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February 26

James Joyce and The Bohemian Girl

Michael Balfe's 1843 opera The Bohemian Girl has an aria (or air, or ballad, or what you will) variously called "When other lips" or "Then you'll remember me". Somewhere or other, probably on Google Books, I think I've read that that accomplished amateur singer James Joyce rated it very highly indeed in the drawing-room tenor repertoire. I've tried and failed to confirm that, but perhaps someone here can do better? I already know that Joyce made many allusions to its two titles in Finnegans Wake, what I'm looking for is his high praise. --Antiquary (talk) 13:04, 26 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I had no idea that Joyce could sing, so sorry if my own research doesn't actually answer your question.

Versions of "Then you'll remember me"... (score at IMSLP)

Although Joyce is renowned for his literary adventurousness, he probably had a singing style to match all the above examples, and his musical taste seems rooted in Victorian sentimentality of the very worst kind.

It appears that he had a better than average tenor voice. However, it becomes fairly obvious that although he had an exceptional musical memory, a bit like Mozart - Joyce could learn a song by heart in one hearing - he couldn't actually read music for toffee. He refused in a big national competition to sing at sight, although he did have some singing lessons. "How James Joyce Almost Became a Famous Singer". I suspect he realised this shortcoming, and didn't want to be shown up/ridiculed by properly trained musicians.

Joyce became a massive/obsessive fan of the Irish tenor John O'Sullivan (not to be confused with Denis O'Sullivan, d. 1908) when he was rather past his prime. "Music in the Works of James Joyce"; "John O'Sullivan's Biography, Part 1". A Youtube playlist shows why O'Sullivan wasn't hugely famous, although he certainly had a big voice.

From a review of Dubliners: "In contrast to the stasis of her life at home, or at "the Stores" where she is also confined, Frank offers Eveline the possibilities of travel in a variety of modes. He "took her to see The Bohemian Girl," just as he has taken her into the realms of desire, for she is "pleasantly confused"—a Joycean euphemism for "sexually aroused"—by the knowledge that others know they are courting, especially when he sings the song of the "Lass that loves a sailor." {by Charles Dibdin} (James William, 1995)" [1]

To attempt to answer your query - IMHO Balfe's music and Bunn's lyrics embody the very worst that music and poetry have to offer - and I fear that a search for Joyce's "high praise" for lyrics and music that arouse popular sentiment but are detested by critics will only end in disappointment. Maybe I'm just the very worst kind of musical snob. MinorProphet (talk) 01:46, 28 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the time and effort you've put into that research. You don't like Balfe, most critics don't like him, on the whole I don't like him either, we're all in agreement there, but the relevant point is that James Joyce certainly did like him. Indeed, The Bohemian Girl was one of his favourite operas, so I see no reason to despair of finding the words of praise I dimly remember reading. --Antiquary (talk) 10:44, 28 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]

I didn't say I didn't like Balfe: Enya's rendition of "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls" from her album Shepherd Moons is possibly one of the most affecting things I have ever heard. I would be very interested to discover what Joyce had to say: I know I there are many more diligent searchers than I on the ref desks, [throws down glove] but I have drawn a blank so far. MinorProphet (talk) 18:18, 28 February 2025 (UTC)[reply]