Patrick Ball - Theater of Legend - Celtic Harp and Spoken Word

Latest CD Releases

Fair Play

"Patrick Ball casts a haunting spell... resonates with lyricism and charm."
Washington Post

Music on the Wind

Selected Pieces 1983-2003
The Best of Patrick Ball
A 20th Anniversary Celebration

About Patrick

Patrick Ball is one of the premier Celtic harp players in the world and a captivating spoken word artist. He has recorded seven instrumental and three spoken word albums which have sold well over one-half million copies internationally and won national awards in both the music and spoken word categories.

Along with Celtic Harp and Story, his beguiling blend of music and spoken word concerts, Patrick has written and currently performs two acclaimed solo musical theater pieces: O'Carolan's Farewell to Music, which brings to the stage the legendary life, the turbulent times and the glorious music of Ireland's most celebrated and beloved musician, Turlough O'Carolan, and The Fine Beauty of the Island, a musical journey to Ireland's legendary Blasket Islands in search of a deeply haunting tune and the vanished islanders who played it. Patrick also presents an ensemble performance, The Flame of Love, a spoken word and Early Music retelling of the greatest of medieval legends, The Romance of Tristan and Iseult.

Patrick Ball is "a rare artist." For in playing the ancient, legendary brass-strung harp of Ireland with its crystalline, bell-like voice, and in telling marvelous tales of wit and enchantment, he not only brings new life to two cherished traditions, but blends them in concert to create "a richly theatrical and hauntingly beautiful performance."

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Latest News

Patrick will be performing his Holiday show of seasonal stories and music, The Christmas Rose, for the second consecutive season at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center in Rohnert Park, CA on December 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21. Please visit the Tour Dates page for ticket information.

What Presenters Are Saying:

“Patrick Ball is one of my favorite artists. I have enjoyed many wonderful Celtic harpists, Loreena McKennitt among them, as well as gifted storytellers, Garrison Keillor. But I know of no one else who is able to blend both skills so beautifully and seamlessly. Patrick makes me smile and laugh out loud as well as weep, both as a storyteller and as a musician. He has my highest recommendation as an exceptional and unique performing artist. His gift is rare.”
John H. Potter, Executive Director, The Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, WI

“Patrick Ball has been a favorite performer with Sunnyvale Theatre audiences and staff for 17 consecutive seasons, with fans returning year after year and newcomers always thrilled to discover him. We have presented every show in Patrick's repertoire at least once. He consistently earns standing ovations for his captivating stories and delightful harp music. He is friendly and funny with the audience, often staying long past the end of the show, to sign autographs and answer questions about his harp. He is also one of the easiest performers we have worked with, a real professional.”
Tegan McLane, Performing Arts Coordinator, Performing Arts Theater, Sunnyvale, CA

What a rare holiday jewel this is! A delightful combination of seasonal Celtic harping, magical storytelling and personal tales. The audience was transported from holiday exhaustion into a world that was soothing and entertaining and filled with hope. What a gift!
Mary McDougall, Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park, CA

"Patrick Ball weaves enchantments. As a master of the Celtic harp and Irish storytelling, Patrick takes his listeners to places as profound and beautiful as they are deeply human and accessible. Patrick Ball is one of our best artists and someone audiences everywhere need to meet.”
Ron McCabe, Director, McMillan Memorial Library Concert Series, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

"It's rare that we will feature a performer on our fine performances season for two consecutive years, but then Patrick is a rare artist...The audience was entranced by his harp playing, amused by his storytelling. Patrick is a grand man who puts on a great show. A warm and magical performance."
APAP Report / Humboldt State University

"The SRO audience loved Mr. Ball's performance, asking when we will be bringing him back. Ball was a delight to work with, very professional and he is superb at captivating an audience."
APAP Report / Arizona State University

"Thank you again for the wonderful concert and residency at Elon University. I am still getting rave reviews from all those who attended the performance. Truly your music and stories bridged the generation gap; students, faculty and community patrons have uniformly shared enthusiastic comments about the evening. The music was enthralling and the stories delightful. We all appreciate the opportunity we had to become acquainted with you and we look forward to having you return to Elon."
George W. Troxler, Director of Cultural Programs, Elon University, NC

"Once again, 'Thank you, Thank you, Thank you' for the wonderful experiences you brought to the audiences of ASU’s Kerr Cultural Center. The “Coffee at Kerr” you hosted on Friday morning was both informative and entertaining, the two elements we strive for in theses presentations. AND Friday evening’s performance was magical. I received so many wonderful comments from the audience, including 'When is he coming back?' It was a genuine pleasure working with you. I am sincerely looking forward to our next encounter."
A. Nannette Taylor, Kerr Cultural Center, Arizona State University

“It was such a joy and a delight to have you perform at Berkeley Hall School. You were an absolute smash with everyone, from the head of the Board of Trustees, to the teachers, headmaster and best of all, the students...Your music was beautiful, your tales were enchanting, and your command of the audience impressive. I can’t tell you how grateful we were to have you. My colleagues on the Cultural Arts Committee join me in saying “Bravo! Many thanks for a beautiful and enriching afternoon.”
Los Angeles Performing Arts Center School Review

“Highly recommended! As an ethnomusicologist, musicologist and early music performer myself, I took great pleasure in hosting this performance of Tristan and Iseult. The seamless flows and interactions of literary, musical and folkloric materials were all presented as consummately effective theater with music, and the evening drew rave reviews from our audience.”
Linda Burman-Hall, Artistic Director, Santa Cruz Baroque Festival, University of California - Santa Cruz

“This performance is so valuable to the high school students! The curriculum in high school literature courses includes epic poetry as well as stories that were originally performed in the oral tradition. Modern students simply cannot visualize this type of performance no matter how diligently English teachers try to re-create the experience in their classrooms. Your performance of Tristan and Iseult enabled students to understand the power and drama of the oral performance. They understood the importance of vocal inflection to enhance the sounds of the words and the power of music to underscore the rhythm of the words. Thanks for changing people's at Montgomery High.”
Ann Butler, English Literature, Montgomery High School, Santa Rosa, CA

Patrick Ball and The Medieval Beasts performed beautifully. The whole production of "The Flame of Love, The Legend of Tristan & Iseult" was brilliant and performed gorgeously. Patrick is a terrific story-teller and his blending of the medieval instruments and voices led to a refreshing and intriguing evening”
Richard Miller, Los Banos Arts Council, Los Banos, CA

Please visit our Press Kit page to obtain high-resolution photos, bios, posters, technical information, and more.

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