Much-loved Cork artist John Spillane is back with his most 'ambitious album to date' - all about a popular Cork city landmark. His latest project Fíoruisce - The Legend of the Lough is a three-act piece based on 're-Gaelicisations' of an old Victorian fairytale. The story, traced back to the 1800s, tells the story of an old kingdom which - according to the tale - later sunk and became the Lough as we know it today.
The musician teased the project with a short music video shot at the popular Leeside landmark itself, giving us a sneak peek at his album designed for a 2-hour folk opera. The short teaser offers a chilling sense of the project's tone - showing an eerie masked figure rowing across the Lough to the sounds of haunting choral music. Read More: Elderly Cork dog who lost life-long owner needs 'retirement home' for her senior years Read More: First look inside the new Cork city hotel due to open next month The full album is heavily based on Irish mythology, depicting scenes of war, shapeshifting tricksters and the ultimate 'drowning' of a once flourishing kingdom.
John said the ominous music video is a perfect teaser for the piece, adding that he was thrilled to take part in a shoot at such a well-known Cork city landmark. He said: "It's hugely exciting to soon be releasing my Gaelic Folk Opera "Fíoruisce - The Legend of the Lough" and this opening track of the work is the perfect way to do it. Featuring the stunning vocals of Niamh Farrell and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, this song sets the scene for the great drama to come later in the fairytale.
"We had a great day shooting the video at the Lough itself. I love working with Al, he puts so much care into his craft and the results are always beautiful. There was a nice community feeling on the day, not only did we get the naomhóg from Pádraig Ó Duinnín and the fabulous costumes from Geata Arts, we were also joined by the regulars of the Lough who cheered us on from behind the scenes.
” The full project will be made available on CD and digital on Friday 13 September and can be pre-ordered here. The project will be officially launched at The Lough in Cork city at 4pm on Sunday 15 September, followed by a listening party at the MTU Cork School of Music. Admission is free, but spaces need to be booked in advance - which you can do here.
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