Classical Music of Ireland

In the 18^th century a series of musical clubs were formed, mainly in Dublin, for charitable purposes, which led to an increase in performances. Handel came in Dublin in 1742 to superintend the first performance of his popular oratorio. The Passerini and Damici families were favourite artists in Dublin at the operas, shows and oratorios which were then famous.

source of picture: www.meg.ie

Among the next generation of artists was John Stevenson from (1761 to 1833), who is best-known for his publications of Irish Melodies with poet Thomas Moore. His works include the religious music, glees, odes, opera, catches, song and symphonies and accompaniments to airs. His contemporaries in the musical field were Michael Kelly and doctor carter, John Field, who lived in the early Romantic period, has been credited with the establishment of the Nocturne form, later established by Frederic Chopin. Michael W. Balfe composer of 38 operas for the houses of London, Milan, Vienna, and Paris; William Vincent Wallace composers of six operas and Charles Villiers Stanford achieved fame in Europe and the United Kingdom during the 19^th and the early-20^th centuries, but success for Irish composers has come mainly from outside the Irish country.

Michele Esposito, a figure of seminal significant in the record of Irish music of the late 19^th and 20^th centuries, arrived in Ireland in the year 1882. He became chief pianoforte professor at the Royal Irish Academy of music and remained in Ireland for forty-six years, teaching two generations of artists and composing clear works. A clear contributor to Irish music since the 1930s was Cork professor of music Aloys Fleischman. Now, the best-known living Irish composer is Gerald Barry whose operatic works have been particularly successful in the United Kingdom and Europe.