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O'Carolan's Farewell to Music - Program NotesO'Carolan's Farewell to MusicCharacters Charles MacCabe - minor poet, harper, friend and traveling companion of Turlough O'Carolan. Setting A public house in the village of Ballyfarnon, County Roscommon. Time Late evening, March 30, l738. Biographical Note Turlough O'Carolan, known as the last of the Irish bards, was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1670, the son of a poor farmer. In 1688 he was stricken with smallpox and was left totally blind. Through the intercession of a wealthy Irish-Catholic family he was given three years of instruction on the harp and subsequently began his life as an itinerant musician. Though never a great hand as a performer, he quickly discovered his genius for composition. For the remainder of his life he traveled throughout Ireland, staying in the houses of the gentry, both Irish and Anglo-Irish alike, and composing for them. He is, to this day, regarded as Ireland's most beloved and celebrated musician, and, for what it's worth, his face is on the Irish £50 note. He died in 1738. List of TunesAct I Scene One - The First Day We Met Scene Two - Alderford House Act II Prelude Scene One - The Road Scene Two - A Glimpse Into His Soul All tunes were composed by Turlough O'Carolan Home • Biography • Discography • Shows • Multimedia • Photo Gallery • News • Reviews • Recent Appearances • Tour Dates • Harps & Harpers • Contact • Press Kit Copyright © 2000-2003 Patrick Ball Web Site Design by Indieanna |