LIST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE

A Great Disordered Heart: Shared Songs

Some of the world’s most powerful Gaelic voices come together for Shared Songs – the second concert in the Aidan O’Rourke-curated series A Great Disordered Heart.

A Great Disordered Heart: Shared Songs

About A Great Disordered Heart: Shared Songs

This is an immersive evening of song showcasing the profound beauty and truth-telling grit of Gaelic voices from either side of the Irish Sea. Shared Songs brings together a group of leading singers, each with their own revered expertise in traditional song.

Irish singer Liam Ó Maonlaí is a sensational performer whose fierce charisma makes his traditional repertoire all the more compelling. In 1985, he formed Hothouse Flowers and their album People is the most successful debut album in Irish history to date. Since then, he’s engaged with his native song culture with fresh and vibrant energy.

Scottish singer and piper Allan Macdonald is a true tradition bearer from Glenuig in the West Highlands. His research into the deep connections between early pibroch and Gaelic song have revolutionised how both repertoires are interpreted today. While vocal trio Sian (Ceitlin Lilidh, Eilidh Cormack and Ellen MacDonald) originally came together to investigate Gaelic songs composed by women and has gone on to create a distinctly rugged and soulful sound with rich harmonies and striking melodic power.

Róisín Chambers is a singer and fiddle player whose influences draw on the Connemara lineage of sean nós singing. Chambers prides herself as a Dublin exponent of the great sean nós tradition and with a voice of unflinching splendour, lends a forensic realism to her interpretation of the old songs.

Bringing these Gaelic voices together for the International Festival is Sam Amidon – an artist of exuberant magnetism, with deep respect for the heritage of traditional song and a playful, radical flair. Growing up in a Vermont family of a-cappella singers, he’s a lifetime devotee of Irish fiddle music and a fanatic for classic banjo, blues and jazz vernaculars. His own voice is a free-wheeling wonder.

The songs shared in this A Great Disordered Heart concert connect with a deep history of community singing. The passing-on of stories highlights the ineffable communication that happens when voices come together.

Presented in association with the National Concert Hall of Ireland and The Soundhouse Organisation


Venue: Old College Quad - University of Edinburgh, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

Our Old College Quad outdoor venue is home to our afternoon chamber music series, a session of traditional Scottish music, five nights of inspirational spoken word and unmissable late night cabaret.

Our outdoor venues are covered, but you should come dressed appropriately for the weather, including suitable footwear for walking across grass.




Sponsored Links

Other Events at University of Edinburgh or Edinburgh International Festival

Time Traveller: Charles Lyell at Work

27th October 2023 - 30th March 2024
Edinburgh South

This exhibition in Edinburgh University's Main Library provides a unique insight into geologist and science writer Charles Lyell's developing ideas about the uniformity of nature.

READ MORE

Edinburgh International Festival

2nd August 2024 - 25th August 2024
Various Locations Edinburgh

The Edinburgh International Festival returns from 2nd to 25th August 2024 with live performance throughout the city.

READ MORE

The Fifth Step

21st August 2024 - 25th August 2024

The Fifth Step, David Ireland's latest collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland tells a complex story about men, intimacy and our belief systems.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Similar events you might like...

The White Heather Ceilidh Club

The White Heather Ceilidh Club

Selected dates between 25th May 2023 - 25th April 2024

Join The White Heather Ceilidh Club for a bonnie (and wild!) evening of Scottish Ceilidh Dancing in the heart of Edinburgh!

READ MORE
Cowgate’s Best Karaoke Night!

Cowgate’s Best Karaoke Night!

Selected dates between 11th January 2024 - 28th March 2024

Join us from 9pm-late every Thursday at Bar 50 for Cowgate's best karaoke night and try your luck for the chance to win a £5 bar voucher!

READ MORE
Castle Chorus weekly rehearsal

Castle Chorus weekly rehearsal

Selected dates between 18th January 2024 - 25th April 2024
Edinburgh South

Castle Chorus is a small, friendly choir open to anybody who loves singing. If you’re interested in coming along, singing some songs and meeting new people, feel free to just turn up on a Thursday!

READ MORE
Flamenco Noche

Flamenco Noche

Selected dates between 20th January 2024 - 27th April 2024

Join the Alba Flamenca Penya for a show full of fiery intensity and joyful celebration in our beautiful and intimate ‘tablao’!

READ MORE
Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret

Dr. Bonk’s Macarbaret

Selected dates between 20th January 2024 - 21st December 2024

Scotland's silliest surgeon, Dr. Bonk, is back with his hit SELL-OUT SHOW 'Dr Bonk's Macarbaret', an evening of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!

READ MORE
Scots Music Group Ceilidhs

Scots Music Group Ceilidhs

Selected dates between 27th January 2024 - 29th June 2024

All welcome to the Scots Music Group fabulous monthly fundraising ceilidhs at the St Brides Centre! Come on your own, with friends or in a group.

READ MORE
Open Mic Night

Open Mic Night

Selected dates between 31st January 2024 - 31st July 2024

Join host Michael Dodds every Wednesday at The Three Sisters for an evening of music, singing, poetry, comedy and much more!

READ MORE
Wee Live Music Fun: violin, guitar, ukulele for 0 - 2yrs

Wee Live Music Fun: violin, guitar, ukulele for 0 - 2yrs

Selected dates between 13th February 2024 - 1st May 2024

In these sessions, Fionnbarr, Little Plaza's resident musician will play and sing for the kids and parents, with elements like singing and clapping along for those who want to.

READ MORE
Ceilidh in Charteris Centre

Ceilidh in Charteris Centre

Selected dates between 24th February 2024 - 20th July 2024

Edinburgh Ceilidhs invites you to a ceilidh in the Charteris Centre with caller Ken Gourlay, ceilidh band and piper.

READ MORE

Find other events in Edinburgh

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Hamilton
The multi award-winning cultural phenomenon 'Hamilton' is touring the UK for the very first time and is coming to the Festival Theatre for a 9 week season from 28th February 2024!
Taylor’s Of Edinburgh Present: Dalkeith Mega Value Carnival
Taylor's Of Edinburgh return to Kings Park, Dalkeith with their Mega Value Fun Fair from Friday 22nd March to Monday 1st April!
Lush Edinburgh Easter Party
Come visit Lush Edinburgh this Easter for a fun filled Easter Party. Activities include Bath Bomb Making, Easter Egg Hunt, Party Games & More!
Meet Zoé Brocaille - Author of ‘Journal d’une fausse Parisienne in London’
Zoé Brocaille offers readers a sharper focus and helps them identify what is important, what to fight for and when to let go. Come along and meet her at the Institut français d’Écosse on 18th Apr
A Play, A Pie and A Pint
A popular feature of the Traverse programme, A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Òran Mór returns for 2024.

Popular Listings

Corn Exchange Haddington Edinburgh Playhouse Festival Theatre Edinburgh Howden Park Centre Livingston Kings Theatre Edinburgh National Museum of Scotland O2 Academy Edinburgh The Brunton Theatre, Musselburgh Traverse Theatre Usher Hall