What a Glorious Crash They Made: Musick of New England’s Revolution.
By: Richard Franklin Donohue, Tenor & Harpsichord
What A Glorious Crash They Made features a collection of “New Songs” and Hymns published in New England during the American Revolution. From the time of the Stamp Act through the British surrender at Yorktown, New England’s seditious colonists used these works to foment rebellion, commemorate victory, and give thanks for preservation. Richard Franklin Donohue, Tenor & Harpsichord, will share his original research and explore this fiery repertoire that in the words of John Adams “cultivated the sensations of Freedom.” The program spans the Revolutionary war years with selections like John Dickenson's Liberty Song, William Billings' Chester, Thomas Paine’s Liberty Tree, and several popular British tunes with "new" texts reflecting the cause of freedom.
Richard Franklin Donohue is a singer, private music instructor, and historian. Vocally, he is a tenor who specializes in historic music ranging from Middle English Carols to 19th century romantic music. He has been teaching Piano, Voice, and Music Theory since 1992. Richard is the Town Historian of his hometown of Cromwell, Connecticut and has been the President and Program Director of the Cromwell Historical Society twenty years. He is the author of "Rosetown Review," a monthly history article published in the Cromwell Life newspaper and presents historical lectures throughout New England on various topics.
