What A Glorious Crash They Made features a collection of “New Songs” and Hymns published in Connecticut during the American Revolution. From the time of the Stamp Act through the British surrender at Yorktown, Connecticut’s seditious colonists used these works to foment rebellion, commemorate victory, and give thanks for preservation.  Richard Franklin Donohue, Tenor & Harpsichord, will share his original research and explore this fiery repertoire that in the words of John Adams “cultivated the sensations of Freedom.”  The program spans the Revolutionary war years with selections like John Dickinson's Liberty Song, William Billings' Chester, Andrew Law's Middletown, and several popular British tunes with "new" texts reflecting the cause of freedom.

Richard Franklin Donohue is a singer, private music instructor, and historian. A life -long performer, Richard specializes in historic music ranging from Middle English Carols to 19th century romantic music.  He studied music at the University of Connecticut and has been teaching Piano, Voice, and Music Theory since 1992.  He is the Town Historian of his hometown of Cromwell, Connecticut and has been the President and Program Director of the Cromwell Historical Society for twenty years.   He is the author of "Rosetown Review," a monthly history article published in the Cromwell Life newspaper and presents historical lectures throughout New England on a wide range of topics.