Impressive Clarity Ancient Irish songs about sleep - heard by HOWARD SMITH '... conspicuous authenticity.'

Sleepsongs is an album of Suantraí — ancient Irish lullabies and songs on the theme of sleep. Suantraí, along with Geantraí (songs of joy and happiness) and Goltraí (laments) comprise the three strands of traditional song in Irish mythology.

Caitríona O'Leary's first recording was as the Second (mezzo) Woman in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas (1689) with I Musici di San Cassiano, featuring American conductor/harpsichordist Bradley Brookshire (Vox Classics, 1994).

The following three recordings, all on BMG/Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, were Saints — Sequentia (1996), Shining Light — Sequentia (1996) and Aquitania — Sequentia (1997)...

IRELAND

VOCAL MUSIC