John Spillane shares opening track, and video, from upcoming folk opera album ‘Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough’
In our review of John Spillane’s 2021 album “100 Snow White Horses”, his music and words were described as “a rich, molten cauldron of emotional blissed-out balladry blessed with poetic intimacy and a collection of story-songs that begs immediate listening. A masterclass of eloquent romanticism delivered by a poet of song.” That the Irish songwriter and storyteller is now turning his bardic skills to the creation of a 2-hour Gaelic Folk Opera should be enough to excite anyone with an interest in Irish music and storytelling. The icing on the cake comes with his choice of collaborators for this hugely ambitious concept album: Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell, Nell Ní Chróinín, and more.
Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough will be released on Friday, 13th September 2024, but today you can hear the first track, ‘Réamhcheol/Overture’, featuring Niamh Farrell and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin on vocals. Accompanying the release is a striking video directed and edited by Aldoc Productions, starring Nigel Grufferty.
John shared:
“It’s hugely exciting to soon be releasing my Gaelic Folk Opera “Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough” and this opening track of the work is the perfect way to do it. Featuring the stunning vocals of Niamh Farrell and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, this song sets the scene for the great drama to come later in the fairytale. We had a great day shooting the video at the Lough itself. I love working with Al, he puts so much care into his craft and the results are always beautiful. There was a nice community feeling on the day, not only did we get the naomhóg from Pádraig Ó Duinnín and the fabulous costumes from Geata Arts, we were also joined by the regulars of the Lough who cheered us on from behind the scenes.”
About the album
Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough is a three-act Gaelic folk opera composed by John Spillane. It is a macaronic or bilingual work. The work is an imagined re-Gaelicisation of the Victorian Cork fairytale Fior-usga collected by Thomas Crofton Croker in the 1800s and published in his book Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland (1828). The story is a surreal tale culminating in a drowned kingdom, which, as lore tells us, becomes The Lough in Cork city as we know it today. They say you can see the tops of the underworld towers on a clear day and hear the music of their big party on Midsummer’s night.
Described by Spillane as his “magnum opus,” this project draws on his lifelong dedication to storytelling, the Irish language, and music. The text is inspired by the wonderful richness of the literary and oral Gaelic storytelling tradition. The influences of an t-Athair Peadar Ó Laoghaire and the stories concerning the Fiannaíocht are evident in this work. Other inspirations include Seán Ó Tuama’s work through Compántas Chorcaí, an Irish theatre production company, his inspiring lectures on poetry at UCC and his An Duanaire 1600 – 1900 Poems of the Dispossessed. Other inspirations include the poem Sprid an Locha by Torna, a deep love of The Lough, and a fascination with the older Gaelic story that shines tantalisingly under the original Victorian Thomas Croker fairytale.
Using these elements, Spillane crafts an Irish-speaking ancient world. The album weaves common threads of Irish mythology, depicting scenes of war, curses, lullabies, lamentations, shapeshifting tricksters, scenes of love, a great fleadh, and eventually the climax – the drowning of the kingdom.
Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough, a folk opera by John Spillane, will be available on CD and digital, Friday, 13th September 2024. Pre-order: fioruisce.ie
John Spillane launches Fíoruisce – The Legend of the Lough by unveiling a site-responsive art exhibition by artist Megan Clancy at The Lough in Cork City, 4pm Sunday 15th September, followed by a listening party at MTU Cork School of Music. Admission is free; however, booking is essential. Book via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/john-spillane-fioruisce-launch-tickets-936471540587?aff=oddtdtcreator
John Spillane also has two events coming up in London:
On Friday, 11th October, he will perform live at the London Irish Centre, and on Saturday, 12th October, he will host a songwriting workshop at the London Irish Centre.
Tickets/more info available at: https://johnspillane.ie/#tour