News

A phenomenal May run for Carmen - book now for October!

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:32:00 GMT

We've had a phenomenal May run with Carmen with sell-out houses and happy audiences around the country.

Booking is heavy for An Táin in Dundalk on Thursday night May 16th, but tickets are still available.

Tickets for the Samuel Beckett Theatre this coming Saturday are nearly sold out, so don't delay!

Given the audience response and demand for tickets, you are strongly advised to book tickets for our October run now!

Glór ENNIS – Tue 15 Oct - (065) 684 3103
Mermaid Arts Centre BRAY – Thu 17 Oct - (01) 272 4030
Siamsa Tíre TRALEE – Sat 19 Oct - (066) 712 3055
The Great Hall DOWNPATRICK – Tue 22 Oct - (028) 4461 0747
Pavilion Theatre DUN LAOGHAIRE – Thu 24 Oct - (01) 231 2929
Theatre at the Mill NEWTOWNABBEY – Sat 26 Oct - (028) 9034 0202

Keep watching Facebook, Twitter and opera.ie for more, exciting competitions and news in the build-up to the October run.

European Opera Days - BOOKING OPEN NOW

Wed, 01 May 2013 11:07:00 GMT

Booking is now open for European Opera Days at Dublin Castle on May 11th at 2pm & 4pm:

http://operadays13.eventbrite.com/

BOOK NOW! For this Fabulous Free Event, suitable for all the family. Celebrate Opera!

LOVE OPERA LIVE! COMPETITION

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 23:00:00 GMT

TELL US WHY YOU LOVE OPERA LIVE.

Each performance is different. The same score, the same cast, but... a particular acoustic in one venue; news that heartened the lead violin in another; a response to reviews - either good or bad - banding the troupe together in an expression of unity and harmony; singers, having sung the same roles for weeks, suddenly losing themselves in a moment of passion that creates unfakeable, unrepeatable magic for all; an audience that engages willingly in their part of the theatrical contract, suspending disbelief, bearing witness to the piece. Live is ennervating, live means anything can happen, live means that what you are seeing is unique. At its best, live is spellbinding. Even when things go wrong, the humanity of live is exhilarating. We are in this together.

TELL US WHY YOU LOVE OPERA LIVE.

Leave a comment below. Or comment on our Facebook page. Or Tweet @OperaIE using the hashtag #OperaLIVE

The winner will receive a pair of tickets for our opening night at the GB Shaw in Carlow on Friday May 3rd - or a venue of your choice throughout our national tour, subject to availability. Deadline for entries noon on Thursday May 2nd. Winner will be announced on Thursday May 2nd at 1pm.

NOTE - we did receive and note comments on this blog and they were entered into the competition - however we were also heavily spammed and so have disabled comments - apols to those who don't get to see their words in print. Keep an eye out for our Word Cloud coming soon!

Carmen in Kilkenny COMPETITIONon Radio 1 ARENA

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:00:00 GMT

Tune in to Arena on Radio 1 on Tuesday April 30th between 7pm and 8pm for your chance to win two tickets to CARMEN at the Watergate Theatre and a midweek break at Kilkenny's 4 star Newpark Hotel, including 2 nights B&B and 1 dinner.

Special Hotel Rate Carmen Opening Night

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:57:00 GMT

With Imelda Drumm in the title role, OTC's production of Carmen, directed by PanPan's Gavin Quinn and designed by Aedín Cosgrove, opens on Friday May 3rd in the GB Shaw Theatre in Carlow.

This ever-popular opera is selling fast, so book now to secure tickets for your preferred venue.

To see it FIRST! To catch that opening night thrill... you can take advantage of this special rate OTC has secured for you at the 4 star Talbot Hotel in Carlow.

Simply go to www.talbotcarlow.ie and when you enter May 3rd in the date field, you will see a field for ratecode, enter the code Carmen here and you can avail of:

€49 single room B&B - €59 double room B&B - €69 triple room B&B

Book now to secure this limited offer! And don't forget your tickets too!

Irish Times Online - CARMEN opening night - COMPETITION

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:26:00 GMT

Over the next week or so, readers of The Irish Times Online will have the opportunity to win a fabulous prize...

tickets for two people to the opening night of CARMEN at the GB Shaw Theatre Carlow on Friday May 3rd, with a pre-opera supper in the 4th Floor Liberty Tree Restaurant at the Talbot Hotel, Carlow, as well as two nights accommodation in this 4 star hotel on the Friday and Saturday night, with breakfast both mornings.

This is a prize as tempting as Carmen herself, but less tempestuous!

Discount for OTC fans - Michael Rose "The Birth of an Opera"

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:00:00 GMT

We had a huge response to our recent Facebook and Twitter competitions to win copies of Michael Rose's new book The Birth of an Opera.

We are busy compiling a list of favourite operas from all the entries you sent in. At a glance, it looks like the top spot will be a battle between La Bohème and The Marriage of Figaro, but the numbers ain't crunched yet... We'll post this list on the website soon.

Many congratulations to our winners from Twitter: Patricia Owen and Lauren Scully; and from Facebook: Laura Jayne Bowler, Chris Murphy and Michael Lee.

But we must provide some compensation to those who weren't lucky enough to win a copy. Our friends at WW Norton have very kindly offered OTC fans a discount on the £25 cover price:

To order copies of Michael Rose’s The Birth of an Opera with a special 25%

discount, from 1 April to 1 October 2013, visit www.wwnorton.co.uk and quote
WN243 at the checkout.

MAY DAY MAY DAY - European Opera Day tickets to be released

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:00:00 GMT

Based on previous years, tickets for European Opera Days will be booked out almost as soon as they are released.

We place a high value on these free tickets!

To avoid people casually booking them just because they are free, on the off-chance that they may be able to attend on the date in question, we are not releasing tickets until May 1st. This is to ensure that those who book tickets genuinely intend attending the event.

We are delighted to have Dublin Castle as a venue - we will be in the Dubh Linn Gardens near the Chester Beatty Library. In the event of rain, we shall move to The Coach House.

See you Saturday May 11th, 2pm or 4pm!

European Opera Days - at Dublin Castle

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:49:00 GMT

Opera Theatre Company (OTC) is delighted to announce that, in conjunction with the OPW, our celebration of European Opera Days will take place on Saturday May 11th at Dublin Castle.

This ticketed event will take place in the Dubh Linn Garden (outside the Chester Beatty Library), but in the event of rain, will move indoors to The Coach House.

Until the end of June 2013, Ireland hosts the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. At this time, Dublin Castle is at the centre of decision making in Europe. It is particularly gratifying to have European Opera Days accommodated at the castle during this period - especially such a stunning and flexible space.

Keep watching this space for more news of European Opera Days to follow!

RECRUITMENT - OTC seeks Executive Director

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:27:00 GMT

Opera Theatre Company (OTC) is a national touring company recognised for excellence, with a repertoire which combines cutting edge and mainstream productions. The company has been bringing opera to communities large and small across the island of Ireland since 1986. Supported by the Arts Council, communities, our sponsors and partners, regionally, nationally and internationally, OTC plays a leading role in the development of opera in Ireland. The company engages professional established artists, directors, designers, producers and musicians. Young emerging artists are encouraged through a Young Associate Artists Programme, while education initiatives are designed to generate a passion and interest for opera.

The Board of OTC now wishes to appoint an Executive Director to lead the organisation through its next stage of development. Reporting to the Board and assuming overall management responsibility, the Executive Director will lead the development of the strategic plan 2014-2018 and mobilise the resources of OTC to secure its sustainable growth and development.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional organisational leadership experience, success in fundraising, communications and team management, together with an ability to collaborate, manage negotiations and influence at multiple levels with a diverse range of stakeholders. He/she will be an experienced business developer with strategic business planning, event promotion and financial management skills and experience. An appreciation of the art form, while not essential, is desirable.

This is an outstanding opportunity to lead a unique organisation with a track record of excellence in the growth and development of opera in Ireland.

For further information please call Ellen Roche, Director, Executive Search, PwC, One, Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, at + 353-792 6703. A comprehensive CV may be sent, to Carla.devereux@ie.pwc.com

RECRUITMENT - OTC seeks Artistic Director

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Board of OTC now wishes to appoint an Artistic Director to implement its current artistic plan and to design, develop and implement artistic planning for a three year period. Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with the Artistic Sub-Committee, the Artistic Director will be a strong ambassador for OTC, animating and extending the impact of its Young Artists Programme, its education and outreach activities, leading the resourcing of its productions and leveraging national and international networks for the development of opera in Ireland.

With a track record of excellence and an established reputation within the international opera community, the ideal candidate will demonstrate high levels of creativity, team-work and the ability to collaborate widely. He/she will have extensive networks nationally and internationally and a track-record in strategic fund-raising to promote the mission and vision of OTC.

This is a part-time appointment and a wonderful opportunity for an experienced professional to work with OTC at this pivotal stage of its development.

For further information please call Ellen Roche, Director, Executive Search, PwC, One, Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, at + 353-1-792 6703. A comprehensive CV may be sent, to Carla.devereux@ie.pwc.com

European Opera Days 2013

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Opera Theatre Company is delighted to accept the role of National Coordinator of European Opera Days in Ireland in 2013, which this year will be May 11th and 12th.

This builds on our relationship with Opera Europa, having hosted Opera Europa's Marketing and Communication Forum - Opera Europa's first Irish visit to coincide with our opening night of Così fan tutte.

European Opera Days makes for a great weekend where opera companies across Europe open the doors of their houses or go out into their neighbourhoods, bringing free opera to both seasoned fans and newcomers to the artform.

The response to OTC's productions for the event over the last two years has been hugely positive. Those who have not attended opera have the chance to take a taste, those who love opera have the opportunity to celebrate with their peers across Europe, and as a family-friendly event, children of all ages can engage with opera, often for the first time.

European Opera Days 2012 - The Coffee Cantata at The Merrion Hotel

This year sees NI Opera and Wexford Festival Opera taking part, expanding the celebration to North and South.

This year's theme is PLAYGROUND, and OTC will announce our exact plans shortly. In the meantime, here's what our 2011 audiences thought of Cake With Don Giovanni.

SOLD OUT at The Merrion Hotel

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:08:00 GMT

Tickets for Lights... Camera... Opera! have sold out.

The Merrion Hotel currently has a waiting list in operation.

This combination of good food in luxurious surroundings, and opera repurposed from stage to screen, will take place on Wednesday February 27th. To all who secured a place at this event, we wish you a wonderful evening!

Lights... Camera... Opera!

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 10:58:00 GMT

Fancy a scrumptious three-course meal in the opulent surroundings of The Cellar Restaurant at The Merrion Hotel, and a celebration of opera arias and ensembles that have created new dramatic life on screen? Book your ticket for €55, details here.

Irish Times Theatre Award Nomination for Orfeo Design

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:34:00 GMT

We are delighted that Joe Vanek's design of our Summer 2012 production of Monteverdi's Orfeo has received a nomination for the Irish Times Theatre Awards.

See how Joe earned this nomination by viewing a clip of Orfeo here, and seeing our production shots here.

A full list of nominations is available here - many congratulations to all nominees!