Opera Theatre Company was delighted to bring an Introduction to Opera to Fingal Libraries, using two different formats to entrance and inform audiences of all ages, from the absolute beginner to the seasoned opera lover. We thoroughly enjoyed our visits to Blanchardstown and Malahide. Read more about it in this month's Irish Library News.

Join Opera Theatre Company artists for an informative evening filled with beautiful singing and delightful stories.

Opera is not all about sadness, sickness and death: every tragedy has its foil. Commedia dell'arte started it all, with a joke at someone else's expense. In their often roller-coaster relationship with the establishment that paid their way, composers have always enjoyed pricking pomposity. Then there's the element of disguise and mistaken identity not to mind say trouser roles, so that everywhere there are men dressed as women or women dressed as men...

With music from Donizetti's Don Pasqualé, as well as comic arias from operas by composers such as Monteverdi, Handel and Mozart, Opera Club will stimulate the senses of both the seasoned opera fan and newcomer alike in an informal, intimate, club-like atmosphere. You also get the chance to chat and mingle with OTC's talented performers.

"It was the perfect evening in every way, the approach was so welcoming and the performers incredibly generous with their music, afterwards mixing and chatting to the audience..."

GB Shaw Theatre, Carlow - Saturday January 29th 3pm
Tickets: €5 - Booking: 059 917 2400

Siamsa Tíre, Tralee - Thursday February 3rd, 7.30pm
Tickets: €8 - Booking: 066 712 3055

Come and join us for the second of our two-series story of opera.

Having travelled from the birth of opera to its high life, join us on the next stage - Opera Club: Luxurious Middle Age to Re-Birth  - from Beethoven to Puccini, journey with us through the time when operas were written that retain their impact, and remain hugely popular, to this day.

Baby Grand, Belfast, Thursday February 18th, 6.30pm - £6.
Book via Grand Opera House or by phone (028) 9024 1919.

Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, Saturday March 13th, 7.30pm
GB Shaw Theatre, Carlow, Sunday April 25th, 6.30pm
Booking information to follow.

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!

Be part of this year's Opera Theatre Company City of Song Festival Chorus on Sunday 27th September in Derry City.

Come and join us for a day of singing. You can be any age and have any level of experience - we just need your enthusiasm and commitment.

You will be working with Greg Beardsell (UYC, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus), Mark Chambers (Tenebrae) and Opera Theatre Company Singers Chloe Hinton and Rebekah Coffey.

Take this chance to sing in the Festival Chorus Concert!

For registration forms, download from Music 55-7 or contact them by phone (028) 71 375 550.


Nigel Short and Gregory Campbell with OTC's 2008 Festival Chorus