Pat O’Reilly’s upcoming talk on the 6th December, John McCormack Sings Songs of Poets and Composers, offers a captivating journey through the life and legacy of Ireland’s most celebrated tenor. Blending rich historical detail with engaging anecdote, Pat will explore McCormack’s remarkable recordings, extensive travels, celebrated concert career, and the critical acclaim that followed him around the world.
The talk will be beautifully illustrated with music drawn from a wide range of composers associated with McCormack’s repertoire, including Donizetti, Mozart, Elgar, Mascagni, Bizet, Schubert, Victor Herbert, and even the timeless words of Shakespeare. Together, story and song will be a celebration of both the man and the music that made John McCormack a legend.
The talk will take place in Buswells Hotel and will commence at the usual time of 11am. All are welcome to attend, with a charge of €5 to cover the venue and the tea/coffee that will be made available.
We’re delighted to welcome back Gordon Ledbetter for our November talk. Gordon outlines below what attendees can expect.
Humour in the history of sound recording, looks at humour in its widest sense and how it has reflected society’s tastes and mores. It is not true to say Caruso in the early 1900s made the gramophone. He certainly spread its popularity and following his phenomenal success with recording, so-called ‘serious singers’ who had disdained the invention as a scientific novelty followed him into the recording studios. But for a decade, in the 1890s, what held sway were the likes of so-called Coon Songs, sung by both blacks and whites – white Americans were not slow in capitalising on black music – that sold in large numbers on phonograph cylinders. The talk features a clip from the very first Minstrel Show to be captured on celluloid with excellent sound synchronisation. In a white cast, two ‘burnt cork’ characters with black wigs act the eejit as expected of white audiences of the day. Sound recordings as well as anything else point up societal prejudices and inconsistency. George Formby with window cleaning patter and double entendre was banned from the BBC (until it was pointed out that the Royal Family were staunch fans). That did not prevent the Black & White Minstrel Show becoming for a decade one of the most popular BBC productions ever.
Who among the great historical composers has left us witty, humorous music? Nearly all of them did. I have room for only a few: Mozart (the most impish of all – ask his wife); Offenbach: the dauntingly difficult Doll Song sung by the delightful Patricia Janeckowa; Donizetti of course, who could resist Doctore Dulcamara arriving in town with his quack medicine. Ambrosio Maaestri looks and sings the part to perfection.
And I have an excerpt from the very first comic opera I ever saw as a child with a clip of the very same bass. It was an enchanting, never to be forgotten experience. The opera, would you believe, was banned twice tho’ not in Dublin. Can you guess which opera it was and where banned?
Perhaps the singer who best personifies good humour was Gracie Fields, who I saw at her very last appearance in England. Her friend Luisa Tetrazzini wanted her to enter the world of opera and her warbling in this song fully justifies Tets view of her talents; but Variety was where Gracie’s temperament lay. Here she is singing in 1932 ‘I’m looking on the bright side.’ Heavens, do we need such heart warming sentiments today….
Our November talk takes place in Buswells Hotel on the 8th November at 11am. We look forward to welcoming members of the Society. Non-members are also welcome to join us.
What a wonderful night was had at the Royal Irish Academy of Music where our bursary recipients delivered memorable performances of pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Handel, our own Michael William Balfe, and many others.
We were delighted that members of the McCormack family were able to join us and take part in the concert, with David McCormack being our MC on the night, and his aunt, Tish Tinney presenting the prizes. As always, Niall Kinsella, the much in demand accompanist and conductor, played a blinder.
Below is a selection of photographs from the night.
Tish Tinney with Cliodhna Regan
l-r: Cliodhna Regan, Sinéad Cosgrove, David Conroy, Nicholas O’Neill, Tish Tinney
Tish Tinney presenting bursary to Cliodhna Regan with Sinéad Cosgrove looking on
Pianist and conductor Niall Kinsella has established himself as one of Ireland’s most exciting, versatile and sought-after musicians. He has been described as “a meticulous collaborator” (BBC Music Magazine) and “a first-class calling card as a knowledgeable and profound song accompanist” (Merker, Austria). He has performed as a song-accompanist extensively across Europe, in Austria, France, Spain, Hungary, Czech-Republic, Italy and United Kingdom, in venues such as Wiener Musikverein, Wiener Konzerthaus, Mozarthaus Wien, The Liszt Academy, Budapest, St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, and National Concert Hall, Dublin.
As a conductor, he was appointed as RTÉ Conductor-in-Training 2014-15 and has conducted several major choral works including Handel Messiah, Mozart C Minor Mass, Haydn Stabat Mater, Duruflé Reqiuem, Orff Carmina Burana. Niall made his debut conducting the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in September 2023 in a sold-out concert of Rodgers & Hammerstein, which was also broadcast on RTÉ lyric fm.
Niall’s debut CD John F. Larchet: Complete Songs & Airs was released internationally on Champs Hill Records (UK) in 2020 and was described as “a long overdue recording given John F. Larchet’s remarkable contribution to musical life in Ireland” (John Bowman, RTÉ Radio One) and that “it is hard to imagine [Larchet’s] complete vocal output being given a better representation than it receives here” (Journal of Music). His second CD, Schubert’s Women, for Austrian label Gramola Klassik was released in 2021, with critics praising the “polished music-making of fine repertoire” (BBC Music Magazine) and remarking that “Kinsella’s perspective is so fresh and fruitful” (The Whole Note, Canada). Niall is Artistic Director of Irish Songmakers, and has also curated a recital series at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.
Niall studied at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin, furthering his postgraduate studies in lieder accompaniment and chamber music at the University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna, with Professor Barbara Moser. He completed his studies in Lieder accompaniment at the Franz-Schubert-Institut, in Baden-be-Wien, Austria, and at the International Summer Academy of the Mozarteum University, Salzburg.
Join us at the Vernon Studio, RIAM on Saturday the 10th October to see Niall Kinsella perform piano accompaniment for our four bursary award recipients. FREE ADMISSION.
Nick O’Neill, 21, is a young baritone from Dublin who is studying singing, most recently with the late Mary Brennan.
He is this year’s winner of the Baritone Solo competition in the Feis Ceoil, where he has received numerous awards and silverware over the years, including runner-up in the John McCormack Cup (2024); winner of the Paul Deegan cup (2023); and the Junior Vocal Recital (2022), after which he was invited to perform at the Feis Ceoil Young Platform Series. He also received the Rose Bowl award in 2018, having won the Reverend Ambrose C. Benson Memorial Cup.
He is a seasoned performer, singing in various operatic productions through the years. He has toured Ireland with INO’s production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflote (2019), and has also performed abroad with companies such as the Yorke Trust, playing the title role in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, and featuring in Britten’s The Tempest and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice.
Aside from his solo performing, Nick has been singing in choirs since the age of 5, progressing with Dublin Choral Foundation. Currently he holds a choral scholarship with the Trinity College Dublin Chapel Choir, where he has been both librarian and secretary. In 2024, he was selected to participate in Sestina Music’s Next Generation mentorship program, culminating in the performance ‘In Praise of St. Cecilia’, singing Baroque choral works across the country. Other choral performances include singing with Lassus, Peregryne, and regular performances with the choirs of St. Patrick’s and Christchurch Cathedrals.
Nick is also an accomplished cellist and pianist, having studied for many years in the TU Dublin Conservatoire, winning awards for both along the way. He is currently in his final year of a Pure Mathematics degree at Trinity College Dublin.
Book your tickets for the Bursary Concert taking place on the 11th October 2025 here.
Sinéad Cosgrove is from Dunleer, Co.Louth. She started singing lessons when she was 8 with Geraldine McGee in Dundalk and then in 2017 studied under Ronnie Dunne until her passing.
She currently works full time in Finance and is a part time student under Imelda Drumm. She has sung in choirs from when she was young, but after she finished secondary school she sang in Cór Fingal under Eoin Conway, the Irish Youth Choir under Bernie Sherlock and now she sings in Lassus Scholars under Ite O’Donovan.
She went to Rome with Lassus Scholars this year and sang in many Basilicas including Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican. She has sung many solos as part of Lassus as well as the Irish Youth Choir including when they were invited to the Youth Choral Festival in Switzerland.
Last year was her first time competing in the Soprano solo Feis competition for which she received a Commended and which was surpassed this year by a 2nd place medal competing in the Margaret Burke Sheridan Cup.
Book your tickets for the Bursary Concert taking place on the 11th October 2025 here.
David Conroy is a young Irish bass with a powerful, resonant voice and a compelling stage presence. He initially trained in drama, earning a BA in Drama Performance from the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, where he was introduced to operatic singing by Dr. Robert Alderson. After a period working in Canada, he returned to Ireland and established himself as a freelance media producer while completing an MA in Broadcast Production at IADT.
In 2022, David resumed his vocal studies under the esteemed Professor Mary Brennan of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, training with her until her passing in January 2025. He now continues his development with Dr. Gavan Ring, focusing on refining his vocal technique and deepening his artistry as a low bass.
David has performed with the Irish National Opera as a chorus member in William Tell and with Lyric Opera Productions. He also appeared in Lurline with Heritage Productions and the National Symphony Orchestra (2024) and made his solo concert debut alongside Patrick Hyland and Ava Dodd in December 2024.
A 2nd prizewinner in the John McCormack Competition at the Feis Ceoil and a 1st prizewinner in the bass solo category, he continues to establish himself as a rising talent in the operatic world.
Book your tickets for the Bursary Concert taking place on the 11th October 2025 here.
Clíodhna Regan is a 22 year old soprano from Co. Meath. She has just completed her undergraduate degree in Music Performance in TU Dublin Conservatoire, under the tutelage of Mairead Buicke and Aoife O’Sullivan. She is a multi prize winner at Feis Ceoil and TU Dublin conservatoire, and was most recently awarded a bursary at the Derry Feis and first prize in the Soprano solo at the 2025 Feis Ceoil.
In 2025 Clíodhna made two operatic role debuts with Opera in the Open, in the role of Frasquita (Bizet Carmen) and Despina (Mozart Cosi Fan Tutte). Performing the role of Frasquita again with Loughcrew Estate Opera 2025. She also performed the Soprano Solo in Handel’s Messiah with TU Dublin Choral Society in Dublin and Armagh. As a chorus member, she has performed in the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival 2023 and 2022. Future engagements include ‘Yet Another Lunchtime at the Opera’ in November 2025 for Sheldon Nulty Music in the National Concert Hall.
Book your tickets for the Bursary Concert taking place on the 11th October 2025 here.
Come join us for a night of musical talent at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Witness the next generation of performers showcase their wonderful talents. It’s a night filled with performances of opera, classical repertoire, ballads, beautiful melodies and a guest performer. Don’t miss out on this special event celebrating the legacy of John McCormack!
David Clarke returns once more to deliver what promises to be another unforgettable journey through the world of singing.
Claudio Muzio performs ‘O mio babbino caro’
“Music to Inspire and Soothe” celebrates the timeless power of the human voice through performances by some of the world’s most cherished singers. From the golden warmth of John McCormack and the haunting beauty of Renata Tebaldi and Magda Olivero, to the passionate artistry of Gigli, Muzio, and Anna Moffo, the program highlights the emotional depth and variety of operatic expression. Legendary voices such as Feodor Chaliapin, Renata Scotto, Mario Del Monaco, and Alfredo Kraus stand alongside the lyrical charm of Nelson Eddy, Vincent Sardinero, and Joseph Schmidt, while the brilliance of modern stars like Jonathan Tetelman and Juan Diego Flórez shows how this tradition continues to thrive. Together, these artists offer a journey through music that uplifts, comforts, and inspires.
The talk will be held on the 13th September at 11am in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin. We look forward to welcoming Society members and newcomers.
