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.

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!

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.

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.

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!