News

European Opera Days 2012 - another success!

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:57:00 GMT

On Saturday & Sunday, May 12th & 13th, Opera Theatre Company produced Bach's Coffee Cantata at The Merrion Hotel to celebrate European Opera Days 2012.

The response from the audience was wonderful! It was especially heartening to see so many families at our Sunday matinée. Parents approached us after this performance to say how much their children had enjoyed their first taste of opera. We had many people expressing their delight at both the humour and musicality of the piece and the talent of the singer, and many more very happy to have had the chance to meet the cast, creatives and crew after the performance, in the opulent surroundings of the Merrion hotel.

Pictures from the day - both of performers and our audiences - are available to view on our Facebook page.

Opera Theatre Company was proud to once again put Ireland on the European opera map!

Anna Brady, Eoin Hynes and Nathan Morrison battle over beans... Coffee Beans!

Performing on the day were Young Associate Artists Programme alumni Eoin Hynes and Nathan Morrison and current Young Artist Anna Brady.

Learn more about the Young Associate Artists Programme.

Become a Patron of OTC.

Bach's Coffee Cantata at the Merrion - BOOKED OUT!

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:17:00 GMT

Within 15 minutes of release, tickets for Bach's Coffee Cantata at the Merrion hotel booked out!

While we are delighted with the response, we understand that some people must be disappointed by missing out. If you want to be waitlisted for this event, please e-mail info@opera.ie

This free event celebrates European Opera Days, celebrated in over 80 countries across Europe - Opera Theatre Company is delighted to put Ireland on the European Opera Days map!

New General Manager / Artistic Director of Danish National Opera appointed: Annilese Miskimmon

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:14:00 GMT

Opera Theatre Company is pleased to extend its congratulations to Annilese Miskimmon on her appointment as General Manager/Artistic Director of Danish National Opera. Annilese steps down with the conclusion of her contract as Artistic Director of Opera Theatre Company in August having spent eight fruitful years with the company. Opera Theatre Company wishes Annilese every success in her new role.

Annilese combined her Opera Theatre Company work with international directing roles and has just received a South Bank Sky Arts 2012 nomination for Mignon at Buxton Opera Festival.

The next opportunity to see Annilese’s work in Ireland will be at The Merrion Hotel. Annilese will direct Bach’s Coffee Cantata for Opera Theatre Company’s participation in European Opera Days at The Merrion Hotel on May 12 and 13.

European Opera Days 2012

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 11:48:00 GMT

What are you passionate about...?

Hopefully opera will appear quite high on the list you've come up with!

Lieschen, the heroine who helps us celebrate European Opera Days this year, has a very particular passion, one that leads her even to defy her father, right up to the threat of being left an old maid! Her passion is for..... coffee!

The Merrion Hotel will host Opera Theatre Company this year on Saturday May 12th and Sunday May 13th for three performances of Bach's Coffee Cantata, so you can enjoy your opera in opulence.

Taking place at 7.30pm on Saturday and at 2.30pm & 6.30pm on Sunday, these performances will be free - however booking is essential as places are strictly limited! Booking will open May 1st on a first come first served basis.

Young Artist Anna Brady will perform the role of Lieschen, here she tells us a little about the piece.

South Bank Sky Arts Awards Nomination for OTC Artistic Director's Mignon at Buxton Festival

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:40:00 GMT

Many Congratulations to Opera Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon and all the creative team of Buxton Festival’s Mignon on receiving a nomination for Best Opera Production in the South Bank Sky Arts Awards.

Photo of Mignon at Buxton Festival by Robert Workman

Conducted by Andrew Greenwood with Lighting Design by John Bishop, Design was by Nicky Shaw, who has worked with OTC many times, including two Irish Times Theatre Awards nominated productions, The Diary of Anne Frank and The Magic Flute.

We shall be watching Sky Arts 1 HD at 9pm on May 1st and cheering for you! Toi, toi, toi!

2012 Young Associate Artist, Anna Brady gives an insight into the OTC's YAA Programme

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:35:00 GMT

When Anna Brady, who successfully auditioned for our Young Associate Artists Programme earlier this year, came into our production office to speak with the programme manager, we took the opportunity to ask her to talk to us about her reasons for wanting to be part of the programme and what the audition process was like. Also, we asked, did she have any advice for future candidates?

We'd like to thank Anna for agreeing to this impromptu interview, filmed on iPhone.

The Young Associate Artists Programme is the only programme in the Republic of Ireland for the professional development of young singers. Become a patron of OTC and support the future of opera.

Young Associate Artists 2012

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:26:00 GMT

We are delighted to formally announce this year's Young Artist, who will be following in the footsteps of some amazing singers.

OTC's Young Associate Artists Programme - the only professional development programme for young singers in the Republic of Ireland - is proud of the success of its alumni, including last year's graduates - you can read an interview with two of 2011's Young Artists here, to give you a flavour of what the programme means to the participants.

We look forward to getting to know Grace Bermingham, Anna Brady, Jennifer Davis, Fearghal Curtis, Patrick Hyland and Padraic Rowan better as the year progresses, building on their strengths and bringing their talent to fruition.

Young Artists & Alumni at Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:10:00 GMT

It was wonderful to see so many familiar names on the Winners’ List of the recent Electric Ireland Feis Ceoil – all the current Young Artists are there and many alumni - Benjamin Russell won the Cuisine de France Count John McCormack Bursary - as well as two of the trebles from our recent production of The Magic Flute: Ferdia Peelo-Walsh and Jack Hopkins. Well done all!

Young Artist Padraic Rowan with the Mahler & Bradbury Cups he won at this year's Feis Ceoil - picture Christine Klenke

What you thought of The Magic Flute

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:46:00 GMT

What a tour it was! Starting in November in The Lir in Dublin's city centre, travelling to Tallaght (twice), Thurles, Tralee, Galway, Bray, Drogheda, back to Dublin city centre in The Samuel Beckett Theatre, Trinity, then on to Cork, Limerick, Sligo, Navan, Blanchardstown, Kilkenny, Downpatrick, Letterkenny and finally ending in Carlow on February 18th.

So many people took the time throughout this tour to come to us after the show and tell us how much they enjoyed this production. We had lots of comments on Twitter, and here's a word cloud of audience reaction from Facebook:

Is your local venue mentioned? Some towns are definitely more vocal than others! If you have any feedback on our tour of The Magic Flute, we welcome your comments below.

Winner of an OverNight at the Opera in CORK!

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:22:00 GMT

Congratulations to Aisling Flanagan, winner of our Cork Competition, who will attend The Magic Flute on January 31st at the Everyman Palace Theatre.

We hope she enjoys the delicious pre-opera supper in Greene's Restaurant and a luxurious overnight stay in Hotel Isaacs Cork.

Keep in touch with Opera Theatre Company to hear the latest opera news and to be in the loop for great competitions.

Book tickets for The Magic Flute LIMERICK - SLIGO - NAVAN - BLANCHARDSTOWN - KILKENNY - DOWNPATRICK - TALLAGHT - LETTERKENNY - CARLOW now!

Ticket Demand in Downpatrick Forces Move to Bigger Venue

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:41:00 GMT

So great has been the demand for tickets for The Magic Flute in Downpatrick, that we are moving to a more capacious venue.

This performance, in association with Downe Independent Promotions, is the only Northern Ireland date on our extensive tour of The Magic Flute.

We are delighted to report that it will now take place at The Great Hall, Downshire Estate.

Due to this move, an additional batch of tickets has been placed on sale, so book now to avoid disappointment!! Booking is via Down Arts Centre: 028 4461 0747

Special Hotel Rate for The Magic Flute in Dublin

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:19:00 GMT

If you missed The Magic Flute at your local venue and cannot catch it as it continues its national tour in Spring 2012 - or if you simply fancy a night in Dublin - come join us at The Samuel Beckett Theatre, TCD on Saturday January 28th 7.30pm (BOOK NOW!) and you can avail of a special room only rate of €79 at The Alexander Hotel, thanks to O'Callaghan Hotels.

It would be hard to find accommodation closer to The Samuel Beckett Theatre - unless you know someone with rooms in Trinity - treat yourself to a night on the town!

To avail of this rate, quote OPERA when booking your room on (01) 607 3900.

Samuel Beckett Theatre in top left-hand corner

Alexander Hotel in bottom right-hand corner

on the corner of Cumberland Street just off Merrion Square

AUDITIONS: Young Associate Aritsts' Programme 2012

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:52:00 GMT

Opera Theatre Company invites applications for its Young Associate Artists’ Programme 2012

OTC’s Young Associate Artists’ Programme (YAAP) has been extremely successful over the past number of years in furthering the development of young singers at the initial stages of their careers.

The YAAP is aimed at younger Irish or Irish-based singers –

- who have completed their formal studies and are at the outset of a professional singing career

OR

- who are in their final year of formal studies on a performance degree or post-graduate performance degree

Auditions will take place in Dublin on
Thursday 19th and Friday 20th January 2012 with a follow up interview for successful candidates on Monday 23rd January 2012.

Singers who wish to be considered for audition should email a covering letter, Curriculum Vitae and headshot to Artistic Administrator, Dermot O’Callaghan – dermot@opera.ie - no later than Friday 13th January 2012 at 1.30pm.

Young Artists receive coaching from Sir Thomas Allen

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:05:00 GMT

Our Young Artists were privileged and delighted to receive individual coaching from Sir Thomas Allen, who accepted OTC's invitation to travel to Dublin.

Opera Theatre Company worked with the Royal Irish Academy of Music to make these masterclasses possible, with students at RIAM also benefitting from Sir Thomas' time in Ireland.

"This was an invaluable experience for these young singers," said Dermot O'Callaghan, administrator of the Young Associate Artists Programme, "and Sir Thomas Allen truly gave of himself and his time so generously."

Brenda Hurley, Vocal Consultant for OTC's YAAP, with current young artist, Ben Russell and Sir Thomas Allen.

A Visual Teaser for The Magic Flute & a look back at 2011...

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:23:00 GMT

Here is a promo clip for our national tour of The Magic Flute.

Here is a reminder of what a busy and happy year we had in 2011 - and a sincere wish that you have a peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year...

These are just two of a number of clips we've uploaded to our YouTube channel, so why not have a browse while you're there