Billy Irish

The fact that, in all Britten wrote seven volumes of Folk songs attests to his fondness for popular music. Passionate about musical theatre, Jérôme Billy skillfully portrays the different characters in the rich musical setting provided by Alain Rizoul's delicate and virtuoso accompaniment. Concert artist and teacher Alain Rizoul has always strived to make his instrument known to audiences beyond the usual aficionados of the guitar. His musical philosophy, with its inherent humanism, and his desire to broaden the guitar repertoire have quite naturally led to commissions and first performances of contemporary works. A graduate of the Paris Conservatoire, Jérôme Billy is passionate about the connections between theater and music. He enjoys performing Mozart operas such as Die Zauberflote, Cosi fan tutte, and Don Giovanni. His theatrical encounters have reinforced his feeling that music and theater are not at all detached, but rather spring from the same source.

The House Devils, comprised of five incredible musicians, get their name from an expression used by one of the band members' aunties: "You're an angel in the street and a devil in the house!" here the band present foot-stomping Irish songs and instrumental sets played with guitar, fiddle, cittern, flute, harmonica, whistle, mandolin, uilleann pipes, double bass and bodhran.