Maestro Proinnsias Ó Duinn, the conductor of the concert, produced a magnificent
performance from the talented ensemble.
This year's Council visit to Ireland featured a double-bill evening that was spectacular
from start to finish. First, the Council hosted a concert performance of Julius
Benedict's Opera The Lily of Killarney, presented in conjunction with the Royal
Dublin Society (RDS) at its Ballsbridge Concert Hall. Following this, a Gala MidSummer
Council Dinner was held next door at the Four Seasons Hotel.
The opera performance was the second part of a trilogy celebrating the founding
of the RDS 275 years ago.
Council President Michael J. Gibbons, in his welcoming remarks, said "We are pleased
to participate in this wonderful occasion as we celebrate the bonds of friendship
between America and Ireland. Indeed, the opera itself shares many American connections.
In March, 1860 an Irish playwright living in New York, Dion Boucicault, was delighted
with the success of his new play "The Colleen Bawn", which told a harrowing tale
of love gone bad and murder most foul."
Mr. Gibbons noted that "It was first performed in America, shortly after its London
debut, at Miss Laura Keene's Theater in Manhattan. The work enjoyed such immense
popularity that it attracted the attention of composer Julius Benedict who used
the story as the basis for the compelling lyric opera, "The Lily of Killarney".
Dublin-born Boucicault, who is buried in New York and played an important role in
securing legal protections for intellectual property rights in the performing arts
business, wrote the excellent libretto for the opera."
Julius Benedict lived most of his professional career in London. An accomplished
composer, he penned several successful operas - from his first in 1838, "The Gipsy's
Warning". However, only "The Lily of Killarney" has retained a place on the repertory
stage. It was produced at Covent Garden in 1862, not long after the success of "The
Colleen Bawn".
The Council Banner over the stage announcing the celebration of the 275th Anniversary
of the RDS as the evening kicked off with an announcement by the RDS Opera Director,
Gavin O’Sullivan.
Benedict had earlier toured America with Jenny Lind, and shared in her triumphs
in a series of 122 concerts. He was an excellent pianist, and his annual concert
was looked upon for fifty years as one of the great festivals of the London music
season.
Boucicault, for his part, was one of the most beloved playwrights in America in
the latter half of the nineteenth century. His other successful works included The
Octoroon (an anti-slavery abolitionist drama); The Shaugraun (a comedy with pointed
Irish nationalist undertones), which had its world premiere at Wallack's Theatre
in New York in 1874 -the play was a huge success, making half a million dollars
for Boucicault, which he squandered; Arrah-na-Pogue (set during the Irish rebellion
of 1798, the play tells a story of love and loyalty under pressure).
There is much dramatic attractiveness about the music in The Lily of Killarney,
with an abundance of tender melody, refined harmony, effective instrumental scoring
and a delicious vein of plaintive melancholy throughout. The score is quite elaborate
and is interspersed with Irish melodies, which accounts for its distinctive character.
Mr. Gibbons thanked Dr. Austin Mescal and his many colleagues at the RDS, the conductor
for the concert, Proinsias î Duinn, the talented and celebrated performers, singers,
musicians and narrator. A special acknowledgment was made of Our Lady's Choral Society
for its notable participation.
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