The development of classical music and composition in Ireland in the national cultural revival and the new state is also a largely undocumented and unknown strand of national cultural history. of exceptions), largely unknown and unheard. The works of Balfe and Wallace in the 19th Century were of enormous importance in international musical life at that time, yet are still (with a small no. The important contribution of Irish composers to national and international music life is also one which is little understood and appreciated. One only has to think of Handel’s visit and the first ever performance of the Messiah in the eighteenth century, the incredibly rich operatic and concert life in Dublin and elsewhere which saw Lizst, Paganini and the world’s greatest opera singers come to perform the great works of the day in the 19th century, and the ferment of musical and operatic activity throughout the 20th century to realise what a rich and important performance tradition Ireland has in classical music and opera. Such an archive should document and disseminate information on the large (and still largely unknown) creative output of Irish composers over three centuries, and the rich history of performance by Irish artists and performing companies, at home and abroad.

One of the significant cultural gaps that CAI is anxious to address is the lack of a dedicated digital and physical archive of the history of classical music and opera in Ireland. In the field of music, Ireland has an exemplary Traditional Music Archive, and a contemporary music centre which promotes and documents Irish Contemporary Music. Reflecting all of this, and contributing to the national and international reputation of Ireland in these fields, Ireland has a superb National Library, a film Archive and a theatre archive. We know, we value and we celebrate our heritage of poets, novelists dramatists and painters, we are also proud of our unique traditional music, and the Irish contribution to popular music in more recent decades. Yet one rich and important aspect of Irish culture remains largely unknown, undervalued and relatively uncelebrated, both nationally and internationally. Irish people at home and throughout the world are justifiably proud of Ireland’s rich cultural heritage. Archive project An Irish Classical Music & Opera Archive

Celtic opera music