Sir, - I am researching the careers of some Irish Singers of the 19th Century as follows:
Catherine Hayes, soprano from Limerick - I am seeking access to any programmes of her appearances in Ireland, from 1839 to 1861; Allan James Foley, bass (known as Signor Foli), born Cahir, Tipperary, 1835; Barton McGuckin, tenor, born Dublin 1852 - he sang the first performance of Verdi's Otello in English (the other great Irish tenor to sing Otello was Cork-born John O'Sullivan).
The other singers about whom I would like any information are: Joseph O'Mara, tenor, born Limerick 1864; Frederick Ranalow, baritone, born Dublin 1873; Harry Plunkett Greene, baritone, born Dublin 1865; Jeannie Rosse, mezzo soprano, born?
Though I have a fair amount of information on some of these singers, on others I have very little, so every scrap of information will be of help to me in compiling biographies of these and other Irish singers of that era. I am particularly looking for prints, engravings and photographs of any of these singers. - Yours, etc.,
25 Sundrive Park
Kimmage, Dublin 12.