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Opera in Ireland - general discussion thread on all things opera in Ireland

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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    I would urge trying to support the Traviata (its a great opera, what have you got to lose!), unless we hear bad reports warning us off. We need to encourage visiting opera to make Dublin a regular on their tours. Hopefully something better than the Ellen Kent efforts. They were baaaaaaad :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    Westtip. Is it you who has seen, or is to see the Orlando from Scottish Opera. Any reports? Going to rugby game at the end of Feb and would try to take it in on the trip if it recommended. And maybe even if it isnt - I like my Handel.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭The Green Pixie


    Hi All,
    I've just found this thread. I'm a frustrated opera nut - frustrated because I live in the one country in Europe that doesn't have any opera.
    Anyway, I already have tickets for Rigoletto, and am going to bet on Traviata as well. Apart from anything else, the Grand Canal is a great venue for opera. Acoustics certainly no worse than in many "real" opera houses.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    Hi All,
    I've just found this thread. I'm a frustrated opera nut - frustrated because I live in the one country in Europe that doesn't have any opera.
    Anyway, I already have tickets for Rigoletto, and am going to bet on Traviata as well. Apart from anything else, the Grand Canal is a great venue for opera. Acoustics certainly no worse than in many "real" opera houses.

    Don Pasquale : OTC : Touring : Feb
    The Merry Widow : NCH : 19,20,22 Feb
    La Boheme : NCH : 25 Mar
    Don Giovanni : Lyric : 14,16 May
    Fantastic Mr Fox : ETO : BGOH : 25 May
    Il Tabarro & Gianni Schicchi : ETO : BGOH : 26,27 May
    La Clemenza di Tito : ETO : BGOH : 28 May
    Rigoletto : SO : GCT : 21-25 June.
    La Traviata : Perm Opera : GCT :
    La Cour de Celimene : WOF : Wexford :
    Maria : WOF : Wexford :
    Gianni di Parigi : WOF :


    Welcome. Its meagre by international standards, but we try not despair completely on this thread! Supplement with a little international travel or take in an opera when on holidays if you can and you can feed your habit. We are never going to be Berlin or London.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sandwlch wrote: »
    Westtip. Is it you who has seen, or is to see the Orlando from Scottish Opera. Any reports? Going to rugby game at the end of Feb and would try to take it in on the trip if it recommended. And maybe even if it isnt - I like my Handel.

    Planning to nip over for a Saturday matinee - its actually doable there and back in the day, although I am chosing to stay. Not sure if the dates will tie up ireland scotland match - is that on at the end of Feb? but will leave that for you to check up on! Will post up a report after the trip.

    I think we have the makings of a fabulous opera plot with whats unfolding this morning in Kildare Street. An operatic farce of the highest proportions!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sandwlch wrote: »
    I would urge trying to support the Traviata (its a great opera, what have you got to lose!), unless we hear bad reports warning us off. We need to encourage visiting opera to make Dublin a regular on their tours. Hopefully something better than the Ellen Kent efforts. They were baaaaaaad :(

    Especially if we get a first class Russian Baritone as Germont! Would be worth going to just for that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭The Green Pixie


    westtip wrote: »
    I think we have the makings of a fabulous opera plot with whats unfolding this morning in Kildare Street. An operatic farce of the highest proportions!

    Except that I think that it's more a tragedy than a farce.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Is anyone up for an opera boards meet up at the interval or pre-opera - I know its a long way off but how about at one of the Rigoletto performances? Jonny I see you posted up you have tickets for Saturday I have not yet booked yet but does anyone else have a view on this - we can all get together have a glass of wine talk total opera bull and decry the state of opera in our country in one evening? Might be a laugh

    Or before June if there is something we can all get to.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    westtip wrote: »
    Is anyone up for an opera boards meet up at the interval or pre-opera - I know its a long way off but how about at one of the Rigoletto performances? Jonny I see you posted up you have tickets for Saturday I have not yet booked yet but does anyone else have a view on this - we can all get together have a glass of wine talk total opera bull and decry the state of opera in our country in one evening? Might be a laugh

    Or before June if there is something we can all get to.

    Havent booked yet, but should be able to get to the Saturday Rigoletto also.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭The Green Pixie


    I'd be up for meeting at the Saturday Rigoletto. Sounds like a good idea to me.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭The Green Pixie


    I watched a Met Magic Flute on Sky Arts last night.
    A kind of Star Wars production designed to make opera accessible to children, I found it very entertaining indeed. It was somewhat shortened and it was sung in English.

    Of course the production was incomprably spectacular (what other house has budgets like the Met?) but maybe initiatives like that should be dabbled with here as well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    I watched a Met Magic Flute on Sky Arts last night.
    A kind of Star Wars production designed to make opera accessible to children, I found it very entertaining indeed. It was somewhat shortened and it was sung in English.

    Of course the production was incomprably spectacular (what other house has budgets like the Met?) but maybe initiatives like that should be dabbled with here as well.

    OTC did a shortened version of MF a few years back and promoted it a lot to schools etc I saw it in Sligo and lots of kids there, It did a lot with the pantomine and fun elements of the opera. I took two youngsters who did not catch the viral infection we all have called opera - if you want your children to get this - you need to do what my parents did and take them at the age of 12 to Die Frau ohne Shatten (R.Strauss) or even better Tristan at 10. There was no child line then, I am still in therapy, but for ever grateful for being thrown in at the deep end (yes I did get to see the occassionl Boheme, Tosca or Rigoletto! in those early years of immersion).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    I'd be up for meeting at the Saturday Rigoletto. Sounds like a good idea to me.

    Was in Dublin Friday I picked up tickets for Saturday 25th we can all organise a meet up sometime nearer the event. I wasn't that impressed with the Tosca broadcast from the Met on Saturday did anyone listen in.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    Booking open for ETO visit to Belfast in May :

    http://www.goh.co.uk/default.asp?id=39&sC=page10


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 912 ✭✭✭Norrdeth


    Anybody going to the NY Met Nixon In China screening on Saturday in Dublin?
    A bunch of us from Maynooth are hoping to go, really looking forward to this one!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,463 ✭✭✭marienbad


    Norrdeth wrote: »
    Anybody going to the NY Met Nixon In China screening on Saturday in Dublin?
    A bunch of us from Maynooth are hoping to go, really looking forward to this one!


    Not in Dublin, but all booked up for Limerick, cant wait. Saw it live in the US and the UK premier a few years back, great nights ,great opera and I believe all the old stalwarts are still going strong in this production.

    Be great to hear peoples impressions on here afterwards.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15 PerriBlack


    Norrdeth wrote: »
    Anybody going to the NY Met Nixon In China screening on Saturday in Dublin?
    A bunch of us from Maynooth are hoping to go, really looking forward to this one!

    The Met don't do things by half. Went last night. The four hours seemed like 60 minutes. It was absolutely fabulous, Peter Sellars is a genius (by the way, great article on him in the Feb edition of Opera News).

    Very strong cast, great orchestra. I felt the best was Kathleen Kim as Chian Ching (Mrs. Mao), her coloratura voice and presence were perfect for the part as the slightly over the top wife of Mao. Kissenger, played by Richard Paul Fink was in an unusual role for a bass - a ballet dancer in the Opera within the Opera. He carried it off well. I would love to have been there to see it live.

    Next outing is Don Pasquale and I'm looking forward to Annilese Miskimmon's production taking a tilt at the bankers.

    Following that it's Derry for OperaNI's inaugural production Tosca in three venues in Derry. It's surely going to be better than Opera Ireland's swansong .


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    Sad to say that the Don Pasquale in the Beckett Theatre is a serious misfire from OTC. Very disappointing. Only positive is that they are still alive and it seems, around to fight another day. Report to follow.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sandwlch wrote: »
    Westtip. Is it you who has seen, or is to see the Orlando from Scottish Opera. Any reports? Going to rugby game at the end of Feb and would try to take it in on the trip if it recommended. And maybe even if it isnt - I like my Handel.

    Sand - got to see this at Saturday Matinee in Glasgow - Brilliant execution of thisw opera. If you can get across to Scotland take a cheap flight well worth it. BTW these saturday matinees in Glasgow are worth watching out for - its possible to do there and back in a day from Dublin without to much hassle and well worth it.#

    Guardian review here :http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/feb/16/orlando-scottish-opera-review?INTCMP=SRCH As with most reviewers caution about being too enthusastic, but it really was beautifully played by the SO Orchestra and I completely agree with the following comment from this review:
    Anyway, Mead's Orlando needs little decoration: his voice is in gorgeous, expressive form, and his acting is utterly convincing.

    On in Glasgow till end of the month and early March in Edinburgh. Worth the trip, highly recommended (if you like Handel in particular)

    I would not have been disappointed if I had heard the same cast and production at Glyndebourne.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    Thanks westtip. You have improved my week. Will be at Orlando this Saturday night and now really looking forward to it. Last time I saw it, was a lacklustre version from OTC (their more recent Handel productions were far superior, the Xerxes especially, a triumph).

    Don Pasquale last weekend (I wonder has OTC generally succeeded less well with opera buffa over the years. I missed the Nozze last year due to the volcanic ash, but do remember liking their Barbiere about 4(?) years ago).

    Unforunately I struggle to find anything good to say. The only excuse might be the Beckett theatre (I use the term loosely) in TCD which is totally unsuitable for opera. Maybe it will work better in a proper theatre.

    Nonetheless: pointless celtic tiger recession references, crude abuse of the elderly, staging involved the cast spending much of their time just moving props around, really woeful attempts at humour. A poor sounding Don, dreadful Ernesto (struggling to even hit the right notes), game and OK Norina, all shown up by a good Malatesta (Andrew Ashwin. hadnt really notice him before but he impressed here). Orchestra placed to the left of the stage floor did not sound good - a bit more like incidental string quartet accompaniment.

    Not OTC's finest hour.

    Fliers around appealing for patrons and supporters. Are they not just on a temporary reprieve for a year until they fold and are absorbed into the new national company?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Enjoy it - it really is a slickly put together production and its analysis of the madness of orlando is very interesting - the design is very very effective, and works tremendously well - re singing - really listen out for the most stunningly beautiful trio at the end of the first act. Quite exquisite last Saturday, the rest I shall leave for you to enjoy (I hope you do - one mans triumph can be another mans glumness) but I think you will enjoy it! Put it this way if I lived in Scotland I would be going back for more!

    Get to read the programme notes beforehand.

    Enjoy the rugby if you are going on Sunday - we should win, shouldn't we?

    Heard about this concert performance of boheme being advertised on Lyric, anyone going, March 25 NCH

    http://www.nch.ie/Box-Office/Performances/Puccini-La-boheme-A-concert-performance.aspx?date=25/03/2011&time=2000


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sandwlch wrote: »
    Fliers around appealing for patrons and supporters. Are they not just on a temporary reprieve for a year until they fold and are absorbed into the new national company?

    I think the new national company will drift into the memory of "didn't someone once come up an idea for a national opera company that we couldn't afford"

    Sand I am afraid that one will be a dead duck, don't you? I've not heard much about the committment to the national opera company in the election have you? Annilese from OTC was on the Radio before the luanch of the tour of Don Pasquale - don't ask me to remember the programme - its the artsy type one at about 8.00 pm. she got onto the subject of where opera is going in Ireland - and she hit the nail on the head - if this grand plan is to work they need to spend at least 10 million a year on it. Before the wind up of OI the total spend on opera (excluding wexfords grant from the AC) was about 2 million can you see a tenfold increase to ensure the national opera company envisaged can happen? I can't. She was of course quite rightly defending the corner to maintain OTC a company with 25 years of touring experience in Irealdn bringing opera as best it can to very far flung corners. This whole debate will have to be re-opened with the new minister of arts sports and tourism when appointed, I for one will be entering the fray with a proposal and hope others on this thread will join in.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭The Green Pixie


    I've recorded a few operas recently from Sky+.

    Only watched one so far - a Cosi Fan Tutte from Glyndeborne. Musically it was excellent - the singing was fab. The production was simple and just let the story speak for itself. I thought that the cleverest bit was that instead of making the disguised boyfriends look ridiculous, the director made them look more attractive than they were in the beginning, which made it much more difficult for the two ladies to control themselves.

    I'll probably watch another one tonight.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    GP indees Skyarts has made a difference for opera on TV, the quality of TV opera recordings is now much better than it ever used to be - with the odd camera stuck in the Stalls Circle as I recall from years gone by in the ROH. Opera Broadcasting really has changed with technology - its right up there now - but like a footie match nothing replaces being inside the stadium!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭The Green Pixie


    Just finished watching Tosca from the Met which the machine was kind enough to record for me a week or so ago. (The first time I recorded an opera it asked me if I wanted to record just once or the whole series, so I thought I might as well go for the whole series. I noticed this evening that it's set to record the Rosenkavalier in a few days time).
    Musically Tosca was pretty good, but I wasn't mad about the production. Very stark. The acting (particularly Tosca and Scarpia) was ridiculously over the top and so it was reduced to caricature.
    Other ones it's recorded for me are an ROH Don Giovanni, an ENO Boheme, a Met Traviata and a Met Turandot. The only problem is finding enough time to watch them!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sandwlch wrote: »
    Thanks westtip. You have improved my week. Will be at Orlando this Saturday night

    You chose a good weekend to be away! How was Orlando - did you concur with me or differ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    westtip wrote: »
    You chose a good weekend to be away! How was Orlando - did you concur with me or differ?

    I enjoyed it very much. Best was how effectively the staging worked (excellent set - only a desire to get up and fit a couple of dampers to the lively double hinged swing doors niggled). So many opera updatings dont work and feel realy clunky. This one worked, and the setting and original drama integrated superbly with each other.

    Singing good, and agree with you Mead was the pick of the group, with a very pleasant tone. He also looked the part (the Zoroastro looked a little young for the role in my mind, but I nit pick).
    The orchestra played very well indeed, but I couldnt help but hanker for a period instrument sound (you cant have it all though - the last Handel I was at was Tamerlano at CG last year. The playing of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment was absolutely perfect and a joy on its own - but everything else about the production a serious let down).
    Overall, a lovely production from SO. Much better than the Boheme we saw in GCT last summer. Chatting to a regular there, he was telling me SO are under severe financial pressure; number of productions almost halved and orchestra on short time, but that for the moment they seem to be maintaining their standards. They worry that some of the personnel will now start to desert and standards will slip. Looked good at the moment though. Am hopeful for the Rigoletto.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭The Green Pixie


    I watched Turandot from the Met on Sky Arts last night.

    Zeffirelli really out-Zeffirellies himself on this one. The production is unbelievably spectacular.

    Musically it was a little bit of a mixed bag. Turandot was Maria Guleghina who I very much admire - I have seen her live at least 3 times (Aida, Nabucco and Trovatore). I know her technique is flawed but I like her rich sound. I just wish she had sung more quietly in places. I found the Calaf a bit annoying (I can't remember his name), but Liu was simply amazing and totally stole the show.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Anyone going the concert performance next Friday?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,463 ✭✭✭marienbad


    westtip wrote: »
    Anyone going the concert performance next Friday?

    Not this time,Westtip, I am settling for Lucia di Lammermoor and Il Trittico and La Clemenza next month in Belfast


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    Unlikely to be able to make that one. Have booked for the Rigoletto in GCT on the Saturday though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    Just heard GTC advertising the Perm Opera Traviata on Radio1. For November. Who in the general public buys opera tickets 8 months in advance? An advertising waste of money?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sandwlch wrote: »
    Just heard GTC advertising the Perm Opera Traviata on Radio1. For November. Who in the general public buys opera tickets 8 months in advance? An advertising waste of money?

    Disagree Sand - its about event awareness. Personally I think they are choosing the wrong medium. If there was a central marketing service for the arts/opera in Ireland they could use viral to spread the word about this event. There are a limited number of opera goers in the country - One marketing operation promoting Opera in Ireland by E Mail, Mobile and viral could get the message out for a fraction to all opera goers - of course this would mean sharing data between organisations - heaven forbid.

    Yes I do buy opera tickets up to six months in advance (WNO subscription series).


    BTW that was a fantastic Lucia on Saturday from the Met Natalie Dessay is just brilliant IMO. She is just a such a superstar.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    westtip wrote: »
    Yes I do buy opera tickets up to six months in advance (WNO subscription series).

    I dont think you are a typical 'general public' opera goer Westtip!
    I buy well in advance also but usually only for trips abroad.

    I just didnt think that they potential audience that might be swung to attending an opera by such mass marketing would really be marking such an even in their diary 8 months in advance. Many people wont have even got around to organising their summer holidays yet let alone one evenings entertainment next Winter. And so at the moment it would either make no impact or be forgotten. Advertise in Spetember.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Sandwlch wrote: »
    I dont think you are a typical 'general public' opera goer Westtip!
    I buy well in advance also but usually only for trips abroad.

    I just didnt think that they potential audience that might be swung to attending an opera by such mass marketing would really be marking such an even in their diary 8 months in advance. Many people wont have even got around to organising their summer holidays yet let alone one evenings entertainment next Winter. And so at the moment it would either make no impact or be forgotten. Advertise in Spetember.

    I agree - but not sure a typical general public opera goer exists but I take your point!

    But yes keep off the airways for now and keep the pre-marketing campaign to viral awareness - costs less and will hit a significant portion of the opera going public before the need to get on the airwaves.

    I think the lack of live opera in Ireland (mainstream) now that OI has been taken out the equation has to be factored into the marketing of Traviata, and how many nights are they coming? 5? can't remember - Lot of bums on seats needed to fill, so no harm in sowing the seeds of awareness I guess is their thoughts. Plus part of the deal might be someone else is paying for the marketing - the Grand Canal might have block radio spots booked and need to use up airtime.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    marienbad wrote: »
    Not this time,Westtip, I am settling for Lucia di Lammermoor and Il Trittico and La Clemenza next month in Belfast

    Lucia ini Belfast? I can see Clemenza and Il Tabarro and Gianni Schicchi is on but where is Lucia.

    Also see SO are bringing Rigoletto to Belfast GOH in June - tickets much cheaper than Dublin - same as last year with the Boheme. I already have tickets for Dublin would have gone to Belfast - smaller theatre, might yet go there first, but certainly will try for the other two.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭The Green Pixie


    westtip wrote: »
    Anyone going the concert performance next Friday?

    I heard the Mimi on Pat Kenny's program on the radio the other day (I can't remember her name) and I thought she was awful. Fruity, wobbly and not particularly in tune.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    I heard the Mimi on Pat Kenny's program on the radio the other day (I can't remember her name) and I thought she was awful. Fruity, wobbly and not particularly in tune.

    http://sinead-mulhern.com/ is the mimi not heard her singer - Pat kenny in the morning singing in the RTE radio studio - have to give people a chance!

    I think I heard her sing once and she is perfectly competent - she has some nice reviews on here website http://sinead-mulhern.com/reviews.htm not that she will put up a bad review! But she does appear to have a reasonable CV, so don't go on what you heard on Pat Kenny!

    And you can listen to some of her singing also on her website at http://sinead-mulhern.com/audio.htm doesn't sound that bad! One or two of the extracts are not recorded that well may be downloads from broadcasts she has been in. Give her a chance!

    Anyway I am not going - too far to drive for a concert of Boheme an opera which I am sure like many of us on these boards - I have seen countless times, and familiar with every second of the opera. I will howeve listen in on Lyric as it is being broadcast. John Allen is giving a talk in the Interval on Leoncavallas boheme - the other La Boheme - which might be interesting to listen to - he gave a really nice lecture last night in Sligo on modern tenors of today. charming fellow and knows a great deal about the world of opera.

    I have to say at the end of Act one, I would not be disappointed if I had gone to the NCH.

    And will just add to that at the end of the show - if I had travelled down from Sligo for this tonight I would have felt the €30 or so for a ticket would not have been wasted - A fine performance! well done to those involved. well deserved applause.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    One of the finest tenors of post war britain died today aged 72

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9439000/9439338.stm

    I feel priveliged to have heard Robert (Bob) Tear sing at both the ROH and in roles for WNO.

    Most compelling of all was his Loge in Das Rheingold many years ago, the early 1980s. He mastered the role and controlled the Gods, in a quite compelling performance of an astonishing ring Cycle directed by Gotz Friedrich - he was every bit equal to the stellar cast of principles. Well known in operatic circles his name was not a household name - but he was a fine fine singer. His career concluded two years ago with his final performance at the ROH in Turandot.

    I also had the pleasure of briefly meeting him after one performance at the ROH, he was in having a pint after the show at one of the local hostelries. He graciously accepted a pint as a thank you for his fine performacne that night. A great loss to the British and indeed international operatic world.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    Don Pasquale : OTC : Touring : Feb
    The Merry Widow : NCH : 19,20,22 Feb
    La Boheme : NCH : 25 Mar
    Don Giovanni : Lyric : 14,16 May
    Fantastic Mr Fox : ETO : BGOH : 25 May
    Il Tabarro & Gianni Schicchi : ETO : BGOH : 26,27 May
    La Clemenza di Tito : ETO : BGOH : 28 May
    Don Giovanni : Lismore Opera Festival : 4,5 June
    Rigoletto : SO : GCT : 21-25 June.
    La Traviata : Perm Opera : GCT :
    La Cour de Celimene : WOF : Wexford :
    Maria : WOF : Wexford :
    Gianni di Parigi : WOF :

    Tickets maybe already sold out but Lismore Opera Festival added.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Don't know about anyone else but I am enjoying this Trovatore from NY on the radio and did not feel the urge to pay €25 to sit in a cinema watching it!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,463 ✭✭✭marienbad


    westtip wrote: »
    Don't know about anyone else but I am enjoying this Trovatore from NY on the radio and did not feel the urge to pay €25 to sit in a cinema watching it!


    I paid the 25, well worth it , a great night. Thought it is no substitute for the real thing it really is a brilliant addition to our opera going possibilities. Particularly for those lesser performed ones that we would have little chance to see.

    Some details of next years programme announced

    Anna Bolena (Netrebko)- October
    Don Giovanni (Kaufmann-I think) -October
    Siegfried- November
    Satyagraha- November
    Rodelinda (Fleming) -December
    Faust (Kaufmann) _December
    The Enchanted Island (new commission) January
    Gotterdamerung- February
    Ernani -February
    Manon -April
    La Traviata -(Dessay) April


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    I agree but actually wish they did more of the "encore" screenings - screenings after the event rather than live - cuts out any potential broadcast glitches and the need to suffer such long intervals in a cinema environment. I also wish we coudl get the opera in cinema showings from European houses that are no longer available in Ireland - we used to have them in Castlebar but they went down the Met opera route - with Sligo and Galway also offering the Met - it was overkill for the west....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 959 ✭✭✭kwalshe


    Just a quick note that Irelands first amateur Opera is taking place in Carlow next weekend.
    For info here is a link to the website -

    http://www.sheltermefromtherain.ie/

    Not sure about availability of tickets etc, at this stage.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,282 ✭✭✭westtip


    Good luck - new music been written for opera - great news!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,066 ✭✭✭Sandwlch


    Don Pasquale : OTC : Touring : Feb
    The Merry Widow : NCH : 19,20,22 Feb
    La Boheme : NCH : 25 Mar
    Shelter me From the Rain : Carlow : 5,6,7 May
    Don Giovanni : Lyric : 14,16 May
    Fantastic Mr Fox : ETO : BGOH : 25 May
    Il Tabarro & Gianni Schicchi : ETO : BGOH : 26,27 May
    La Clemenza di Tito : ETO : BGOH : 28 May
    Don Giovanni : Lismore Opera Festival : 4,5 June
    Rigoletto : SO : BGOH : 16,17,18 June
    Rigoletto : SO : GCT : 21-25 June.
    La Traviata : Perm Opera : GCT :
    Il Trovatore : Lyric Opera : NCH : 15,17,19 Oct
    La Cour de Celimene : WOF : Wexford :
    Maria : WOF : Wexford :
    Gianni di Parigi : WOF : Wexford
    Hansel and Gretel : NI Opera : BGOH : 24,25,26 Nov

    NI Opera first outing in BGOH, Shelter Me From the Rain in Carlow, and Il Trovatore in NCH added.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,463 ✭✭✭marienbad


    marienbad wrote: »
    I paid the 25, well worth it , a great night. Thought it is no substitute for the real thing it really is a brilliant addition to our opera going possibilities. Particularly for those lesser performed ones that we would have little chance to see.

    Some details of next years programme announced

    Anna Bolena (Netrebko)- October
    Don Giovanni (Kaufmann-I think) -October
    Siegfried- November
    Satyagraha- November
    Rodelinda (Fleming) -December
    Faust (Kaufmann) _December
    The Enchanted Island (new commission) January
    Gotterdamerung- February
    Ernani -February
    Manon -April
    La Traviata -(Dessay) April

    What am I thinking ! Of course it is not Kaufmann in Don Giovanni ,I think it is that lad that was marvelous in Don Pasquale Mariuz Kwiecien


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