Thu 8 Aug, 5 – 7pm

Carolyn O’Brien’s novel, The Song of Peterloo tells the powerful story of Manchester mill-worker, Nancy Kay. Desperate to provide for her ailing mother and sensitive son, Nancy is drawn into the agitation for reform. But as she risks everything to attend a great assembly on St Peter’s Field, Nancy is unaware the day will go down in history not as triumph, but as tragedy; the Peterloo massacre.

A result of a collaboration between Carolyn O’Brien and fellow Mancunians – composer, Shane Cullinan and soprano, Claire O’Brien – The Song of Peterloo: a Performance will combine readings from the novel with music from the time, together with newly-created work inspired by Nancy’s story and the brave reformers of 1819.

As the therapeutic power of music unites two of the novel’s central characters, the performers will be joined on piano by Brigitte Schwarting, a therapist from Nordoff Robbins, the national music therapy charity. The event is held in aid of this remarkable charity. Carolyn will be signing copies of the book after the performance.

Biographies

Carolyn O’Brien was born and brought up in Manchester and studied English at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge before qualifying as a solicitor. Her short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies, magazines and on-line. The Song of Peterloo is her debut novel. It is published by Legend Press on 1 August 2019.

Shane Cullinan is a composer, arranger and lyricist whose work ranges from compositions for TV and film to orchestral dramas and operas. Recent projects include Lady Windermere’s Fan at the Vaudeville Theatre directed by Kathy Burke, The Pieta featuring actress Frances Barber and Claire O’Brien and his album The Violent Language of Portraits with vocalist David McAlmont and west-end star Rachel Tucker.

Claire O’Brien is an experienced choral singer and has toured internationally with the prestigious chamber choir The Joyful Company of Singers as well as pursuing a successful career as a soloist. She has enjoyed a long collaboration with Shane Cullinan and his orchestra Tonic Fold. Claire has set up and continues to run a number of children’s choirs called Little Belters across the Manchester area.

https://mailchi.mp/legendpress/zn074pp1jy-898813

https://www.shanecullinan.com/

https://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/

Your information

Manchester Histories is a registered charity (1151944). Your details will remain confidential and not disclosed to third parties. We will only use your data for the purpose for which it was collected. We are obliged by our funders to share aggregate data with them and will only share demographic and statistical data not personal or sensitive data. Read our Privacy Policy here: manchesterhistories.co.uk/privacy-policy. If you have any questions about this privacy policy please contact our Chief Executive at: Mansfield Cooper Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL or email info@manchesterhistories.co.uk.

About Peterloo 2019

Peterloo 2019 is a project that is led by Manchester Histories and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Working with key cultural organisations and communities across Greater Manchester it is delivering a programme of activity that combines public events, learning opportunities and creative exploration.