German magazine Crescendo have review POSSESSED by eX (translated)

“The album is called Possessed and as we listen we in fact become possessed by the fascinating charismatic singer Caitríona O’Leary with her angelic and ethereal voice. In 2006 this passionate Irishwoman founded the ensemble eX which is devoted to interpreting repertoire from the 11th – 18th centuries. eX uses elements of staging and scenery in order to create a synthesis of the arts for all the senses.

For this album they focus on possession in all of its bizarre delusional forms…a woman accused and hung for witchcraft in 1688 in Boston, the initiation rites of the Afro-Brazilian Candomble and Southern Italian Tarantism in which a furious dance is triggered – according to popular belief – by the bite of the Tarantulla.

Dances, songs and improvisations uniquely performed by O’Leary and her colleagues which evoke the gods and spirits and lull the listener into a trance. Thrillingly different!”

Teresa Pieschacón Raphael

“Aufregend anders!”

crescendo.de website review

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One of Australia’s biggest radio stations ABC Classic FM has chosen Shipwrecked by eX as its CD of the Week

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The Huffington Post have reviewed POSSESSED by eX in its Haiku Reviews section.

Not for the pure of heart. eX’s Possessed is a tour de force of instrumental and vocal brilliance…

See review on The Huffington Post website

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SHIPWRECKED by eX has been reviewed in the September edition of Toccata magazine:

“On the surface this is a collection of Renaissance vocal and instrumental music. However set against the background of a Spaniard who is shipwrecked and forced to experience and contend with the culture and ways of ancient Ireland this becomes an incredibly fascinating story.”

“Caitríona O’Leary’s clear and enchanting soprano playfully leads us through a myriad of the most diverse sounds, modes and moods. The performances exhibit a great deal of commitment from the ensemble and eX finds a way – through the grandeur of the Spanish music and the playfulness of the Irish jigs to carry the listener away. A Great CD!”

Robert Strobl, Toccata – Alte Musik Aktuell
Read the German review

More SHIPWRECKED press quotes

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Heresy announces the release of POSSESSED by the innovative early music ensemble, eX. POSSESSED is eX’s second album for Heresy.

POSSESSED will be released in the UK and internationally on 2^nd September. The North American and world wide digital release was 27^th August.

POSSESSED explores the bizarre and compelling universal phenomenon of possession through the prism of medieval, renaissance, baroque, traditional and popular music. The album features music from eX’s production of the same name that toured Ireland to critical acclaim in 2010 and 2012.

The album focuses on four cultural manifestations of possession.

• Mystic Christian ecstasy as experienced by the visionaries, Hildegard von Bingen, Joan of Arc and Teresa of Avila

• Demonic possession and the trial of Goody Glover who was executed for witchcraft in 1688 the account of which by Cotton Mather directly led to the Salem witch trials four year later

• Candomblé, the ceremonial African/Brazilian animistic religion where adepts are possessed by dieties (orixás) while in a music-induced trance

•  Tarantism, the Southern Italian phenomenon where victims of the bite of a spider fall into a comatose trance that can only be lifted by a musical exorcism to the rhythm of a folk dance called the tarantella

Critical Acclaim for eX’s Production of POSSESSED

“eX’s Possessed is a tour de force – instrumental and vocal brilliance combined to extraordinary effect.” The Works, RTÉ TV

“The music was of the highest international standard with beautiful singing and most infectious instrumental playing…early music of this sort has such a strong immediate appeal and eX is the only Irish-based group to present it – and to such a very high standard.” Tim Thurston, Lyric FM

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eX will perform HIBERIA, a concert Of Spanish & Irish Early Music At Barocco Festival Leonardo Leo in Brindisi, Italy on Saturday, August 24th.

eX’s HIBERIA celebrates the historic ties and cultural fusion between Spain and Ireland through the prism of early music. An enchanted evening of song and rousing instrumental virtuosity that recreates the meeting of these two remarkable artistic traditions.

Performers: Caitríona O’Leary (Voice), Clara Sanabras (Voice, Guitar), Paulina van Laarhoven (Viola da Gamba), Simone Colavecchi (Guitar, Lute) Andrea Piccioni (Frame Drums, Percussion)

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