Composed by Mel Mercier and created at the interface of poetry, music and science, Earth SONNET song cycle [sonnet: Italian sonetto "little song"] is an artistic reflection on the natural world in a time of climate crisis. Earth SONNET song cycle lyrics are based on seven new Irish sonnets written by poets Jane Clarke, John FitzGerald, Kayssie K, Aifric Mac Aodha, Paul Muldoon, Gerry Murphy and Simon Ó Faoláin, in English, Irish and Zimbawean Shona.
Earth SONNET songs are performed by sean-nós singers Iarla Ó Lionáird and Caoimhe Ní Fhlatharta, actor Mikel Murfi, and MÓNCKK, an ensemble of leading, cross-genre musicians, with additional voice recordings from actor Conor Lovett and performance poet Kayssie K. MÓNCKK ensemble members - Kelly Boyle/Greg Felton/Dylan Gully/Óscar Mascareñas/Kevin McNally/Mel Mercier/Claudia Schwab - perform on a diverse range of Western and non-Western instruments to create a unique sound and repertoire.
Video design by Jeffrey Weeter is inspired by the beautiful spectrographic images of the Irish subterranean soundscape which are generated by Irish National Seismic Network (INSN). Presented at Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), which is home to the Irish National Seismic Network data processing centre, Earth SONNET offers audiences an intimate, immersive experience and an opportunity to tune into its ‘song of the earth’.
Funded by the Arts Council | An Chomhairle Ealaíon. Supported by Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and Poetry Ireland.
Composed and Directed by Mel Mercier
Performers: Mikel Murfi, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Caoimhe Ní Fhlatharta and the MÓNCKK ensemble
Recorded Vocals: Conor Lovett, Kayssie K, Cara Cullen
Poetry Curation: John FitzGerald
Video Design: Jeffrey Weeter
Producer: Maura O’Keeffe
Image Credit: INSN / Val Mercier