Royal Irish Academy of Music at the National Gallery of Ireland
Published: 5th May, 2023
The RIAM is delighted to collaborate with the National Gallery of Ireland to celebrate Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker with a programme of music from exceptional female composers inspired by the exhibition.
A ground-breaking artist of her time, late sixteenth-century Bolognese artist Fontana is widely considered to be the first female artist to achieve professional success beyond the confines of a court or a convent. Fontana was the first woman to manage her own workshop, and the first woman to paint public altarpieces and female nudes. She maintained an active career, painting for many illustrious patrons, while also taking on the role of wife and mother. Exploring Fontana’s extraordinary life through her paintings and drawings, the exhibition will offer insight into the cultural climate that enabled the artist to flourish as a female artist of the period.
This will be the first monographic exhibition to examine Fontana’s work in over two decades, and the first to focus on her portraits. It will bring together a selection of her most highly regarded works from international public and private collections, alongside the artist’s celebrated The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, from the Gallery’s own collection.
The recent conservation of this Renaissance masterpiece was supported by Bank of America. Fernando Vicario, CEO Bank of America Europe DAC and Country Executive for Ireland at Bank of America said: “The arts are intrinsic to society, playing an essential role in our well-being, and helping communities to attain greater cultural understanding. Lavinia Fontana is widely recognised as one of the most renowned and respected female artists of the Renaissance and Bank of America is delighted to partner with the National Gallery of Ireland once again to support the exhibition of her work ‘Trailblazer, Rule Breaker’. We greatly look forward to this show and the opportunity to understand one of the creative pioneers of the 16th Century.”
RIAM is delighted to produce a programme inspired by the exhibition with students, staff and alumni. From historical instruments and arrangements, to entirely bespoke compositions, this programme presents music from exceptional female composers that will take the audience far beyond the visual.
Pop-up Performances
Taking place in the exhibition space against the spectacular backdrop of portraits by the trailblazing artist Lavinia Fontana, or in the main galleries surrounded by key masterpieces from the national collection, these inclusive, accessible performances are designed to engage visitors of all ages and abilities and provide a truly unique experience.
Wednesday 10 May | 11am
Location: Exhibition Room 9 in front of Lavinia Fontana’s Venus and Cupid and Room 10 in front of The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon.
Free to exhibition ticket holders for timed ticket slot. Book your ticket here.
Lauren McCann (soprano), Megan O’Neill (soprano), Anna-Helena Maclachlan (mezzo-soprano) and David Adams (harpsichord) will perform Barbara Strozzi’s (1619-1677) Le tre Gratie a Venere to the backdrop of Venus and Cupid. Followed by Lauren McCann (soprano), Megan O’Neill (soprano) and Anna-Helena Maclachlan (mezzo-soprano) performing Laoise McMullin’s (b.2000) new work, a composition in direct response to The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon.
Tuesday 16 May | 1.15pm
Room 26 in front of Elisabetta Sirani’s Virgin and Child
Free. Drop-in. No booking required.
Lauren McCann (soprano) and David Adams (harpsichord) performing Francesca Caccini’s (1587-1640) Maria, dolce Maria, followed by Michael Noonan (flute), Kevin Meehan (violin), Peadar Ó Loingsigh (cello) and Laoise McMullin (harpsichord) performing Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre’s Trio Sonate in D.
Thursday 25 May | 7pm
Location: Exhibition Room 9 in front of Lavinia Fontana’s Judith with the Head of Holofernes.
Free to exhibition ticket holders for timed ticket slot. Book your ticket here.
Róisín O’Grady (soprano), Kevin Meehan (violin), Peadar Ó Loingsigh (cello) & David Adams (harpsichord) will perform Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre’s (1665-1729) Judith – Cantata.
Saturday 10 June | 12.15pm
Location: Room 30 in front of Andrea Mantegna’s Judith with the Head of Holofernes.
Free. Drop-in. No booking required.
Róisín O’Grady (soprano) and David Adams (harpsichord) performing Barbara Strozzi’s (1619-1677) Lamento: Lagrime mie.
Evening Concert
In response to Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker the Royal Irish Academy of Music presents a magnificent concert of works by exceptional women composers on Thursday 15 June in our Shaw Room. Curated by Kathleen Tynan and David Adams, the programme features works by Francesca Caccini (1587-1640), Barbara Strozzi (1619-1677) and Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665–1729) and a new work by RIAM composer Laoise McMullin (b.2000).
Performers: Róisín O’Grady, Soprano; Lauren McCann, Soprano; Megan O’Neill, Soprano; Anna-Helena Maclachlan, Mezzo-soprano; Michael Noonan, Flute; Kevin Meehan, Violin; Peadar Ó Loingsigh, Cello; Laoise McMullin, Harpsichord; David Adams, Harpsichord.
Tickets for this very special performance cost €25, with discounts available for students/over 65s and Friends of the Gallery. Tickets are now on sale here.
This collaboration with RIAM is part of a programme of events complementing the exhibition Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker, which is on view 6 May – 27 August 2023.
Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker is proudly supported by Bank of America, Exhibition Partner.
The Gallery would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for their ongoing support.