RACHEL BAPTIST: "Ireland's Black Syren"

Rachel Baptist was a Black Irish soprano, who predominantly appeared in Irish "pleasure gardens” in the 1750s and 1760s performing arias by Handel and Arne among others. She was credited with turning Kilkenny into “a town of pleasure” following appearances at the Tholsel in the 1750s, and gave numerous performances in the town as well as in Dublin. Ahead of a performance in Liverpool in 1758 she was fêted in the local press as “the celebrated singer from the garden of Dublin” and “Ireland’s Black Syren”. 

 

Soprano Rachel Redmond joins the world-class Irish Baroque Orchestra and director Peter Whelan to recreate Rachel Baptist’s performances, following the album release of the programme on Linn Records in May 2024. 

 

Programme Repertoire

Handel Overture to ‘Samson’

Handel 'Mirth Admit Me of Thy Crew' from 'L'Allegro'

Handel 'Softly Sweet in Lydian measures' from 'Alexander's Feast'

Handel Cantata 'Diana Cacciatrice' HWV 79

Geminiani Concerto Grosso Op.5 No.12 'La Follia'

Pasquali 'Overture to the Gran Festino'

Pasquali 'Let Earth and Air and Ocean' from 'The Triumphs of Hibernia’

Pasquali ‘Nature first played well her part’ from ‘Nymphs of the Springs’

Arne 'By the Rushy Fringed Bank' from 'Comus'

Purcell 'Fairest Isle' from 'King Arthur’

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Approximate running time 90 minutes including interval