John McCormack

Noel O'Grady, widely acknowledged as one of the country's leading Joycean scholars, is staging a tribute event in the Round Room of the Mansion House on the 19th April in honour of his late friend and literary legend, Brendan Kennelly. Book here: eventbrite.ie/e/remembering-…

The performance of "Kalinka" by Evgeny Belyaev & The Alexandrov Red Army Choir is an absolute delight. Belyaev had it all. He was described as the 'Russian Nightingale'. youtu.be/DJ3tpPTaq4w?si…

David Clarke returns to deliver what should be another wonderful talk. It promises to be a sweeping panorama of musical history, a celebration of genius, drama, and beauty, and above all, a testament to the enduring power of the operatic voice. More info: johnmccormacksociety.ie/2026/02/22/the…

'The Golden Voice and his World' will be our talk this Saturday, 14th February. Martin Dwan will put John McCormack in the wider context of some of the great singers of the 20th century, artists who shaped taste, technique, & recording itself. More info: johnmccormacksociety.ie/2026/02/07/spr…

2025 witnessed some wonderful talks during our spring and autumn seasons and our annual bursary concert at @RIAMDublin once more revealed that the strength in depth of young singers in our country. We look forward to meeting familiar and new faces in 2026. Now a word from John.

Gordon Ledbetter treated us to a memorable talk on humour in music with recordings going back as far as 1891. One of the standout recordings was a 2016 performance by Patricia Janečková. An extraordinary talent taken from us far too early. Sublime! youtu.be/mVUpKIFHqZk?si…

Humour in the History of Sound Recording is the subject of our Nov 8 talk by Gordon Ledbetter, McCormack biographer & broadcaster. Gordon will look at humour in its widest sense & how it has reflected society’s tastes & mores over the past century. 🎼 johnmccormacksociety.ie/2025/11/01/hum…

What a wonderful night was had at the Royal Irish Academy of Music last Saturday where our bursary recipients delivered memorable performances of pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, Handel, our own Michael William Balfe, and many others. johnmccormacksociety.ie/2025/10/13/ann…

We're delighted to welcome the return of the multitalented conductor and pianist, Niall Kinsella, to accompany this year's bursary award recipients. Niall has established himself as one of the ​most exciting Irish musicians of his generation. 🎹🎼 Bio: johnmccormacksociety.ie/?p=2321

Nicholas O'Neill is one of our 2025 bursary recipients. He's a Dublin baritone 🎶 Feis Ceoil Baritone Solo winner 2025 + multiple past awards. Performed with @IrishNatOpera, Yorke Trust & @tcddublin Chapel Choir. He's a rising operatic talent! Tickets 👉 eventbrite.ie/e/john-mccorma…

Sinéad Cosgrove is one of our 2025 bursary recipients. 🎶 She's a soprano from Louth. Member of Lassus Scholars, she's sang in St. Peter’s Basilica & Swiss Youth Choral Festival. She secured 2nd in Feis Ceoil 2025 🥈 Book tickets for bursary concert 👇eventbrite.ie/e/john-mccorma…

David Conroy is one of our 2025 Bursary Recipients. 🎶 An Irish bass & Feis Ceoil prizewinner, seen with @IrishNatOpera, @lyricoperaprod & @NSOrchestraIRL (Lurline). He's a rising operatic voice to watch! 👀🎤 Book your bursary concert tickets 👇 eventbrite.ie/e/john-mccorma…

Clíodhna Regan, 22 y/o soprano from Meath is one of our 2025 bursary recipients. 🎶 Feis Ceoil winner 2025 & recent opera debuts in Carmen + Così fan tutte. Next up: NCH with Sheldon Nulty Music! 🎤 Book your Bursary Concert Tickets 👇 eventbrite.ie/e/john-mccorma…

OTD 1945 John McCormack died. He is arguably one of the greatest concert recitalists of the 20th century and widely regarded as setting the benchmark for the interpretation of Mozart and Handel. To mark his 80th anniversary we share this performance. youtu.be/Ra0kNnhPFSI?fe…

David Clarke delivered another superb talk yesterday. His knowledge of singers is extraordinary. We left wanting more. The novelty duet of Caruso and McCormack singing Lolita was a delight (they never recorded it together). Tebaldi sings Ave Maria: youtu.be/S1no4dz99wI?fe…

Our first talk of autumn 2025 takes place next Saturday, 13th September at 11am in Buswells Hotel. We look forward to welcoming Society members and newcomers. Read more in the link below. 🎼johnmccormacksociety.ie/2025/09/06/mus…

Lovely to hear Lily McCormack recall her husband John's career on the 5th anniversary of his death. x.com/RTEArchives/st…

Our final talk of the Spring season is this Saturday 10th May in Buswells Hotel at 11am. It promises to be a captivating journey through the vocal treasures of Russia, the former Soviet Union, and Eastern Europe. Learn more: johnmccormacksociety.ie/2025/05/03/ari…

Our next talk is on the 12th April at 11am in Buswells Hotel. It will explore the evolution of singing over the past century and be delivered by Gordon Ledbetter, the award winning broadcaster and critically acclaimed author. Read more: johnmccormacksociety.ie/2025/04/05/the…

Our next talk takes place on Saturday 8 March. 'Schubert - An Overview' will explore the composer’s rich and diverse musical output, featuring a selection of his most captivating compositions. 🎼johnmccormacksociety.ie/2025/02/25/sch…