Rhiannon Giddens begins a duo tour of Ireland with Italian percussionist/accordionist Francesco Turrisi at The Sugar Club in Dublin tonight. The duo discovered a shared creative ground after their paths crossed a few years back, spanning gospel, jazz, blues, country and folk. Their first nationwide tour of Ireland continues with stops in Dún Laoghaire, Wexford, Tinahely, Limerick, Tralee, Clifden, Ennis, Letterkenny, Belfast, and Newbridge. See below for all of the details and tickets, or visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.
"The ties that bind, and the bridges that unite us. These recurring themes form the basis of the musical alchemy that Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi revel in these days," writes the Irish Times's Siobhan Long in a new feature on the artists and their tour. "At the heart of the duo’s music is an intention to break down the othering that leads to walls being built, and tolls (both monetary and emotional) being taken." You can read the article and see what Giddens and Turrisi have to say at irishtimes.com.
The pair recently gave the premiere performance of Giddens's original score for the new ballet Lucy Negro Redux with the Nashville Ballet earlier this month. "I am still pondering the artistic miracle that unfolded before me," exclaimed the New York Times' Margaret Renkl of the premiere. It "was a beautifully choreographed ballet, but it was more than a ballet: It was also a spoken-word incantation and a showcase for the musical genius of Rhiannon Giddens." Giddens and Turrisi will join the Nashville Ballet in Knoxville for additional performances later this month as part of the Big Ears Festival.
Giddens's latest solo album, Freedom Highway, is available on iTunes, Amazon, and the Nonesuch Store, and can be heard on Spotify and Apple Music.
RHIANNON GIDDENS & FRANCESCO TURRISI ON TOUR IN IRELAND