and Jack Kirwan
Installation: Bridget Ni Dhuinn
Lighting Design: Eoin McNinch
Sound technician: Colm Hinchion
"A Mother's Voice": A Tribute to the Survivors of Ireland's Mother and Baby Homes
Musici Ireland's latest production, "A Mother's Voice", is a heartfelt tribute to the women affected by Ireland's mother and baby homes during the 1900s. Developed with funds from the Arts Council of Ireland and Triskel WRITE, RECORD, PERFORM bursary, this multidisciplinary production blends artistry and activism in a powerful exploration of a dark chapter in Ireland's history.
"A Mother's Voice" is more than just a performance. It stands as a testimony to the resilience of survivors, a critical exploration of a hidden aspect of Ireland's history, and an invitation to engage in an important dialogue. The production is a collaborative effort between artists and living survivors, with a shared mission to shed light on this period of Ireland's past.
Central to the performance are the voices of three mothers, "Cait", Deirdre Wadding, and Sheila O'Byrne. Their stories form the core narrative, giving authenticity and emotional depth to the production.
"A Mother’s Voice" has been widely praised for its thoughtful and sensitive handling of such a difficult subject matter. Shea Donovan from the Indigo Arts Collective applauds the production's focus on survivors, stating, "A Mother’s Voice does a beautiful job of centering survivors and transforms powerful testimony into performance with thoughtfulness and care."
Catherine Kontz, composer and Artistic Director of Rainy Days Festival, Luxembourg, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the international interest the work has garnered due to its relevance and the sensitivity with which the subject matter has been treated.
More information is available on the Musici Ireland website. »