Rachel Baptist: Ireland’s Black Syren

Featuring

Peter Whelan
Rachel Redmond
Aisling Kenny
Irish Baroque Orchestra
George Frideric Handel
Niccolò Pasquali

Francesco Geminiani
Henry Purcell

Did you know?

1/7

Historical Context

Rachel Baptist's presence in Dublin made her one of possibly 1,000 to 3,000 black people living in Ireland during the latter half of the eighteenth century.

Performer Biography

The Irish Baroque Orchestra, led by Peter Whelan, won an Olivier Award for 'Outstanding Achievement in Opera' for their 2022-23 production of Vivaldi's Bajazet.

Performer Biography

Peter Whelan, the conductor, is also the Artistic Director of the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Curator for Early Music of Norwegian Wind Ensemble.

Performer Biography

Rachel Baptist, initially described as a "Native of this Country" (Ireland), later became known as the "Celebrated Black Syren" after returning to Ireland.

Historical Context

Ireland was not directly involved in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but its economy was heavily invested in the commerce of slave-produced goods like sugar.

Historical Context

The album highlights Rachel Baptist, a "real black woman, a native of Africa" and singer, who performed regularly in Dublin between 1750 and 1753.

Recording & Production

This album features premiere recordings of Niccolò Pasquali's Overture from The Grand Festino, and two songs from his works The Triumphs of Hibernia and Nymphs of the Springs.