John McCormack in concert. (Photo courtesy Burns Library)
McCormack Tribute Nov. 14
By
His was a classic rags-to-riches story, almost too good to be true: the fourth of 11 children, raised in a row house in Athlone, Ireland, who by his mid-30s became an international singing star adored by millions.John McCormack (1884-1945) earned worldwide fame as a recitalist who performed a unique repertoire, combining classical music, folk ballads and sacred music — all sung with his distinctive tenor voice. His recordings sold in the millions, and his popularity led to international tours and his appearance in two feature-length films. He also was honored by Pope Pius XI for his work on behalf of Catholic charities.
On Nov. 14, Boston College will formally mark the 125th anniversary of McCormack’s birth with a film, symposium, lecture, and musical
performances. In addition, the John J. Burns Library is hosting an exhibition through Dec. 11, “John McCormack, Tenor: Celebrating 125 Years,” which includes handwritten pages from McCormack’s unpublished memoirs, correspondence, photographs, and sheet music from McCormack’s personal collection.
The McCormack tribute is co-sponsored by the Institute of Liberal Arts and Center for Irish Programs, and held as part of the Gaelic Roots Music, Song, Dance, Workshop, and Lecture Series.
Sullivan Artist-in-Residence Seamus Connolly, director of Irish music programs at BC, says that McCormack, like renowned harpist Mary O’Hara — who appeared at BC in October and donated her papers and other materials to Burns Library — “lifted the music’s profile, and brought it to a much wider audience.
“McCormack was able to tell the story of Ireland through his voice, his singing, and he helped bring the Irish experience to the world. ”
The McCormack tribute will begin with the screening of the 2006 documentary, “John McCormack: The People’s Tenor,” at 12:30 p.m. in the Jenks Honors Library of Gasson Hall.
At 2 p.m. in Gasson 100, noted Irish musician, folklorist and scholar Mick Moloney, the Global Distinguished Professor of Music at New York University, will join New England Conservatory Professor Hankus Netsky for a symposium, “The Legacy of John McCormack.”
Paul Brock, a distinguished traditional musician from McCormack’s hometown of Athlone, will present a lecture at 4 p.m. in Gasson,
“Impressions of the Great Irish Tenor.” Burns Library will hold a reception at 5:30 p.m., with a viewing of the McCormack exhibit. Assistant Professor of Music Ann Spinney will give a short talk titled “Treasures of the McCormack Archive.”
The tribute finale will be a 7 p.m. concert in Gasson featuring music organized by Connolly. The concert will include performances by:
operatic tenor Bryan Griffin, who has been affiliated with the Lyric Opera of Chicago; ballad singer Ciaran Sheehan, a star the Broadway
hit “Phantom of the Opera”; Boston Symphony violinist Bonnie Bewick Brown and pianist Timothy Steele, who will present the music of
McCormack’s long-time collaborator Fritz Kreisler; and a quartet of Connolly, Moloney, Brock and singer and multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Donohue.
“John McCormack, Tenor: Celebrating 125 Years” is free and open to the public. The list of events is available at http://www.bc.edu/schools/cas/mccormack-weekend/.