ROBERT O’DWYER (1862-1949): Eithne.

Description: A tenor and conductor who was born in England, O’Dwyer was one of the leading voices in founding a school of Irish nationalist art music composition. Written in less than a month in 1909, its title character is a woman changed into a bird who awaits rescue by a powerful hero which will return her to human form. The music of is steeped in the late 19th-century European operatic tradition with shades of Dvořák and Wagner infusing the score. Shimmering strings, hunting horns, luscious orchestration with soaring vocal lines, rousing choruses and lyrical arias - and all sung in Irish! 2 CDs. Irish (Gaelic)-English libretto. Orla Boylan (soprano), Imelda Drumm (mezzo), Robin Tritschler (tenor), Gavan Ring (baritone), Chorus of Opera Theatre Company, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra; Fergus Sheil.