Another First for the Cork Soundworld

Roaratorio: an Irish Circus on Finnegans Wake was composed by John Cage in 1979 and realized in collaboration with sound engineer John David Fulleman. The piece is based on Joyce’s Finnegans Wake, and was originally commissioned for broadcast on WDR radio (Cologne).


Roaratorio is an iconic composition of great complexity and sonic richness, which features more than 2600 recorded sounds, performances by six Irish traditional musicians and a reading by Cage of his text Writing for the Second Time through Finnegans Wake.



It was Cage’s wish that Roaratorio would one day be performed live in Ireland, and in November 3rd, 2012, his wish will be fulfilled when the piece is presented on the stage of Cork Opera House. Paddy Glackin, Liam O’Flynn, Seamus Tansey and Mel Mercier join with Cage’s longtime collaborator and sound engineer, John Fullemann, in a single performance that brings Roaratorio ‘home’ and celebrates the memory of John Cage, Joe Heaney, Peadar Mercier and Merce Cunningham