Closing in on the Witch of Youghal

A new touring opera, titled Vagabones and composed by Raymond Deane, has focused on the trial of Florence Newton in 1661

Vagabones by Raymond Deane will visit four venues around the country next month

Witch trials seem to have flared up in the musical imagination in recent months. The flames of terror rise to the surface on an annual basis during the Kilkenny Arts Festival, when the town’s infamous Alice Kyteler sensibly did a runner there in the 14th century rather than face an auto da fe.

Now, a new touring opera has focused on another witch trial, this time that of Florence Newton, the so-called Witch ...