Finally, and without any fanfare (or at least none that reached me), Opera Ireland has listed its upcoming productions on the website, which may be the closest we get to an announcement till the ads come out. Clearly they are having to be as frugal as the rest of the opera world, and if that means shelving the catered press launches, then who can blame them?
Anyway the lineup is:
Macbeth (Verdi) 14 / 16 / 18 / 20 / 22 November 2009
Das Rheingold (Wagner) 19 / 21 November 2009 (Concert Performances)
Roméo et Juliette (Gounod) 27 February & 1 / 3 / 5 / 7 March 2010
I Capuletti e I Montecchi (Bellini) 4 / 6 March 2010 (Concert Performances)
All performances in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin
As they did in 2003 – the last time we had arts funding cuts in Ireland – OI are resorting to concert performances, though thankfully not across the board. We last heard Macbeth in Dublin in 1997 (memorable for the Irish debut of bass Stanislav Shvets) so hardly a hasty return, while the other works are new to the company, which is good news. The Gounod Roméo et Juliette (not seen in Dublin since 1945!) in particular is a welcome choice, given OI’s apparent aversion to French opera, aside from the inevitable Carmen and Faust. Casts and artistic teams are still to be announced.
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June 15, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Marilyn Lees
Have received WEXFORD OPERA FESTIVAL announcement by mail, so perhaps others on your list would also be interested. The Wexford festival is noted for debuts of young European singers, risky adaptations of classics, and premieres by contemporary composers.
Aside from that, the coastal scenery and hospitality are worth the whole trip!
June 17, 2009 at 1:43 am
Michael Lee
Wexford’s website is http://wexfordopera.com/ – good luck if you’re planning on going and have yet to book, as the festival is virtually sold out.
June 16, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Bea
Opera lovers may be interested in a new Opera company called Glastule Opera which opens next week at the Pavilion in Dun Laoghaire with La Boheme – Mimi is Emily Alexander who is studying full time in Milan. Glastule Opera is directed by Anne Marie O’Sullivan who is Head of Vocal Arts at the DIT. Check out their website for the other two short operas they are performing – one is Riders to the Sea and the other is by Gustav Holst.
June 17, 2009 at 1:40 am
Michael Lee
Glasthule Opera was introduced in two previous posts. Interested readers can refer to cast lists via the website, a link to which was provided in the post of June 13.