Left to right: Sadhbh Dennedy - Euridice/Musica, Ben Barnes - Director, Matt Trevino - Plutone/Caronte, Karolina Blixt - Messegiera/Speranza/Pastore, Padraic Rowan - Pastore/Spiriti, Fearghal Curtis - Pastore/Spiriti/Apollo, Daire Halpin - Ninfa/Proserpina, Peter O'Donohue - Pastore/Spiriti, Oliver Mercer - Orfeo, President Michael D. Higgins, Anita Vedres - Violin, Aoife Durnin - Violin, Anne-Marie O'Farrell - Harp, Russell Gilmour - Cornetto/Trumpet, Andrew Synnott - Conductor/Harpsichord/Baroque Organ/Regal, Sarah Halpin - Violone, Diarmuid O'Quigley - Company Stage Manager, Nina Treadwell - Chitarrone/Baroque Guitar - Photographs in this item by Karl Burke ww.karlburke.com

Opera Theatre Company was honoured to receive President Michael D. Higgins as our guest at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght for our current national tour of Monteverdi's ORFEO, conducted by Andrew Synnott, directed by Ben Barnes, designed by Joe Vanek, lighting design by John Comiskey and movement direction by Libby Seward.

Milena Barnes, Orfeo Director Ben Barnes, President Michael D. Higgins, OTC chairwoman Virginia Kerr

President Higgins spent a lot of time at the venue meeting with the staff and with audience members.

The performance was met with a great response from the audience. With continued applause and much foot-stamping, this was an ovation that truly rewarded all the hard work that goes in to producing an opera.

Laurie Cearr - OTC board, President Michael D. Higgins, Virginia Kerr - OTC chairwoman, Kirsty Harris - CEO of OTC, Anne O'Connor - OTC board

Afterwards, President Higgins took the time to meet with cast, band and crew, with genuine warmth and true pleasure on both sides.

We would like to thank President Higgins for attending Orfeo, and also thank his staff and gardaí for all their work in making this visit both possible and pleasant. Opera Theatre Company always enjoys performing at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght but would like to thank Bríd Dukes and all the venue-staff for hosting this very special occasion.

TO SNEAK A PEEK AT OUR PRODUCTION OF MONTEVERDI'S ORFEO, CLICK HERE.