News

Irish Premiere of Grigory Frid's The Diary of Anne Frank

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:40:00 GMT

Moving and dramatic, this Irish premiere of Grigory Frid’s opera The Diary of Anne Frank features talented Armenian-American Soprano Ani Maldjian in the title role, making her Irish debut.

The young teenager’s writings provide a poignant and personal insight into a world event, chronicling an important era in European history from the viewpoint of someone living through its reality. Anne Frank’s diary has long held a fascination for OTC’s Artistic Director, Annilese Miskimmon. It seemed apt to celebrate the life of the young idealist and stage this production this year, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam.

The Diary of Anne Frank, opens at The Abbey Theatre on the Peacock stage on Friday 10 September with a second performance on Saturday 11 September, before touring to twelve venues around the country.

Perhaps Anne Frank’s most memorable trait was her capacity to remain an optimist in spite of the oppression surrounding her: I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.

This rare spirit in the face of adversity is humbling but, above all, inspiring. When Russian composer Grigory Frid read the diary in 1960, he was overwhelmed. Frid felt personally drawn to Anne Frank’s diary. Celebrating his 95th birthday this September, having survived Stalinism and lived through the rise and fall of Communism, Frid found the diary to be a deeply philosophical and ethical work, raising issues that still resonate today. Sung in English, the opera uses Anne’s own words to illustrate different episodes from life in hiding, finding eloquent expression in the compelling score.

Now in its twenty-fourth year of touring opera throughout Ireland, Opera Theatre Company offers original artistic experiences of the highest quality to a wide cross-section of the population. Miskimmon believes that the company has “a simple remit - to bring opera to the whole island of Ireland, no matter what age or social group. Unfortunately, opera has been kidnapped by elitism over time, but we are evangelical about our mission because for us, opera is not exclusive: it is enjoyable, exciting, emotional.”

With Andrew Synnott conducting, co-direction by Ingrid Craigie and Annilese Miskimmon, and design by Nicky Shaw, this compelling production should not be missed.

Don't be late for the wedding of the season!

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:08:00 GMT

Derry Playhouse on May 20th and Civic Tallaght on May 25th are at 8pm.

BUT there is a 7.30pm start at the GB Shaw Carlow May 22nd, Source Thurles on May 28th, Siamsa Tíre Tralee May 30th and Mermaid Bray June 2nd.

BOOK NOW!

#operaplot Winner

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:08:00 GMT

Opera Theatre Company is delighted to have been the headline prize for international Twitter competition #operaplot.

Our winner is Sam Neuman, a New York publicist, who will be staying in Dublin thanks to O'Callaghan Hotels and attenting The Marriage of Figaro at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght.

A longer article (with pictures) will follow, but for those who can't wait and haven't yet engaged with Twitter or Facebook, here is his 140 character winning entry:

"Father is less than enthusiastic about son's love affair with aging, bankrupt, terminally ill prostitute. Can you believe it?"

All the winning entries (as judged by Jonas Kauffman) can be read here.

Whetted your appetite for more? Then simply google Operaplot 2010, because this competition has attracted international coverage from everyone and anyone with an interest in Opera, not just the Twitterati.

Hotel Rate for Opening Date

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:52:00 GMT

O'Callaghan Hotels have graciously once again provided Opera Theatre Company supporters with a hotel rate, this time for the Opening Night date of The Marriage of Figaro, May 8th.

Stay at The Alexander Hotel, Merrion Square for only €109 B&B
or at The Stephen's Green Hotel for €140 B&B

These room rates are for double occupancy and are subject to availability.

Contact Natasha Jones to make your booking, quoting OTC.

These rates also apply to May 7th, our Dress Rehearsal of The Marriage of Figaro.

Tweet your plot

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:31:00 GMT

Always one to be to the forefront in innovation, Opera Theatre Company has become the headline supporter of an international Twitter competition.

This global competition #operaplot 2010, which opens on Monday 26 April, has prizes from Atlanta Opera, Edmonton Opera, Fort Worth Opera Festival, Opera Australia, Opera San Jose, Portland Opera, San Francisco Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Scottish Opera, Seattle Opera and Vancouver Opera - with the headline prize being tickets to OTC’s The Marriage of Figaro in Ireland.

To enter, all you need is a twitter account (it's free! - and once you sign up, immediately start following us). Then, you have 140 characters to summarise the plot from your favourite opera, including the hashtag #operaplot.

All entries will be read & judged by “opera’s pin-up & great tenor” (The Times) Jonas Kaufmann and the first five winners get to choose their prize from the pool.

Operaplot has run twice over the last two years, it started when Marcia Adair, a Canadian music journalist, initiated a competition on Twitter calling for people to tweet opera plots. Adair, who blogs as The Omniscient Mussel came up with the idea as an informal lark for her handful of Twitter followers; when she got about 90 responses in a week, she thought that perhaps she could take it further - and this year she has, aided by such Opera Tweet enthusiasts as OTC!

For all prizes, check out Marcia's website and the original competition page:
http://theomniscientmussel.com/2010/04/operaplot-2010-rules-and-faq/

Briefly, Opera Theatre Company is offering two tickets to a venue of your choice for any lucky winner, including accommodation – check out O’Callaghan Dublin Hotels (or follow them on Twitter) - and (at least some) travel costs.

**********
Remember, first time Tweeters, a spacebar counts as a character – check out this 2009 Marriage of Figaro entry for hints on how to get around the twitterestrictions….

AlmavivaHasAimsMostImpure/ThatHisWifeCanNoLongerEndure/SoShePlotsW/HerMaid/HidesDisguisedInAGlade/JigIsUp-NoMoreDroitDeSeigneur

Translation:
Almaviva has aims most impure
That his wife can no longer endure
So she plots with her maid
Hides disguised in a glade
Jig is up: no more droit de seigneur.

Once you have a Twitter account, you can enter the competition simply by including #operaplot in anything you tweet (& keeping within the character limit). If you want to follow the competition, simply put #operaplot into the search bar of your Twitter page and you will be brought to the live feed, seeing tweets from everyone who's included #operaplot a tweet. You can then "save this search" to easily access it from your toolbar.If you can't find the hash (#) key on your keyboard, try Alt and the pound symbol (3).

Happy tweeting!

Schumann tickets selling FAST!

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:06:00 GMT

Tickets for Clara & Robert: The Schumann Story are selling fast.

Tonight's performance at The chq building and Sunday night's performance at Rathfarnham Castle are SOLD OUT.

Click here for details of other venues and to BOOK NOW!

Renvyle Revisited

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:11:00 GMT

OTC Young Artists are delighted to be returning to Renvyle House Hotel for a Weekend of Opera, commencing Friday February 26th - for details, click here.

OTC Irish Theatre Awards Nominations

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:46:00 GMT

Opera Theatre Company is proud and delighted to have received two nominations in The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards.

Alcina - the Autumn production of our Handel commemoration year - is nominated for Best Opera Production.

Our unique Young Associate Artists' Programme has received a nomination for the Judges' Special Award, for its commitment to fostering Irish-based talent.

Link here to the full list of nominations.

Many congratulations to all nominees.

Offer To Celebrate - special hotel rate for OTC supporters

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:37:00 GMT

As a little Christmas gift to all our supporters around the country who might otherwise be unable to attend, O'Callaghan Hotels has generously agreed a room rate for OTC supporters for the nights of Jan 8th & 9th so that Opera To Celebrate can become the pinnacle of a relaxing (or sales-shopping) weekend right in the heart of Dublin City at either The Alexander, The Davenport, The Stephen's Green or The Mont Clare Hotel - click here for details of an Offer To Celebrate!

Visit OTC on Facebook & Twitter

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:23:00 GMT

Opera Theatre Company has its own Facebook page. This allows us more immediate contact with our friends, operating in real time, as well as providing us with the opportunity to share images, updates and links that relate to opera in general, or the arts in Ireland, or other subjects relevant to our life as a national touring opera production company - posts that may not have a place on permanent display on our website, but that complement our main website and give a further insight into the company.

Our Facebook page also allows "fans" to make comments, engaging with us and each other, should a post inspire them to do so. These comments have already proved both funny and throught-provoking. It's also good to know you are out there and what we do isn't happening in a vacuum!

We hope you enjoy our Facebook page as much as we do - click here to visit OTC on Facebook.

Opera Theatre Company is also on Twitter - search for OperaIE or OperaTheatreCompany and follow our tweets of twisdom!

Alcina review in Irish Theatre Magazine

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:24:00 GMT

Irish Theatre Magazine, in its new online incarnation, posts a review of Alcina, including a slideshow of some wonderful production photos by Kip Carroll.

OTC Festival Choir Project - BBC Radio Ulster

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:41:00 GMT

Catch a vibrant recording of the OTC Festival Choir project on BBC Radio Ulster’s Sounds Classical on Sunday 4th October from 8.30pm.

This project involved creating a choir in a day in Derry city as part of the Festival City of Song and features OTC Young Associate Artist Chloe Hinton (Mezzo Soprano) and a regular performer with OTC, soprano Rebekah Coffey.

Don’t miss it!

Debate on The Arts / Culture in Ireland

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:47:00 GMT

Here are some links to newspaper articles covering the impact the recession will/may have on Arts funding in Ireland:

"No time for faint arts"
The Irish Times - Wed Apr 29, 2009

"Opera companies face extinction under radical Arts Council reform"
The Irish Times - Thu Jul 30, 2009

"Fat lady sings for recession-hit opera companies"
Irish Daily Mail - Fri Jul 21, 2009

"Opera braces itself as questions remain over single company plan"
The Irish Times - Sat Aug 01, 2009

"Bureaucrats should never call the tune for the arts"
The Sunday Independent - Sun Aug 02, 2009

"Blow for opera, but the fat lady sings on"
The Sunday Independent - Sun Aug 09, 2009

"Putting a price on culture"
The Irish Times - Tue, Aug 11, 2009

"Tóibín says proposed arts cuts are cynical"
The Irish Times - Tue, Aug 11, 2009

"Historian condemns State's 'fatalism and cuts'"
The Irish Times - Mon, Aug 17, 2009

"Friel plays scoop award at Edinburgh"
The Irish Times - Mon, Sep 07, 2009

"'Deadweight' relief should be ended but retained for sports stars"
The Irish Times - Tue, Sep 08, 2009

"Culture after the crash"
The Irish Times - Wed, Sep 16, 2009

"Five ways culture can save us"
The Irish Times - Wed, Sep 23, 2009

Minister Martin Cullen on Arts Tonight
RTE Radio 1 - Mon, Sep 28, 2009

"Minister favours national opera company, in capital"
The Irish TImes - Wed, Sep 30, 2009

OTC - Dublin Culture Night - 25 Sep 2009

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:48:00 GMT

Gabriela Istoc, one of OTC's Young Associate Artists, will perform in Dublin as part of Culture Night 2009.

She sings in Pergolesi's La Serva Padrona

The production was also directed for the RIAM by Artistic Director of OTC, Annilese Miskimmon.

Friday 25th September - 7pm
Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), Westland Row.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR ENTRY

Got to culturenight.ie for other events - and enjoy your evening out!

Belfast Culture Night & Derry City of Song

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:26:00 GMT

Culture Night September 25th sees a taster of Everything you ever wanted to know about opera but were afraid to ask...... presented FREE to Belfast audiences.....

Many of you will remember the great success of OTC's Festival Chorus last year, as they performed so well with Edie Reader, at Derry's City of Song Festival Concert, that she asked them to remain onstage and improv with her on a few numbers. Well, now is your chance to participate!

For further information, go to our Outreach section now!