Fergus Johnston has received a new commission from RTÉ LyricFM.

Following the submission of his work Moma Rosa (of which a video performance is available), a short set of arrangements of Bulgarian folk music have been commissioned by Ireland’s classical radio station for an ensemble consisting of clarinet, violin, accordion, double bass and percussion.

Johnston has recently been awarded one of thirty John & Pat Hume Scholarships from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth to pursue a Doctorate in Composition. The project will involve the composition of an opera on the 1535 rebellion of Thomas FitzGerald, a project which, the composer says, has been on his mind for nearly 20 years. The libretto has been written by Celia de Fréine and the work will be for a chamber ensemble with eight vocal parts, some playing several characters.

Posted: 15 July 2005