View source for Patrick Cassidy (composer)

{{short description|Irish composer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{use Hiberno-English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Patrick Cassidy
| image              = Patrick Cassidy - Composer.png
| birth_place        = [[Claremorris]], County Mayo, Republic of Ireland
| alma_mater         = [[University of Limerick]]
| occupation         = [[Composer]]
| notable_works      = Vide Cor Meum
| honours            = Cavaliere dell'[[Ordine della Stella d'Italia]] (knight of the Order of the Star of Italy)
| website            = [https://www.patrickcassidy.com/ patrickcassidy.com]
}}

'''Patrick Cassidy''' is an Irish [[orchestra]]l, [[choral]], and [[film score]] composer.

==Early life and education==
Cassidy was born in [[Claremorris]], County Mayo in Ireland. He received a BSc in applied mathematics from the [[University of Limerick]] in 1985 and supported his early compositional activities with a day job as a statistician and technology analyst.<ref name="ul-alumni">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-09 |title=Patrick Cassidy|publisher=[[University of Limerick]]|url=https://www.ul.ie/ul-alumni/patrick-cassidy |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=www.ul.ie |language=en}}</ref>

==Work==
Cassidy is known for his narrative [[cantata]]s – works he has written for orchestra and choir based on Irish mythology – and for the aria "Vide Cor Meum" originally composed for the film ''[[Hannibal (2001 film)|Hannibal]]'', directed by [[Ridley Scott]]. The libretto for Cassidy's "Vide Cor Meum" was taken from Dante's first sonnet in ''[[La Vita Nuova]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://operawire.com/opera-meets-film-how-opera-adds-narrative-depth-to-ridley-scotts-hannibal/ | title=Opera Meets Film: How Opera Adds Narrative Depth to Ridley Scott's ''Hannibal''| date=15 August 2019|website=operawire.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://classicalpost.com/read/2022/3/3/composer-from-hannibal-film-releases-the-mass-patrick-cassidy-and-glorious-pathos | title=Composer from ''Hannibal'' Film Releases ''The Mass'': Patrick Cassidy and Glorious Pathos | date=31 May 2023|website=classicalpost.com}}</ref> Cassidy's opera ''Dante'' premiered at [[Theater Hof]] in Bavaria in 2024<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-03-18 |title=Patrick Cassidy's New Opera ''Dante'' to Make World Premiere |url=https://operawire.com/patrick-cassidys-new-opera-dante-to-make-world-premiere/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=OperaWire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-01 |title=Composer Patrick Cassidy to unveil epic opera ''Dante''|publisher=University of Limerick |url=https://www.ul.ie/ul-alumni/news/composer-patrick-cassidy-to-unveil-epic-opera-dante |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=www.ul.ie |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-15 |title=''Dante'' – From Inferno to Paradise, Theater Hof, 15 June – July 12 2024, Hof, Germany {{!}} Watch Online |url=https://www.operabase.com/productions/dante-from-inferno-to-paradise-228162/en |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Operabase |language=en}}</ref>

''The Children of Lir'', released in September 1993, remained at number one in the Irish classical charts for a full year. It was the first cantata written in the Irish language.<ref name="ul-alumni" /> The [[BBC]] later produced an hour-long documentary on the piece. ''Famine Remembrance'', a commissioned piece to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]] in Ireland, was premiered in New York's [[St. Patrick's Cathedral (New York City)|St. Patrick's Cathedral]] in 1996. In June 2007, the piece was performed at the opening of Toronto's Ireland Park with the then President of Ireland as a special guest.<ref>[http://www.patrickcassidy.com Official website], patrickcassidy.com; accessed 29 November 2014.{{nonspecific|reason=What page on this website supports this text? A link to the website homepage is overly vague|date=April 2025}}</ref>

Other albums include ''Cruit'' (arrangements of 17th- and 18th-century Irish harp music with Cassidy as the soloist) and ''Deirdre of the Sorrows'', another cantata in the Irish language, recorded with the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] and the Tallis Choir.{{clarify|date=March 2025|reason=[[The Tallis Scholars]]?}} In 2004, ''[[Immortal Memory]]'' was released as a collaboration between Cassidy and [[Lisa Gerrard]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Review: ''Immortal Memory'' by Lisa Gerrard + Patrick Cassidy |url=https://www.starsend.org/ImmortalMemory.html |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=www.starsend.org}}</ref>

Cassidy now divides his time between [[Los Angeles]] and Ireland, where in addition to his concert work he has scored films and documentaries. He is a relative of the singer [[Sibéal Ní Chasaide]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/music-news/songbird-sibeal-once-silenced-by-shyness-34593883.html|title=Songbird Sibeal once silenced by shyness|work=Irish Independent|date=3 April 2016 |accessdate=10 October 2016}}</ref> who sang his composition ''Mise Eire'' at the official government commemorations of the [[Easter Rising|1916 Rising]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/1916/news-and-events/a-stroke-of-genius-to-kick-off-1916-celebrations-34329936.html|title=A stroke of genius to kick off 1916 celebrations|work=Irish Independent|date=2 January 2016 |accessdate=10 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/newrossstandard/out-about/night-of-music-in-duiske-abbey-34720078.html | title=Night of music in Duiske Abbey | date=20 May 2016 }}</ref>

Cassidy's song ''Proclamation'' was played at the inauguration of [[Joe Biden]] in Washington DC on 20 January 2021.<ref>[https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/603087/university-of-limerick-graduate-composer-to-have-song-performed-at-joe-biden-inauguration.html Song performed at Joe Biden inauguration] Limerick Leader, 20 January 2021</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://iftn.ie/news/crewnews/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4293808&tpl=archnews&force=1 | title=Irish composer Patrick Cassidy's original score 'Proclamation' chosen for Biden Inauguration &#124; the Irish Film & Television Network }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/biden-inauguration-irish-violinist | title=Irish violinist to perform Irish tunes at the Biden family's pre-inauguration mass | date=19 January 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.irishpost.com/news/louth-violinist-to-perform-two-classic-irish-pieces-during-inaugural-mass-for-joe-biden-201825 | title=Louth violinist to perform two classic Irish pieces during inaugural mass for Joe Biden }}</ref>

==Honours==
Cassidy is a knight of the [[Order of the Star of Italy]], conferred by the president of Italy, and bestowed with the title of Cavaliere dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/insigniti/351040 | title=Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana|website=quirinale.it|language=it}}</ref> He received the Outstanding Contribution to Culture/Arts Alumni Award 2007 the University of Limerick.<ref name="ul-alumni" /> After receiving public submissions, a road was renamed Patrick Cassidy Road in Claremorris, County Mayo, in 2022.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2022/05/20/road-naming-ceremony-taking-place-in-south-mayo-town/ | title=Road naming ceremony taking place in south Mayo town|date=20 May 2022|newspaper=[[The Connaught Telegraph]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mayo.ie/news/patrickcassidyroad | title=Naming of Patrick Cassidy Road, Claremorris by Mr Patrick Cassidy, Friday 20th May 2022 }}</ref>

== Compositions ==

* The Children of Lir
* Famine Remembrance
* Deirdre of the Sorrows
* The Mass
* The Mass ''for Organ and Choir''
* ''Dante'', opera<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrick Cassidy, Composer, Librettist – Performances on Operabase |url=https://www.operabase.com/patrick-cassidy-a2234642/works/en |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Operabase |language=en}}</ref>
* Kylemore Magnificat

==Film and television==
Cassidy provided music for the following:<ref>{{IMDb name|0144234|Patrick Cassidy}}</ref><ref>Fabian G. Huss: "Cassidy, Patrick", in: ''The Encyclopaedia of Music in Ireland'', ed. by Harry White & Barra Boydell (Dublin: UCD Press, 2013).</ref>

*''[[Hannibal (2001 film)|Hannibal]]'' (2001)
*''[[Veronica Guerin (film)|Veronica Guerin]]'' (2003)
*''Confessions of a Burning Man'' (2003)
*''[[Salem's Lot (2004 miniseries)|Salem's Lot]]'' (2004)
*''[[King Arthur (2004 film)|King Arthur]]'' (2004)
*''[[Layer Cake (film)|Layer Cake]]'' (2004)
*''Che Guevara'' (2005)
*''[[Ashes and Snow]]'' (2005)
*''[[Kingdom of Heaven (film)|Kingdom of Heaven]]'' (2005)
*''[[The Front Line (2006 film)|The Front Line]]'' (2006)
*''Breaking the Ice'' (2007)
*''[[The Tomb (2009 film)|Edgar Allen Poe's Ligeia]]'' (2008)
*{{ill|Escape to Freedom – The Aviator|it|Fuga per la libertà - L'aviatore|italic=yes}} (2008)<ref>{{IMDb title|title=Fuga per la libertà – L'aviatore|id=tt1153098}}</ref>
*''[[Kill the Irishman]]'' (2011)
*In 2010, Cassidy's ''Funeral March'' was used in the trailer for ''[[The Tree of Life (film)|The Tree of Life]]''.
*[[Calvary (2014 film)|Calvary]] (2014)<ref>{{IMDb title|id=tt2234003|title=Calvary|description=(2014)}}</ref>
*1916: The Irish Rebellion (2016)<ref>{{IMDb title|id=tt5444332|title=1916|description=(TV Mini Series 2016–)}}</ref>
*Smalltown (2016)<ref>{{IMDb title|id=tt6022360|title=Smalltown|description=(TV Mini Series 2016–)}}</ref>
*No Words Needed: Croke Park 2007 (2017)<ref>{{IMDb title|id=tt6635132|title=No Words Needed: Croke Park 2007|description=TV Movie 2017}}</ref>
*Bad Suns (2020)<ref>{{IMDb title|id=tt10986544|title=Bad Suns|description=(2020)}}</ref>

== Recordings ==
*1998: Cruit<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrick Cassidy – Cruit |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1691369-Patrick-Cassidy-Cruit |website=Discogs|date=1997 }}</ref>
*1993: ''The Children of Lir'' (London Symphony Orchestra and Tallis Chamber Choir)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-children-of-lir-mw0000125950 | title=Patrick Cassidy – the Children of Lir Album Reviews, Songs & More &#124; AllMusic | publisher=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>
*1997: ''Famine Remembrance''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/famine-remembrance-mw0000091238 | title=Patrick Cassidy – Famine Remembrance Album Reviews, Songs & More &#124; AllMusic | publisher=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>
*1998: ''Deirdre of the Sorrows''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/deirdre-of-the-sorrows-mw0000032560 | title=Patrick Cassidy – Deirdre of the Sorrows Album Reviews, Songs & More &#124; AllMusic | publisher=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>
*2004: ''[[Immortal Memory]]'' – with [[Lisa Gerrard]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/immortal-memory-mw0000333186 | title=Lisa Gerrard, Patrick Cassidy – Immortal Memory Album Reviews, Songs & More &#124; AllMusic | publisher=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>
*2006: ''[[Ashes and Snow]]'' – with Lisa Gerrard<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.last.fm/music/Lisa+Gerrard+&+Patrick+Cassidy/Ashes+And+Snow | title=Ashes and Snow – Lisa Gerrard & Patrick Cassidy | date=9 January 2023 }}</ref>
*2014: ''[[Calvary (2014 film)|Calvary]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/calvary-original-soundtrack--mw0002650321 | title=Patrick Cassidy – Calvary &#91;Original Soundtrack&#93; Album Reviews, Songs & More &#124; AllMusic | publisher=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>
*2016: ''1916: The Irish Rebellion''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/1916-the-irish-rebellion-mw0002930953 | title=Patrick Cassidy – 1916 the Irish Rebellion Album Reviews, Songs & More &#124; AllMusic | publisher=[[AllMusic]] }}</ref>
*2019: The Mass<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrick Cassidy – The Mass |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/19752913-Patrick-Cassidy-The-Mass |website=Discogs|date=2019 }}</ref>
*2021: The Mass – Organ and Choir<ref>{{Cite web |title=Patrick Cassidy – The Mass {{!}} Patrick Cassidy {{!}} Organ and Choir |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/30866373-Patrick-Cassidy-The-Mass-Patrick-Cassidy-Organ-and-Choir |website=Discogs|date=13 October 2021 }}</ref>
*2024: Kylemore Magnificat

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official|https://www.patrickcassidy.com/}}
*[http://www.air-edel.co.uk/representation/164/patrick-cassidy/ Air-Edel Associates]

{{Portal bar|Biography|Classical music}}
{{Authority control|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cassidy, Patrick}}
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Irish expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:Irish film score composers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Irish male songwriters]]
[[Category:Irish male film score composers]]
[[Category:Musicians from County Mayo]]
[[Category:People from Claremorris]]
[[Category:20th-century Irish composers]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish composers]]
[[Category:20th-century Irish classical composers]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish classical composers]]
[[Category:Irish male classical composers]]
[[Category:20th-century Irish songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Irish songwriters]]
[[Category:Male opera composers]]