On November 4th, there is a rare opportunity to hear Ann Murray perform in her native country. To make it easier for those from outside Dublin to attend this unique event, we have secured a rate with our partners O'Callaghan Hotels.

The Davenport and Alexander Hotels are conveniently located near the Lincoln Gate of Trinity College Dublin, just minutes from Pearse Street rail & DART station, off Merrion Square. O'Callaghan Hotels are offering Opera Theatre Company supporters a room rate of €129 at these hotels, subject to availability. Simply ring (01) 607 3900 and quote "Opera Theatre" when booking.

Great Irish Voices headlines two names familiar to opera lovers internationally: mezzo-soprano Ann Murray and soprano Virginia Kerr, chair of OTC. This evening of arias, duets and ensembles will also feature many special guests and OTC's Young Artists. This fundraising event is jointly organised by OTC and Dublin Simon Community, with many thanks to The Church of Ireland chaplaincy at Trinity College Dublin for hosting us.

 

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Opera Theatre Company is auditioning Boys (Trebles) for its forthcoming production of The Magic Flute.

The boys sing soprano, second soprano and alto.

Auditions will be held in Dublin on the 8th August.

If interested, guardians/parents should send an email to info@opera.ie including a maximum one A4 page listing music education (instrumental is also relevant) and performance experience if any.

We are very proud of our Artistic Director, Annilese Miskimmon. Her production of L'amico Fritz for Holland Park Opera is receiving rave reviews.

Designed by Nicky Shaw, who is an OTC stalwart, most recently designing the critically acclaimed Diary of Anne Frank for us (due to tour internationally later this year - watch this space for information), the action has been moved to the 1950s, creating a Doris Day style rom com.

Rupert Christiansen, reviewing for The Telegraph, agrees with this move, giving a 4 star review that also praises the singers and the "silky grace" of the orchestra conducted by Stuart Stratford:

Equally glowing are reviews in The Guardian by Tim Ashley, quoted in the headline above, and The Independent by Edward Seckerson.

Congratulations to all involved in the production for the popular and critical acclaim it has received. There's still time to catch this production, which runs til June 25th.

OTC Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon will be on BBC Radio 3 In Tune at 4.45pm today.

Annilese and conductor Stuart Stratford will be talking to Sean Rafferty about L'amico Fritz for Holland Park Opera. Anna Leese (Suzel) and Eric Magiore (Fritz) will also be in studio.

You can follow this programme, or comment on it yourself, on the BBC Radio 3 Twitter feed.

Opera lovers in the UK will be able to catch this programme at their own convenience on BBC iPlayer (not available in RoI).

Monday, April 11th 2011: Within four hours of announcing that Opera Theatre Company will mark European Opera Day with a whirlwind taste of opera and 25th birthday cake, Have your cake with Don Giovanni, tickets for each of the three performances were booked out.

Taking place at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on Saturday May 7th in Irish Landmark's Trust Georgian gem 25 Eustace Street, this free event - where audiences get to follow the lascivious Don Giovanni as he pursues Zerlina - provides an exciting extract from Mozart's opera followed by cake and a cuppa.

This year's European Opera Day has the particular aim of opening opera up to Young Ears - Have your cake with Don Giovanni is the perfect way to introduce someone to opera. The response to this day of opera has been such that we may consider repeating the event. To keep in the loop for updates on Opera in Ireland, sign up to our Newsletter, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook.