The Seal Woman

Last updated July 15, 2025

The Seal Woman is a 1924 "Celtic Folk Opera" by Granville Bantock to a libretto by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser and drawing upon some of the melodies in Kennedy-Fraser's collection of Hebridean folk songs.^[1]

The opera premiered at the Birmingham Repertory Company, 27 September 1924, conducted by Bantock, and produced by Barry Jackson. Kennedy-Fraser herself took the part of the old crone.

Recording

The Seal-Woman Orchestra of Scottish Opera, conducted by John Andrews. Retrospect Opera.^[2]^[3]

References

↑ Mark Williams Ireland's Immortals: A History of the Gods of Irish Myth 2018 Page438 "Bantock's The Seal Woman ( 1924 ) made lavish use of traditional Hebridean airs , accompanied on the harp"
↑ [https://retrospectopera.org.uk/the-seal-woman/ The Seal Woman Retrospect Opera RO012 (2024)
↑ Review by Jim Westhead, MusicWeb International, 13 July, 2025

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[1] Mark Williams Ireland's Immortals: A History of the Gods of Irish Myth 2018 Page438 "Bantock's The Seal Woman ( 1924 ) made lavish use of traditional Hebridean airs , accompanied on the harp"

[2] [https://retrospectopera.org.uk/the-seal-woman/ The Seal Woman Retrospect Opera RO012 (2024)

[3] Review by Jim Westhead, MusicWeb International, 13 July, 2025

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