In the turbulent story of the 16th century
Irish seafaring chieftain, Grace O' Malley - with all its passion
adventure, drama and pain Shaun found an ideal subject for his
lyrical, evocative, highly human work.
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| Nollaig
Casey, Gearoid Grant and Rita Connolly - Belfast Mar.
2001 |
In Rita Connolly, with
a voice of the purity of crystal, he found the ideal Grace O'Malley.
Together they have made the legend of 'Granuaile' (Grace O'Malley
in Irish) come vividly to life. 'The Granuaile Suite' (1985)
sets an episode of Irish history in the context of wider European
history through a work which appeals to music lovers of all
ages. One song in the cycle, 'Ripples in the Rockpools' quickly
became a popular classic and is now in the official Irish school
syllabus.
'Granuaile' distills the essence of this indomitable woman
whose galleys ruled the seas off Western Ireland during the
times of Elizabethan conquests. Curiously enough, no contemporary
ballads celebrating her story have come down to us. The suite
fills this gap in traditional musical history, portraying her
defence of her territory, her seafaring exploits, he dismissal
of her husband, the death of her lover in battle, her compassion
for the men of the Spanish Armada who perished in the sea along
the coast of Western Ireland. It tells of her persecution at
the hands of the notorious Governor of Connaught and of her
daring voyage to England to protest that persecution in a confrontation
with Queen Elizabeth I.
The
sound of 'Granuaile' is unique, produced by a chamber orchestra
comprised of 35 classical musicians joined by uilleann piper
soloist Liam O'Flynn, acoustic
guitar, Irish harp and percussion. Over and above the fusion
of classical and traditional musicians, soars the pure voice
of Rita Connolly.
The reception of 'Granuaile' by critics and public has been
overwhelming.
"It's hard to describe the euphoric atmosphere at the end
of Shaun Davey's concert at the Queen's Hall without going over
the top. The reaction of the audience was just about the most
spontaneously enthusiastic I can remember at any Edinburgh event....Rita
Connolly's voice was a sheer delight to listen to." - Folk
Roots
"A truly wondrous and exciting work. Left the audience ecstatic,
the Ulster Orchestra obviously enjoying the experience as much
as the raving, cheering audience." - Belfast Newsletter
"Irish folk and orchestra blended with brilliance" -
Irish News
"Specially written for Rita Connolly, this work sets off
her spellbinding voice." - Liberte du Morbihan-France
"Davey's forceful score succeeds in suggestion the wildness
of the sea and Mayo landscape as well as the turbulence of the
era...a very enjoyable musical experience." - The Record
Roundup, Mass. USA
"A wild and magnificent song cycle," Libby Purvis,
writing in The Observer, UK
" Granuaile is an astonishingly beautiful work," - Staten
Island Advance, NY
"The suite for singer, piper and orchestra, which was transmitted
live on radio, was received enthusiastically. The audience demanded
two encores." - Sunday Tribune-Dublin.
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| Granuaile rehearsal -Belfast March
2001 |
