Opera Theatre Company's Young Associate Artists recently visited Belgium's internationally renowned producing opera house, La Monnaie.


Accompanied by Artistic Administrator, Dermot O'Callaghan, young artists Marcella Walsh (soprano), Emma Nash (soprano), Nathan Morrison (baritone) and Benjamin Russell (baritone).

Arriving in Brussels in time to see that evening's performance of Les Huguenots, OTC's young artists thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful opportunity to experience a rarely performed work. It is truly a Grand Opera - and a highly expensive undertaking for any opera company.
 
Another element of the trip was to work in the unique surroundings of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel.

Inaugurated in 1939 and renowned for teaching exceptional, young, talented musicians, The Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel has, with La Monnaie, set up an Opera Studio in Brussels, with similar aims to our own Young Associate Artists Programme: in order to prepare promising young singers for the vocal, physical and stage requirements involved in a career as an opera singer. Ireland is currently represented at this prestigious studio by artist in residence, Helen Kearns.

OTC's young artists worked with repetiteur/coach, Philippe Riga, and Director, Alain Garichot.

Thanks for this visit must go to OTC's colleagues at La Monnaie and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and especially to Ms. Evelyne De Vos (La Monnaie) and Ms. Muriel Wanderbauwhede (Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel).




For OTC's Young Artists, the experience of visiting international opera houses and studios, such as this one, is invaluable. You can find out more about our Young Associate Artists Programme here.

To SUPPORT our Young Associate Artists Programme financially, you can make an immediate donation here, or become a patron of OTC here, or contact dermot@opera.ie to speak in more detail about how you could become involved.

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

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 young 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
Friday, 12th November, 2010.

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 Wednesday 10th November, 2010.

Opera Theatre Company's Young Associate Artists are delighted to be part of this year's West Cork Chamber Music Festival.

Nicola Mulligan and Dean Power will perform a concert of opera favourites, including arias and duets by Handel, Mozart, Verdi and Puccini, accompanied by Mairéad Hurley on piano.

Monday June 28th, 2pm

St Brendan's Hall, Wolfe Tone Square, Bantry.

Tickets: €5 (booking fee may apply)

Box Office: 027 527 88 (Mon-Fri, 10-5)

Opera Theatre Company would like to express its sincere sympathy to Ann Murray, patron of our Young Associate Artists Programme, on the passing of her husband Philip Langridge: we send our condolences to all his family and friends.

Alongside his performance career, Philip Langridge was well-known for his masterclasses with young singers. Those of our young artists, who had the honour of working with him, join the company in this expression of sympathy.

Congratulations to YAA Alumnus, Anna Devin, on her acceptance on the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme at the Royal Opera House, London. Following a record number of applicants  to the Programme, Anna was one of just five singers who will join the Programme in September 2010.

YAA alumnus Claudia Boyle also deserves congratulations on her acceptance onto The Salzburg Festival's Young Singers Project, including covering the title role of Lulu in the main festival.

Another alumnus, John-Owen Miley-Read has been accepted onto the Masters course at the Royal Academy of Music, as have current Young Artists,  Ross Scanlon and Rachel Kelly.

Well done also to Dean Power, Tenor and current member of the Young Associate Artists Programme on being awarded 3rd prize in the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition. He was also awarded the prizes for Best Irish Singer, Best Male Singer and best performance of an aria from an opera or oratorio by Handel. Current Young Artists Gavan Ring, Rachel Kelly and Gabriela Istoc, and YAA alumnus Claudia Boyle, all reached the semi-final, a grand achievement.

Current YAAs Gabriela Istoc and Chloe Hinton have also been responsible for reflecting glory on OTC's unique programme for young artists: Gabriela won the second prize at Iris Adami Corradetti Competition in Padova, being also awarded "borsa di studio" for the best young singer; Chloe has been accepted onto the prestigious Glyndebourne Chorus for their 2010 season.

We are very proud of you all - well done!