Saturday, December 29, 2012

Just a song at twilight: the ballads of J. L. Molloy

Speranza


James Lynam Molloy (c. August 1837 - 4 February 1909) was an Irish poet, author and composer.

 

James Molloy attended St Edmund's College (Ware) as a student between 1851 and 1855 along with his brother Bernard, who later became an MP.

After leaving the College, Molloy went to the Catholic University in Dublin, graduating in 1858.

He then continued his studies in London, Paris, and Bonn, being called to the Bar in 1863, although he never practised Law, but the piano.

Molloy started writing and publishing ballads (as he pretentiously called his songs) which soon became popular in concert halls -- notably St. James's Hall, in Piccadilly -- a favourite with the bourgeosie


Initially concentrating on operettas, Molloy later gained popularity with his three ballads "The Old Cottage Clock", "Bantry Bay" and "The Kerry Dance".

In 1884 he had his greatest success of all "Love's Old Sweet Song", a song since very popular with sailors, among others.

With W. S. Gilbert, he wrote several songs, including "Thady O'Flynn" (1868; used in the operetta No Cards), "Corisande" (1870) and "Eily's Reason" (1871).

He also wrote a book in 1874 called Our Autumn Holiday on French Rivers.

References

  1. ^ Kay, David J S. The People of St Edmund's College (The Edmundian Association: 2003) ISBN 0-9546125-0-7
  2. ^ Allen, Reginald (1963). W. S. Gilbert: An Anniversary Survey and Exhibition Checklist with Thirty-five Illustrations, The Biographical Society of the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

[edit] External links

   
 
 
 

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