Historical Performance

Photo: Mark Stedman

We believe that experience of performing music from past centuries is enriched by a deep understanding of the aesthetics and performance practice of the time. 

The RIAM’s vision is to give our students access to specialist teachers and researchers to bring music from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to life.  

Situated in an 18th century building of historic significance in the heart of Dublin’s Georgian quarter, we particularly draw on the inspiration of our location and by the musicians and composers associated with our capital city. Music from this period will be a cornerstone of our scholarly output, as part of the RIAM ‘Rediscover, Recreate’ research theme. 

The RIAM Early Music Department collaborates closely with the Irish Baroque Orchestra and the Irish Youth Baroque Ensemble, and has engaged in many performance projects, including:

• "Performance art": a collaboration with the National Gallery of Ireland with Royal Hibernian Academy artists sketching RIAM musicians playing music from 17th century Holland
• Irish première of Bach's Concerto for 4 Harpsichords
• a series of Schubertiades, using the RIAM's 1812 square piano to bring a historical dimension to the performance of Schubert
• collaboration with RIAM Opera, including Monteverdi's Ballo delle Ingrate and Francesa Caccini's Alcina 

RIAM Early Music Department:

David Adams, Head of Department, Lecturer in Harpsichord/Organ
Claire Duff, Lecturer in Baroque Violin
Aoife Nic Athlaoich, Lecturer in Baroque Cello