Lament for Art O’Leary
Lament for Art O’Leary takes its inspiration from the poem Chaoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire, composed by Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill in 1773, following the murder of her husband. It has been described as ‘the greatest poem written on these islands in the 18th century.’
That publication in turn inspired composer Irene Buckley to compose her first ever opera, leading ultimately to a recording of the complete work, which took place this summer in Studio One of the RTÉ Radio Centre in Donnybrook, featuring soloists Emma Nash in the role of Eibhlín Dubh Ni Chonaill and Kim Sheehan as Art’s sister, singers from Chamber Choir Ireland, and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gavin Moloney.
Before the broadcast Claire Cunningham looks back at the origins of the poem with Professor Angela Bourke and hears how Vona Groarke approached writing her own version of the poem in English, which was published in 2008 by The Gallery Press.
Credits:
Introductory feature produced by Claire Cunningham
Lament for Art O’Leary (2024) was composed by Irene Buckley with libretto by Vona Groarke.
Performed by The RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Chamber Choir Ireland, soloists Kim Sheehan and Emma Nash conducted by Gavin Maloney.
The recording producer for the opera was Laoise O’Brien, sound supervision was by Gar Duffy and Tommy O’Sullivan. Sound mix by Gar Duffy.
Executive producer: Eoin O Kelly
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 15th December, 6pm-7pm
