Biography:Isaac Isaacs
Isaac Isaacs
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| Given name: | Isaac |
| Middle name: | |
| Family name: | Isaacs |
| Place of birth: | Germany |
| Place of death: | Winetavern Street, Dublin, Ireland |
| Year of birth: | c. 1715? |
| Year of death: | 1791 |
| Profile: | Musician |
| Source of information: | https://www.jstor.org/stable/30101249?seq=2#metadata info tab contents |
Biographical notes
ISAAC ISAACS. (c. 1715?-1791). Isaac Isaacs was a German-born Jewish hammered dulcimer player of some renown in Dublin in the second half of the 18th century. The famous madam, Mrs. Margaret Leeson, was one of his patrons and employed him at parties and gatherings. She recorded in her memoirs (published in 1795) that "I used to have my groom, with the dulcimer on his back Isaacs playing on it, and another man on the violin, to play through all the walks [i.e. of pleasure gardens and fashionable sites such as the Dargle or the Glen of the Downs]; and when on the road, I had a coach or gig for them to play as we went; or sitting on the banks at the Salmon Leap, at Leixlip, at Carton, or the neighbouring demesnes." His death in 1791 was noted in several newspapers, one of which is interesting for its listing of tunes then popular:
ISAACKS
Died yesterday morning, at his apartment in Wine-Tavern-street, after a fatiguing nigh's performance. ISAACKS, the celebrated performer on the DULCIMER; minstrel-in-chief to his facetious majesty the KING OF DALKEY--Tickle-tempered-General(?) to the EMPIRE of MIRTH-- and principal musician to the nocturnal revels of Dublin.
This extraordinary Israelite--though he lived to an age of near eighty years, thirty of which he has been in the kingdom, constantly kept up with unabating devotion, the triple rights of Bacchus, Venus, and Apollo--yet wore at the last day of his life, all the apparent health, spirits and activity of vigorous Thirty.
Perhaps no man ever had more ample opportunities of to witness the truth of the celebrated adageIn Vino Veritas,
nor did any man ever, perhaps, so frequently evidence the rise and fall of the empire of frolick--in every class of mortals, from the PEER to the PIPER -- fromt he CASTLE to the cobbler's hall--Night was his DAY--and Day his NIGHT. His instrument, of which his mastery stood unparalleled in the annals of fame, was the mirthful stimulus of youthful, and the cheering comfort of aged hearts.
"Midnight shout and revelry,
Tipsy, dance and jollity,
Was [sic] only the planets cheered and illuminated the atmosphere."
Favourite of the festive board, and darling of the dancing train, the Fawns and Bacchants sought him by turns. The "Rakes of Westmeath", the "Rakes of Mallow", the "Rakes of Kilkenny", and all the other Rakes of the Kingdom confessed his skill. The "Humours of Burrowes," the "Humours of Glynn", the "Humours of Kells" the "Humours of Drogheda", and all the other humourous humours, felt the charm of his touch. "Morgan Ratler" never knew his fellow, with "Money in both Pockets."
In merrier days, ere SADNESS usurped the dominion of Festivity at the Castle--ISAACKS was a favourite Priest of the Revels--'Twas then he tickled the "Duchess of Rutland's Gigg", with "Jackson's Morning Brush."
He played "Trip it up the stairs" with "Nancy Dawson," in jigg time, with admirable glee; and some ladies confess he was the best performer of "Buff the Blanket," that ever excited merry motion in the dance. Some people say that he touched up "Ouna's Lock," "Behind the Bush in the Garden," with "Jackson's Yellow Twigg" better that any of this predecends, "Nora n' Cheesta" was an unquestionable evidene of this: "The Merry Harriers" too could bear testimony to the fact, and "Jack Lattan" (for Jack's Alive)--"The Night before Larry was Stretched"--confessed he played "Petticoat Loose" with "Moggy Lauder"--superior to the "Major." "When Amoret and Phillida were nutting in a grove", stimulated by the "Piper's Maggot," he played "Kiss in the Furze" with the "Widw Brady", and "Merrily Kissed the Quaker", as well as "Moreen ne Gibberlaun."
Every one known his name [?] is up about the "Munster Lass";--and as to the loyalty of his genius, none would doubt it who every heard his performance ofGod Save the King
In his loss will Irish Minstrelsy mourn a valuable friend, and the native...[?] of Irish music a skillful supporter. --"The Kingdom of Mirth" admired him--the "Druids" revered him, the "Boys of Straw", the "Night Cap Club" and all theOrders of Nocturnal revelry, esteem him.
Alike liveral and inbigotted in his Resorts, his cups and companions, all places from a grand Hotel to a night cellar, were alike to him--all liquors, from Imperial Tokay to humble Whiskey, were the constant and indiscriminate guests of his unbiassed stomach, open to all parties but influenced by none--and all Patrons, from a Duke to a Dustman, were equally the objects of his professional attention.