The Lough inspires John’s folk opera
Experience The Lough like never before thanks to Cork musician John Spillane.
John Spillane announced this week that he will share what he described as “his most artistically ambitious work to date” called ‘Fíoruisce - The Legend of the Lough’, on Friday 13 September. The concept album, to be released on double CD and digital, features John alongside a cast of collaborators: Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell, Nell Ní Chróinín, and more.
Audiences are invited to experience the world of Fíoruisce at the launch of the site-responsive art exhibition created by artist Megan Clancy at The Lough at 4pm Sunday 15 September, followed by a listening party at MTU Cork School of Music. Admission is free however booking is essential via Eventbrite.
‘Fíoruisce - The Legend of the Lough’ is a three-act Gaelic folk opera composed by Irish artist 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.
The album was recorded at Wavefield Recordings in Clonakilty and features the voices of some of the most talented folk and sean nós singers including Ríoghnach Connolly, Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, Niamh Farrell and Nell Ní Chróinín.
Described by Spillane as his "magnum opus," this project draws on his lifelong dedication to storytelling, the Irish language, and music.
He said: “I’m so thrilled to present this album in honour of the Lough of Cork. The Lough is a hidden gem and a natural place of healing. Fíoruisce means springwater. This Gaelic folk opera has been a labour of love over many years.”
“This story is based on the Victorian Cork fairytale ‘Fior-usga’ by Thomas Cofton Croker which can be seen on a placard at the Lough. Crofton Croker’s version was first published in ‘Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland’ 1825-28. It was translated to German by the Brothers Grimm as ‘Springwasser’. My epic saga is a re-Gaelicized folk-opera version of that story. I’m thrilled with the singers on this record. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed performing it.”