- DURATION 60 mins
Event Description
Celtic people celebrated the festival of Beltane on the first of May to mark the halfway point between spring and summer.
Beltane is one of the few pagan festivals that survived the takeover of Christianity in Britain. Many of the old customs celebrating new life and fertility are still practised today, in the form of May Day, and other spring celebrations.
In this talk, we will explore May Day and Beltane festivals throughout Britain. Meet the Padstow Obby Osses, and dance through the streets of Helston. Learn about Green Man festivals, and Edinburgh’s Beltane Fire Festival
Join Claire, a proud Celt and Bard of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids as she celebrates the arrival of spring.
- Duration: 60 mins
- Online Zoom event: Join from your computer, phone or tablet (no replay available)
Meet the Host, Claire
Born and raised in Cornwall, Claire came to Cardiff to undertake a music degree at the University of Wales, Cardiff.
She graduated in 2003, with specialisms in recital, ensemble, performance practice, and 19th Century opera; her dissertation subject was Puccini’s Madama Butterfly.
Claire plays the viola in the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom she has worked with performers including Brian Blessed and Michael Sheen, and also writes programme notes for the orchestra. For several years she was Principal Viola at the Harlech Orchestral Summer School, where she performed many major orchestral solos.
Claire loves all kinds of music. She plays the violin, ukulele, banjolele, and sings in The Withering Raspberries; ukulele and banjolele in The Ukulele Wolves; and sings in Quaynotes Choir. In 2010 she played viola on the UK top 30 album Dirt by Kids In Glass Houses. She also plays the piano, mandolin, and guitar.
Claire believes passionately that music belongs to everyone, and especially enjoys bringing to life the stories of composers and their works.
More Information
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