The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-18
"Murgheis," Irish Opera by O'Brien
Butler, Said to Be Among Best
Efforts of Modern Composers
Thomas Egan to Sing Here

IF the Gaelic Society OF this city has
its we'll intentioned way grand
opera In English will become an
insignificant item among the burning
questions OF the day. That indefatiga-
BILE organization persists in reminding
the sons Of Erin, wherever they may be-
that they have native tongue and
that 1t sounds just as musical as any
other, provided the proper persons
speak or sing 1t.
Not content with emphasizing this
fact at every meeting in its club rooms,
the Gaelic Society has engaged 4Eolian
Hall for the night Of January "a and
Thomas Egan. the Irish tenor, to dem
Onstrate that some Of the tenderest and
most beautiful music has been written
by Irishmen and around Irish subjects.
It has not yet been settled whether Mr..
Egan will sing a song or two in Gaelic.
but II the society finally wins that
point 1t will consider that it has
achieved its first signal victory In max
ing the language popular
far cry. but grand opera in Ireland is
an established fact, and for a long time
1t has been sung there in English, But
there Is actually one grand opera writ
ten in the Irish language which has
been pronounced by leading musicians
to be among the best efforts Of modern
composers. and that is "Murgheis,"
written by O'Brien Butler and pub
lished by u firm Of German music pub
fishers. At one time nothing amused
vaudeville audiences more than the
suggestion by some sketch team" that
the Irish and the Germans would never
affiliate, but the above combination Is
suggestive Of an entente cordiale that
is interesting to say the least.
"Murgheis' has had successful hear
ing at the Theatre Royal in Dublin,
and another grand opera in the Irish
text, by ODwyer. a native composer,
is under way.
OF course there are few people who
do not know Of Sullivan's operas Of
the lighter kind or Balfe's Bohemian
Girl" but the general public may be
less familiar with the names Of STAN
ford. Benedict and Wallace, all Irish
composers. who have written charming
light opera.
Victor Herbert, perhaps the fore
most composer Of English grand opera
Of the present day. IL "A native Irish
man, and two noted Irish tenors. John
Mccormack and Thomas Egan. have
figured most prominently in European
grand opera In recent years. the former
In London and the latter on the Con.
tinent.
Grand opera has never been pr0mi-
nently associated with the idea Of Ire
land. and when most people think Of
her music they recall a few ballads and
old folk songs. but as matter Of fact
Ireland has heard and shown her ardent
appreciation OF most Of the greatest
operas and singers for many genera
lions.
In the days when Covcnt Garden
Opera House In London ranked even
higher than It does to-day among the
great opera houses OF the world It was
the regular custom to supplement the
season there by a visit to ireland. The
Theatre Royal Of Dublin was then the
scene OF brilliant meetings between
music and society. and the splendor Of
the ladies' gowns and jewels and the
beauty Of their faces would compare
favorably with any present day audi
ence In the Metropolitan. In these days