A TALE OF TWO SIBLINGS
Radio documentary – one hour
Friday 8 March 2013, 7 pm, RTE lyric FM

http://www.rte.ie/lyricfm/features/

A Tale of Two Siblings is the story of a remarkable sister and brother, Edith Oldham and Charles Hubert Oldham, who were leading figures in Irish music and commerce education 100 years ago.

Edith Oldham was an important figure in music in Dublin in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. She studied at both the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Ireland and the Royal College of Music in London and was an accomplished pianist. During her time in London, she became a close friend of Sir George Grove and began a correspondence which lasted until his death in 1900 and which has given rise to speculation among biographers. When she returned to Dublin after her studies in London she became a member of staff at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and remained there for nearly fifty years.

Edith’s brother, Charles Hubert Oldham, was one of the leading young intellectuals in Ireland at the turn of the twentieth century. His outspoken views, especially his support of Home Rule, led to losing a number of posts. His career recovered and flourished and he became a Barrington Lecturer and Director of the College of Commerce, Rathmines (now DIT) before going on to become the first Professor of Commerce at the newly created UCD.

Edith was eager to promote music in Ireland and through her work with the Feis Ceoil helped create and promote a competition that is still a highpoint of Irish musical life. Charles Hubert also lent his support to the Feis Ceoil in its early years.

An insight into both their stories is provided by a series of fascinating letters written by their formidable mother, Mrs Anne Oldham.

The contributors are musicologist Jennifer O’Connor-Madsen; Peter Horton, deputy and reference librarian of the Royal College of Music in London; former librarian Celia Clarke; Laura Gilsenan, Chief Executive of the Feis Ceoil; Peter Clarke, professor of accountancy at University College Dublin; historian Margaret O hOgartaigh; and a member of the extended Oldham family, Elizabeth Oldham. Extracts from letters written by Mrs Oldham are read by Doireann Ní Briain, and Brian de Salvo reads from letters written by Sir George Grove.

The programme is presented and produced by Claire Cunningham. This is a Rockfinch production for Lyric FM and the programme is made with the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Sound supervision is by Tinpot Productions.

Our thanks to the Royal College of Music, London and members of the extended Oldham family for permission to use extracts from letters and photos.

After broadcast, the programme can be listened back to at http://www.rte.ie/lyricfm/features//

For further information, contact: clairecunningham7@gmail.com