A Continent Undivided

Project Partner: Motion Trio

Curators: Bryn Ormrod, Philip King

Sounds of the Balkans
Date: 11 March 2005
Venue: Cork Opera House

Taraf de Haïdouks & Koçani Orkestar
Date: 12 March 2005
Venue: Cork Opera House

Besh O Drom
Date: 12 March 2005
Venue: Half Moon Theatre

Enzo Avitabile/Bottari & Motion Trio

Date: 19 March 2005
Venue: Everyman Palace Theatre

Radio Tarifa
Date: 20 March 2005
Venue: Everyman Palace Theatre

Mariza
Date: 30 March 2005
Venue: Savoy Theatre

“Mariza wove a spell as she ... brought us from the valley of despair to the peaks of joy.”
Irish Examiner

“Radio Tarifa are the perfect aural advertisement for how the cross-fertilisation of different cultures can produce a wonderful harmony.”
Irish Examiner

Project Description:
‘A Continent Undivided’ celebrated the diverse musics and cultures of Europe, from former Eastern bloc countries in the East to Portugal's Atlantic coast in the West. From Poland in the North to the Spain’s Mediterranean shore in The South.

The series launched with the Irish Premier of an ambitious project that brought together the music and cultures of the Balkans. Featuring Angelite, a heavenly female Bulgarian choir, a gypsy brass band from Serbia called Bojan Ristic Orkestar, the Greek diva Savina Yannatou and Turkish multi-instrumentalist Burcan Ocal, ‘Sounds of The Balkans’ revealed the enduring riches and ancient links between cultures in a region so recently ravaged by war.

Two of the finest gypsy bands in the world took to the stage of the Opera House on second night of the series. The explosive brass band Koçani Orkestar blasted in from Macedonia followed by legendary Taraf De Haïdouks, whose heady mix of swirling fiddle, rippling cimbalom and punchy accordion set audiences. Those left standing headed for the musical mayhem of the ultimate 21st Century urban wedding band, Besh O Drom, and their futuristic fusion of ancient gypsy traditions and electronic beats in a late night concert at the Half Moon Theatre.

Weekend 2, and Enzo Avitabile, one of Italy’s most intriguing musical pioneers, took to the stage of The Everyman Palace Theatre with a group of Bottari (barrel beaters) from Portico in Southern Italy. The intoxicating mix of hypnotic rhythms, and stirring traditional Italian music went down a storm. They shared the stage with Motion Trio, three experimental accordion virtuosos from Poland.

Mariza performing at the Savoy. Credit Michael MacSweeney, Provision

The following night Spanish sensation Radio Tarifa, a band which embodies the ancient links between North Africa and Southern Europe with a highly distinctive blend of flamenco, medieval traditions and Arabic sounds, played to full house.

The multi-award-winning Mariza, the undisputed Queen Of Fado, brought ‘A Continent Undivided’ to a sizzling finale and seduced audiences with her awesome singing, charismatic stage presence and powerful blend of traditional and contemporary song forms.

Heineken