INO 19/20 Season Brochure

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2019 2020 s e a s o n


Photo by pat redmond.

he tales of hoffmann september 2018 T Irish National Opera also delivered a remarkable modern staging of Offenbach’s complicated Contes d’Hoffmann... Irish National Opera has shown just how sophisticated its work has become since its launch, setting the bar high for future tours.” Opera magazine Claudia Boyle as Olympia, The Tales of Hoffmann, September 2018.


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Welcome

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company message

12 Least like the Other 16

This Hostel life

20 GRISELDA 24 Cinderella 28 Hansel and Gretel 32 Carmen 36 The Abduction from the Seraglio 40

Artistic partners

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artists 2019–20

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Friends Scheme

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INO studio

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ino performance diary

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INO team 01


Irish National Opera Founders Circle Anonymous Desmond Barry & John Redmill Valerie Beatty & Dennis Jennings Mark & Nicola Beddy Carina & Ali Ben Lmadani Mary Brennan Angie Brown Breffni & Jean Byrne Jennifer Caldwell Seán Caldwell & Richard Caldwell Caroline Classon, in memoriam David Warren, Gorey Audrey Conlon Gerardine Connolly Jackie Connolly Gabrielle Croke Sarah Daniel Maureen de Forge Doreen Delahunty & Michael Moriarty Joseph Denny Kate Donaghy Marcus Dowling Mareta & Conor Doyle Noel Doyle & Brigid McManus Michael Duggan Catherine & William Earley Jim & Moira Flavin Ian & Jean Flitcroft Anne Fogarty Maire & Maurice Foley Roy & Aisling Foster 02

Howard Gatiss Genesis Hugh & Mary Geoghegan Diarmuid Hegarty M Hely Hutchinson Gemma Hussey Kathy Hutton & David McGrath Nuala Johnson Susan Kiely Timothy King & Mary Canning J & N Kingston Kate & Ross Kingston Silvia & Jay Krehbiel Karlin Lillington & Chris Horn Stella Litchfield Jane Loughman Rev Bernárd Lynch & Billy Desmond Lyndon MacCann S.C. Phyllis Mac Namara Tony & Joan Manning R. John McBratney Ruth McCarthy, in memoriam Niall & Barbara McCarthy Petria McDonnell Jim McKiernan Jean Moorhead Sara Moorhead Joe & Mary Murphy Ann Nolan & Paul Burns F.X. & Pat O’Brien James & Sylvia O’Connor

John & Viola O’Connor Joseph O’Dea Dr J R O’Donnell Deirdre O’Donovan & Daniel Collins Diarmuid O’Dwyer Patricia O’Hara Annmaree O’Keefe & Chris Greene Carmel & Denis O’Sullivan Líosa O’Sullivan & Mandy Fogarty Hilary Pratt Sue Price Landmark Productions Riverdream Productions Nik Quaife & Emerson Bruns Margaret Quigley Patricia Reilly Dr Frances Ruane Catherine Santoro Dermot & Sue Scott Yvonne Shields Fergus Sheil Sr Gaby Smyth Matthew Patrick Smyth Bruce Stanley Sara Stewart The Wagner Society of Ireland Julian & Beryl Stracey Michael Wall & Simon Nugent Brian Walsh & Barry Doocey Judy Woodworth


principal funder

co-producers & partners

partner orchestras

additional support

Accommodation Partner

Irish National Opera is a member of Theatre Forum, Opera Europa and Fedora.

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Photo by pat redmond.

I n building new audiences for opera with its adventurous spirit, there is a sense that INO is achieving something special right now.” Journal of music

Madama Butterfly March 2019 “ [Celine] Byrne sings the title role superbly... Nothing is wasted in [Ben] Barnes’s economical production, and nothing distracts... This clean, richly-coloured (and beautifully-costumed) performance is a triumph.” GoldenPlec

“ a spectacular triumph” Bachtrack

“ Madama Butterfly’s set and costumes look simply divine and its music and singing are nothing short of stunning... sumptuously rich production.” The Arts Desk


Celine Byrne as Cio-Cio-San, Madama Butterfly, March 2019.


AT THE CUTTING EDGE

Fergus Sheil Artistic director

The year ahead is a hugely exciting one for Irish National Opera. We open with the world premiere of a new opera created by Brian Irvine and directed by Netia Jones, Least like the Other, at the Galway International Arts Festival in July. This is a searing exploration of the still little-known and tragic life of Rosemary Kennedy, sister of JFK, and the culmination of detailed research and planning. Mezzosoprano Naomi Louisa O’Connell takes on the single singing role in what will be a terrific tour-de-force. We follow this with a second world premiere, rescheduled to September from June. This Hostel Life is an installation opera by Evangelia Rigaki and Melatu Uche Okorie, and will be presented in the atmospheric crypt of Dublin’s Christ Church Cathedral. In October we realise a dream of mine by presenting the first ever Vivaldi opera production in Ireland – the 1735 opera, Griselda, one of 20 surviving of the 94 operas Vivaldi claims to have written. I fell in love with Vivaldi as a teenager, playing many of his orchestral works on the violin and viola. Later I discovered that the vocal parts in his operas are as virtuosic and outlandish as his violin writing in The Four Seasons. When you hear Griselda you’ll encounter singers being pushed to the very edge of what the human voice can achieve. Our November opera is Rossini’s Cinderella/La Cenerentola at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with Tara Erraught in the title role. Tara

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is one of the world’s leading Rossini singers, and we are offering Irish opera-lovers the chance to hear her as Cenerentola in Dublin before she sings the role early next year at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. It is a perfect role for her. She has a phenomenally vivid stage presence, and she throws off Rossini’s gymnastic challenges as though it’s the easiest thing in the world. February brings INO’s first collaborations with Theatre Lovett and the Abbey Theatre. We present Engelbert Humperdinck’s muchloved Hansel and Gretel in a touring version that opens in the Abbey and then travels nationwide. We follow this with probably the best-known opera of them all, Bizet’s Carmen, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Our ravishing, large-scale presentation is a coproduction with Opera Philadelphia and Seattle Opera and brings together two of Ireland’s finest singers, Paula Murrihy in the title role (returning to us after last year’s triumph as Judith in Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle), and Celine Byrne as Micaëla (returning after her hugely-acclaimed Madama Butterfly in March). We end with another personal favourite of mine, Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio. The Emperor Joseph II is reputed to have told Mozart that the opera had “too many notes”. But I could never agree with that. For me, this opera includes Mozart’s best aria bar none – Martern aller Arten. I can’t wait to hear the subtle, supple Claudia Boyle’s interaction with the flute, oboe, violin and cello solos from members of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. In the life cycle of a national opera company, Irish National Opera is still just out of the starting blocks – still in nappies, hopefully still cute and adorable, and with the troublesome teenage years safely in the distance by more than a decade. Yet, in just eighteen months, we have produced ten different operas, eight of them 07


Photo by pat redmond.

he marriage of Figaro april 2018 T A great start for INO.” The Sunday Times “ Setting high standards for Irish opera” The Irish Times “ an evening full of delights” The Irish Examiner Jonathan Lemalu as Figaro, Tara Erraught as Susanna, The Marriage of Figaro, April 2018.


new productions, with over 60 performances in 21 venues around Ireland. We have showcased an unprecedented array of operatic talent – much of it Irish – and have taken our work abroad, to London and Amsterdam. We have broadcast and webcast our productions, and have issued two CD recordings and developed a new Opera Studio to foster emerging operatic talent. When we set out with the mission of showcasing Irish opera stars we knew that most people would be astonished at the range of talent available to us. Our roster of Irish singers to date has been impressive: Claudia Boyle, Orla Boylan, Celine Byrne, Sharon Carty, Brendan Collins, Rachel Croash, Doreen Curran, Jennifer Davis, Anna Devin, Imelda Drumm, Tara Erraught, Máire Flavin, Andrew Gavin, Daire Halpin, Raphaela Mangan, Ben McAteer, Aoife Miskelly, John Molloy, Eamonn Mulhall, Suzanne Murphy, Paula Murrihy, Emma Nash, Gemma Ní Bhriain, Amy Ní Fhearraigh, Niamh O’Sullivan, Sarah Power, Sarah Richmond, Gavan Ring and Kim Sheehan – with more singers having featured in smaller roles. But we have not run out of artists. Our new season brings yet more notable Irish singers, including Carolyn Dobbin, Alan Ewing, Emma Morwood, Miriam Murphy, Naomi Louisa O’Connell, Sinead O’Kelly and Dean Power, as well as welcoming back several other INO stars. These Irish singers have graced major stages around the world: Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna State Opera and New York’s Met among them. Wherever your own operatic interests lie, whether it’s in new work, baroque operas, or in long-established favourites, there’s something special for you to enjoy in the season ahead. I look forward to welcoming you. Fergus Sheil Artistic director

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OPERA AND THE APPRENTICE We are thrilled to unveil our 2019–20 season. From a gem by Vivaldi to a new contemporary work that explores the fraught life of Rosemary Kennedy, our programme encompasses the full spectrum of operatic expression. These are exciting times for opera in Ireland and we are proud of what we have achieved since the launch of Irish National Opera in January 2018. Diego Fasciati Executive Director

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We have presented our productions far and wide around Ireland as well as in London and Amsterdam. In addition, we have appeared in the Cahersiveen Festival of Music & the Arts, Limerick Literary Festival, Birr Festival of Music, Carlow Arts Festival, Drogheda Classical Music series and the National Concert Hall. We also presented the members of our INO Studio in The Deadly World of Opera, a free one-hour performance designed for audiences new to opera. This was seen in community and arts centres in Inchicore, East Wall, Clontarf, Ballymun and Temple Bar as part of the MusicTown festival. Our acclaimed productions of Madama Butterfly and Orfeo ed Euridice can be viewed online on the RTÉ Player and operavision.eu, respectively. The wide reach is a key part of our holistic approach to fulfilling the remit of a national opera company. We strive to reach everyone who wants to experience opera with large-scale productions, touring productions, concerts and other operatic interventions throughout the country.


Our core focus, of course, is and remains the presentation of full-scale productions, and we are heartened that you, our audience, are engaging with us in such high numbers. We will continue our endeavours to deepen and broaden the appreciation of opera in Ireland and to increase the number of opera fans, lovers and aficionados. Our work would not be possible without the support of the The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and we thank them for their belief and investment in Irish opera. The artistic quality and reach of our productions are testament to the value for money we deliver. We are also grateful to the Deparment of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for funding the Arts Council and to the Government for committing to increasing funding for the arts. That is good news for everyone. Producing opera is the ultimate test of team work. I often think that anyone working in opera could easily win The Apprentice. We work with large teams, often under pressure and to stringent deadlines. Curtain-up waits for no one. Long-term planning is essential in the world of opera. Singers and creative teams tend to have complex schedules. But sometimes unforeseeable events necessitate last-minute changes and adjustments. These test the mettle, and nerves, of a company. We are fortunate to be working with a number of excellent, able and dedicated teams: our core team of 10 people at INO headquarters; our Board of Directors; our stage management and technical teams; and an incredible roster of singers, orchestral musicians and creative artists. Our 2019–20 season is ambitious and bold and I can’t wait to experience these productions with you. I am particularly looking forward to Griselda, the first ever fully staged Vivaldi opera in Ireland. If you love opera and want to play a part in our enterprise, you will be well rewarded by joining our Friends & Patrons scheme. We will be forever grateful to our Founder Members and to everyone who continues to support us, or who supports us for the first time this year. Your contributions and commitment are paramount to our success. Thank you one and all for helping us to grow our operatic family and expand the reach of our work. Diego Fasciati Executive Director

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IMAGE: Rosemary Kennedy.


Created by Brian Irvine & Netia Jones

LEAST LIKE THE OTHER

Searching for Rosemary Kennedy

2019, world premiere Composed by Brian Irvine Directed by Netia Jones Sung in english with English surtitles

“ Some of the most exhilarating and imaginative music you’ll ever hope to hear...musical play in the highest sense: exuberant, spontaneous and irresistibly alive.” Washington Post

“ Northern Ireland’s most colourful and charismatic composer” The Belfast Telegraph

In association with Galway international arts festival

#INOKennedy

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Brian Irvine

An explosive and thought-provoking work of experimental music theatre. It traces events in the life of Rosemary, eldest daughter of Joe and Rose Kennedy, sister of JFK, using heavily redacted materials from the archives, and only recently pieced together by biographers and academics. The events in Rosemary’s difficult life leading up to her disastrous lobotomy at the age of 23 by the “kings of lobotomy,” Walter Freeman and James Watts, create an exploration of definitions of intelligence, expectations of gender, medical showmanship, patriarchy, the impact of the media and the demands of this extraordinary family. Rosemary’s tragic life constitutes a portrait of America in the 1940s and 1950s. It is a picture that is as relevant today as it was then.

“ The video artist and director Netia Jones’s staging... a small miracle of perfection” The Times

“ O’Connell has a mezzo that, in full Kammersängerin cry, can sound a bit like, well, Kathleen Ferrier, actually... Heavy gold, deep and room-filling” Parterre Box

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LEAST LIKE THE OTHER

CAST Mezzo-soprano Actor Actor

PERFORMANCES Naomi Louisa O’Connell Stephanie Dufresne Ronan Leahy

Creative team Composer Brian Irvine Conductor Fergus Sheil Director/Designer/Video Designer Netia Jones Lighting Designer Sinéad Wallace Sound Designer David Sheppard

Monday 15 July 2019 Tuesday 16 July 2019 Thursday 18 July 2019 Friday 19 July 2019 Saturday 20 July 2019 Galway Black Box Theatre Time: 7pm Tickets: €40/€30 giaf.ie 091–566 577 Tuesday 16 July 2019 Post-show talk with the company Backstage at the Festival

Irish National Opera Orchestra

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Evangelia Rigaki & Melatu Uche Okorie

This Hostel Life 2019, world premiere

“ Direct provision is like being in an abusive relationship.” “ I have called on every god. I have knocked on every door. I will search more forests and swim across more rivers. I will even try the strangers’ religion if it will bring back my sons.” “ He would wave and smile, and you would wave and smile back, until the day he told you he would give you 100 Euro if you slept with him.”

#INOThisHostelLife

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Evangelia Rigaki & Melatu Uche Okorie

Evangelia Rigaki’s new installation opera is based on stories written by Melatu Uche Okorie while she was living direct provision. As audiences descend into the crypt of Christ Church Cathedral, they will be submerged into the overlapping sounds and messages of scenarios presented by a chorus and four pairings of singer and instrumentalist. By moving between the stories being played out simultaneously in the crypt, listeners will make their own sense of a troubling world that is known only to immigrants. “ Melatu Uche Okorie has important things to say – and she does it quite brilliantly. Her language is arresting and inventive, and very entertaining.” Writer Roddy Doyle

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this hostel life

CAST Soprano Soprano Tenor Bass-baritone

PERFORMANCES Amy Ní Fhearraigh Rachel Croash Andrew Gavin Robert McAllister

Musicians Parabis Ensemble Flute Clarinet Cello Percussion

Thursday 26 September 2019 Saturday 28 September 2019 Dublin The Crypt Christ Church Cathedral Event: 8–10pm Audience can arrive and leave at any stage within these times. Tickets: €15/€10 eventbrite.ie

William Dowdall Fintan Sutton Martin Johnson Richard O’Donnell

CHORUS New Dublin Voices Conductor

Bernie Sherlock

Creative team Director Designer

Caitriona McLaughlin Sarah Jane Shiels

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Photo by Kip Carroll.


ANTONIO VIVALDI

GRISELDA Sung in Italian with English surtitles

“ A shocking story of a wilful king who rejects his low-born wife in an act of political manoeuvering, Griselda is a musically rich and psychologically astute work” New York Times

“ Vivaldi, now as ever, rocks.” The Guardian

“ Griselda is one of Vivaldi’s greatest masterpieces: feel-good music that bursts with Italianate primary colours...it is the touching, heart-on-sleeve pathos of some of the slow arias which will most surprise listeners new to this music.” Conductor Peter Whelan

with THE IRISH BAROQUE Orchestra

#INOGriselda

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ANTONIO VIVALDI

High jinks in high places from the CAST master of The Four Seasons. First Griselda Katie Bray time in Ireland. An opera by Vivaldi. Gualtiero Jorge Navarro Colorado Griselda. The complications of royal Costanza Emma Morwood Ottone Sinéad O’Kelly marriage. A commoner become Roberto Russell Harcourt Queen. A King obsessed with testing Corrado Raphaela Mangan her virtue. The brilliance of Venice’s most famous composer brought to Creative team the opera stage. Katie Bray “a commanding stage presence as well as an ever-flexible singer” Opera magazine

Jorge Navarro Colorado “a light, flexible and remarkably warm tenor.” Bachtrack

Raphaela Mangan “She appears to be comfortable in each range of her register, and navigates the weaving lines of this Baroque collection flawlessly.” Bachtrack

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Conductor Director Set & Costume Designer Lighting Designer Video Designer

Peter Whelan Tom Creed

Katie Davenport Sinéad McKenna Jack Phelan

Irish Baroque Orchestra


GRISELDA

PERFORMANCES Saturday 12 October 2019 Galway Town Hall Theatre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330 tht.ie 091–569 777 Tuesday 15 October 2019 Letterkenny An Grianán Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 booking fee 31 angrianan.com 074–912 0777 Thursday 17 October 2019 Sligo Hawk’s Well Theatre Time: 8pm Tickets:330/327 hawkswell.com 071–916 1518

Thursday 24 October 2019 Limerick Lime Tree Theatre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 limetreetheatre.ie 061–953 400 Saturday 26 October 2019 Sunday 27 October 2019 Dún Laoghaire Pavilion Theatre Time: 7.30pm Tickets: 338/335 paviliontheatre.ie 01–231 2929

Pre-Opera Talks One hour before performance Pre-booking essential

Saturday 19 October 2019 Navan Solstice Arts Centre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 solsticeartscentre.ie 046–909 2300 Tuesday 22 October 2019 Kilkenny Watergate Theatre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 watergatetheatre.com 056–776 1674

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Photo by shane McCarthy.


Gioachino rossini

cinderella LA CENERENTOLA Sung in Italian with English surtitles

“ a miracle of perfection” Conductor Riccardo Chailly

“ Rossini’s musical imagination stops at nothing.” Conductor Mark Elder

“ I have yet to find a weak female character in Rossini. Cenerentola never wavers from her ideal.” Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato

In partnership with Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

#INOCinderella

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Gioachino rossini

“It’s not fair!” The notion of justice is of paramount importance to children, and key to the appeal of the Cinderella story. But whatever your favourite version, you will find something uniquely dark, yet sparkling and touchingly redemptive in Rossini’s La Cenerentola. This production unfolds from the very pages of books and celebrates the idea of literature, of fantasy, of escapism, and most importantly of Goodness Triumphant. The age-old fairytale resonates as much today as it did in times gone by.

Tara Erraught “She conjured effortless innocence with a full, round timbre that she projected spinning round the hall.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Andrew Owens “…a secure, high Rossini tenor – wow! – such tenors are in demand.” Der Neue Merker

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cinderella

CAST La Cenerentola Ramiro Dandini Don Magnifico Alidoro Clorinda Tsibi

PERFORMANCES Tara Erraught Andrew Owens Riccardo Novaro Graeme Danby David Oštrek Rachel Croash Niamh O’Sullivan

Creative team Conductor Fergus Sheil Director Orpha Phelan Set & Costume Designer Nicky Shaw Lighting Designer Matt Haskins

Sunday 10 November 2019 Time: 6pm Tuesday 12 November 2019 Time: 7.30pm Thursday 14 November 2019 Time: 7.30pm Saturday 16 November 2019 Time: 7.30pm Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Tickets: 315, 316, 335, 360, 375, 395 bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 0818–719 377

Irish National Opera Chorus Irish National Opera Orchestra

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Photo by ros kavanagh.


ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK

HANSEL and GRETEL Sung in English with English surtitles

“ it’s the first work that has impressed me for a very long time.” Composer Richard Strauss

“ one of the sweetest yet most lushly captivating scores in the entire operatic repertory” New York Times

co-production with Theatre Lovett and the Abbey THEatre

#INOHansel

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ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK

One of the greatest operas about CAST children. Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel is full of music that is sweet and Hansel Raphaela Mangan Gretel Amy Ní Fhearraigh beguiling, and it combines childlike Mother Miriam Murphy simplicity with heart aching beauty. He Father Ben McAteer Witch Carolyn Dobbin wanted a plot that “was not made up Sandman & Dew Fairy Emma Nash of murders, brutal deaths, operettalike nonsense, or sugar-sweet fairy Creative team tales.” Do not be fooled. This is Conductor Richard Peirson a story of greed and starvation, Directors Muireann Ahern mouth-wateringly sugar-coated. Louis Lovett Trouble at home. Two hungry children lost in a haunted forest. The lure of a Gingerbread House. The frightening hocus pocus of the predatory Witch. And the smarts of the children who triumph in the end. All wrapped up in the delicious sound world of Engelbert Humperdinck’s operatic masterpiece.

Miriam Murphy “a voice so large, so effortless seeming, so distinctive that once she opens her mouth it’s as if you’re pinned to your seat” The Irish Times Amy Ní Fhearraigh “A natural stage performer, gifted with a fine soprano voice…” GoldenPlec 30

Set & Costume Designer Jamie Vartan Lighting Designer Sarah-Jane Shiels Video Designer Jack Phelan

Irish National Opera Ensemble


HANSEL & GRETEL

PERFORMANCES Saturday 8 February 2020 Monday 10 February 2020 Tuesday 11 February 2020 Thursday 13 February 2020 Friday 14 February 2020 Saturday 15 February 2020 Dublin Abbey Theatre Time: 7.30pm Tickets: 313–345 On Sale August 2019 abbeytheatre.ie 01–878 7222 Tuesday 18 February 2020 Navan Solstice Arts Centre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 solsticeartscentre.ie 046–909 2300 Thursday 20 February 2020 Kilkenny Watergate Theatre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 watergatetheatre.com 056–776 1674 Saturday 22 February 2020 Wexford National Opera House Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 nationaloperahouse.ie 053–912 2144

Tuesday 25 February 2020 Cork The Everyman Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 everymancork.com 021–450 1673 Thursday 27 February 2020 Tralee Siamsa Tíre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 siamsatire.com 066–712 3055 Saturday 29 February 2020 Limerick Lime Tree Theatre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 limetreetheatre.ie 061–953 400 Tuesday 3 March 2020 Galway Town Hall Theatre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 tht.ie 091–569 777 Thursday 5 March 2020 Longford Backstage Theatre Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 www.backstage.ie 043–334 7888 Saturday 7 March 2020 Letterkenny An Grianán Time: 8pm Tickets: 330/327 angrianan.com 074–912 0777

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Photo by Kip carroll.


GEORGES BIZET

CARMEN Sung in french with English surtitles

“ Here at last for a change is someone with ideas, thank God!” Composer Richard Wagner

“ a masterpiece in the full meaning of the word” Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

“ Bizet’s music seems to me perfect. It comes forward lightly, gracefully, stylishly. It is lovable, it does not sweat.” Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche

CO-PRODUCTION WITH OPERA PHILADELPHIA AND SEATTLE OPERA In partnership with Bord Gáis Energy Theatre AND RTÉ concert orchestra

#INOCarmen

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GEORGES BIZET

Opera’s great, independent, sexual woman, the gypsy Carmen. Her friends and enemies from a cigarette factory. Her lovers, high and low. A naive corporal and the good girl from home. A handsome bullfighter. Smugglers. Jealousy, and a fatal struggle. Carmen, the most popular French opera, with some of the most alluring arias ever, has it all. An upright soldier. On duty far from home. The femme fatale from the wrong side of the tracks. Love at first sight. A walk on the wild side. Criminality, a handsome rival, and a breaking point that leads to tragedy in the scorching Spanish sun. The colourful arias and choruses of Bizet’s Carmen tell it all with irresistible, unforgettable musical panache.

Paula Murrihy “Her agile performance left nothing to be desired. She presented an exceptional theatrical interpretation of Carmen” Maintal Tagesanzeiger

Celine Byrne “simply extraordinary in range, depth, and texture.” The Arts Review

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carmen

CAST Carmen Don José Escamillo Micaëla Zuniga Moralès Frasquita Mercédès Remendado Dancaïre

PERFORMANCES Paula Murrihy Dinyar Vania Milan Siljanov Celine Byrne Alan Ewing Gyula Nagy Rachel Croash Niamh O’Sullivan Eamonn Mulhall Brendan Collins

Sunday 22 March 2020 Time: 6pm Tuesday 24 March 2020 Time: 7.30pm Thursday 26 March 2020 Time: 7.30pm Saturday 28 March 2020 Time: 7.30pm

Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Tickets: 315, 316, 335, 360, 375, 395 bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 0818–719 377

Creative team Conductor Kenneth Montgomery Director Paul Curran Set & Costume Designer Gary McCann Lighting Designer Paul Hackenmueller Irish National Opera Chorus RTÉ Concert Orchestra

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Photo by kip carroll.


WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL Sung in German with English surtitles

“ too many notes” Emperor Joseph II

“ Die Entführung knocked everything else sideways” Writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In partnership with irish chamber orchestra

#INOSeraglio

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WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

People trafficking across the seas is nothing new. And sex has long been part of its matrix. Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio also deals with conflicts between nationalities and cultures with the lightest and most sophisticated of touches. And the work ends with the surprise gesture of someone reprieving an enemy through an unexpected act of clemency. Mozart’s exotically colourful score includes some of his most brilliant, extreme and virtuosic arias. “ Claudia Boyle brings a gripping sense of drama and a thrilling soprano radiance to the role of Leïla, the reluctant priestess.” What’s on Stage “ her poised and glittery soprano made light of the role’s demands, and she has a vivacious presence.” Opera magazine

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THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

CAST

PERFORMANCES

Konstanze Claudia Boyle Belmonte Dean Power Blonde Sarah Power Pedrillo Andrew Gavin Osmin Wojtek Gierlach

Friday 15 May 2020 Wexford National Opera House Time 8pm Tickets €15, €32, €36, €40, €48, €49, €80 nationaloperahouse.ie 053–912 2144

Creative team Conductor Peter Whelan Director Caitriona McLaughlin Set & Costume Designer Sarah Bacon Lighting Designer Sinéad Wallace Irish National Opera Chorus Irish Chamber Orchestra

Tuesday 19 May 2020 Wednesday 20 May 2020 Friday 22 May 2020 Saturday 23 May 2020 Dublin Gaiety Theatre Time 7.30pm Tickets €15, €30, €35, €50, €65, €85 gaietytheatre.ie 0818–719 388

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Claudia Boyle

Celine Byrne

Sharon Carty

Tara Erraught

Gavan Ring

Peter Whelan

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artistic partners One of the pillars of Irish National Opera’s success is the quality and range of Irish artists that we can call on – onstage, behind the scenes, in the rehearsal room and in the pit. We are delighted to have an especially close relationship with a number of our great performers who have joined our young company to share their time and expertise and, of course, their very special artistry. They are a group of outstanding opera practitioners and they embody many of characteristics that make the world of opera in Ireland so special today. They appear on major world stages, from the Met in New York to Covent Garden in London to the Salzburg Festival in Austria. Each of them has been balancing their international careers with performances at home in productions for Irish National Opera and will continue to do so in the years ahead. They are also acting as cultural ambassadors for the company both at home and abroad. They are additional pairs of eyes and ears for INO. They contribute to artistic planning. And several have already helped us foster new artistic talent in Ireland. They are key players who will help shape the achievements of the company as it grows in strength, reach and reputation.


Artists 2019–20 Muireann Ahern

Ronan Leahy

Richard Peirson

Sarah Bacon

Louis Lovett

Jack Phelan

Katie Bray

Raphaela Mangan

Orpha Phelan

Celine Byrne

Robert McAllister

Dean Power

Claudia Boyle

Ben McAteer

Sarah Power

Brendan Collins

Gary McCann

Evangelia Rigaki

Tom Creed

Sinéad McKenna

Nicky Shaw

Rachel Croash

Caitriona McLaughlin

Fergus Sheil

Paul Curran

Kenneth Montgomery

David Sheppard

Graeme Danby

Emma Morwood

Bernie Sherlock

Katie Davenport

Eamonn Mulhall

Sarah-Jane Shiels

Carolyn Dobbin

Miriam Murphy

Milan Siljanov

William Dowdall

Paula Murrihy

Fintan Sutton

Stephanie Dufresne

Gyula Nagy

Dinyar Vania Jamie Vartan

Tara Erraught

Emma Nash

Alan Ewing

Jorge Navarro Colorado

Sinéad Wallace

Andrew Gavin

Amy Ní Fhearraigh

Peter Whelan

Wojtek Gierlach

Riccardo Novaro

Sinead Hayes

Richard O’Donnell

Paul Hackenmueller

Sinéad O’Kelly

Russell Harcourt

Niamh O’Sullivan

Matt Haskins

Naomi Louisa O’Connell

Brian Irvine

David Ostrek

Martin Johnson

Melatu Uche Okorie

Netia Jones

Andrew Owens

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Photo by pat redmond.


Bluebeard’s Castle October 2018 This was a searing, dramatic staging which raised the company’s status in no uncertain manner... Paula Murrihy and Joshua Bloom delivered stunning interpretations of the protagonists. The director Enda Walsh created a nail-biting expressionist drama... it was a marvellous coup de théâtre, leaving us to stagger out into the night in a state of shock.” Opera magazine

Paula Murrihy as Judith, Joshua Bloom as Bluebeard, Bluebeard’s Castle, Dublin Theatre Festival, October 2018.


join us Show us your passion for opera Opera has a unique power to move and inspire. Irish National Opera’s mission is to give everyone in Ireland the opportunity to experience this at first hand. Ireland’s national opera company presents the best of opera at affordable prices in towns and cities around Ireland and flies the flag for Irish talent through appearances overseas. We select and showcase the cream of Irish opera talent from a growing pool of nationally and internationally acclaimed singers, composers, directors, designers and choreographers. And we team them up with leading colleagues from all over the world. We presented eight productions across 14 venues at home and abroad in 2018, our inaugural year. We reached thousands of people through our live performance and a multiple of that number through radio broadcasts, web streaming, CDs and downloads. But we want to do more. Your support is vital to our mission of bringing the full spectrum of operatic experience to people of all ages right across the country. Our Friends and Patrons receive invitations to exclusive behind-the-scenes events, including backstage tours, masterclasses with world-renowned singers, INO Studio performances and artists’ receptions. Your support will ensure that Irish opera can thrive for generations to come. Contact Sarah Freeman Head of Corporate Communications & Development E: sarah.freeman@irishnationalopera.ie T: 01–679 4962


Irish National Opera Friends & Patrons 2019 INO PATRONS

INO SUPPORTERS

Anonymous Catherine & William Earley Silvia & Jay Krehbiel Dr J R O’Donnell

Noel Drumgoole Hugh & Mary Geoghegan Catherine & Kurt Kullmann Petria McDonnell Brendan Meade Jean Moorhead Joseph Musgrave F.X. & Pat O’Brien Annmaree O’Keeffe & Chris Greene James Pike Gerard & Marcia Wrixon

INO CHAMPIONS Jennifer Caldwell Anne Fogarty Maire & Maurice Foley Howard Gatiss Genesis M Hely Hutchinson Timothy King & Mary Canning Karlin Lillington & Chris Horn Stella Litchfield Stephen Loughman Tony & Joan Manning R. John McBratney Jim McKiernan Sara Moorhead Patricia O’Hara Dermot & Sue Scott Gaby Smyth & Company

INO FRIENDS Anonymous Big Image Systems Cróine Magan Viola O’Connor Líosa O’Sullivan C Phelan Hilary Pyle Philip Regan Sarah Rogers Breda Whelan Judy Woodworth

INO BENEFACTORS Maureen de Forge Roy & Aisling Foster Margaret McAlpine Ann Nolan & Paul Burns Joseph O’Dea Catherine Santoro

45


INO Studio INO Studio is Irish National Opera’s artist development programme. It is designed to nurture and develop Ireland’s most promising operatic talent, and its first eight members joined the studio in September 2018. The programme runs on an annual cycle and engages with the full range of artistic skills that make opera possible. Membership is open to singers, composers, conductors, directors, répétiteurs and librettists. Each September the studio takes on new artists who are looking to develop their careers. During their year at the studio, artists receive training and development sessions through masterclasses and coaching sessions from world-class artists. The 2018–19 studio included sessions with mezzo-soprano Tara Erruaght (who is also an INO Artistic Partner), soprano Orla Boylan, vocal coach Brenda Hurley, who is the director of the International Opera Studio in Zurich, and director Michael Barker-Caven. Studio members also work on some of INO’s main stage productions, undertaking smaller roles, singing in the chorus, and working as assistant director or conductor. Studio members have received performance opportunities in music festivals around the country, which will culminate in a gala concert at the National Concert Hall with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra on Friday 9 August 2019. INO Studio also runs projects that are tailor-made for its members. A Studio team created The Deadly World of Opera and presented it as part of MusicTown in April. The show unpacked some of the artform’s core concepts and practices and was aimed at engaging audiences new to opera. In September 2019, in the atmospheric surroundings of the Crypt in Christ Church Cathedral, INO will premiere studio composer Evangelia Rigaki’s new work, This Hostel Life, which will feature other studio members as performers. For further information or to apply for membership contact INO’s Studio and Outreach Producer, James Bingham at james@irishnationalopera.ie or call 01–679 4962 or 089–605 6893 46


INO Studio Opera Gala concert

PERFORMANCE

Hear the next generation of opera stars in this collaboration between Irish National Opera and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. These four young singers and conductor Sinead Hayes are all from the INO Studio, where they have just finished an intensive year-long programme of masterclasses and performances. Now they take centre stage with the RTÉCO at the NCH for a very special gala evening.

CAST

Friday 9 August, 2019 Dublin National Concert Hall Time 8pm Tickets €12 (Choir Balcony), €22, €27, €33, €39.50 nch.ie 01–417 0000

Soprano Soprano Tenor Bass-baritone Conductor

Rachel Croash Amy Ní Fhearraigh Andrew Gavin Robert McAllister Sinead Hayes

RTÉ Concert Orchestra

The programme is packed with arias and ensembles from great operas – Carmen, Manon, Roméo et Juliette, L’elisir d’amore, La Cenerentola and more. And to finish, the Dialogue of the Two Queens from Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda, where royal insults are exchanged from soprano to soprano through increasingly virtuosic coloratura lines – one of the greatest operatic stand-offs!

In Partnership with RTÉ Concert Orchestra

47


ino performance diary

48

OPERA

COMPOSER

DATES

VENUE

LEAST LIKE THE OTHER

Irvine & jones

Mon 15 July

Black Box Theatre

LEAST LIKE THE OTHER

Irvine & jones

Tues 16 July

Black Box Theatre

LEAST LIKE THE OTHER

Irvine & jones

Thur 18 July

Black Box Theatre

LEAST LIKE THE OTHER

Irvine & jones

Fri 19 July

Black Box Theatre

LEAST LIKE THE OTHER

Irvine & jones

Sat 20 July

Black Box Theatre

INO Studio Opera Gala

various

fri 9 august

national concert hall

This Hostel Life

Rigaki & Okorie

THUR 26 SEPTEMBER

Christ Church Cathedral

This Hostel Life

Rigaki & Okorie

SAT 28 SEPTEMBER

Christ Church Cathedral

GRISELDA

VIVALDI

Sat 12 October

Town Hall Theatre

GRISELDA

VIVALDI

Tue 15 October

An Grianán

GRISELDA

VIVALDI

Thur 17 October

Hawk’s Well Theatre

GRISELDA

VIVALDI

Sat 19 October

Solstice Arts Centre

GRISELDA

VIVALDI

Tue 22 October

Watergate Theatre

GRISELDA

VIVALDI

Thur 24 October

Lime Tree Theatre

GRISELDA

VIVALDI

Sat 26 October

PAVILION THEATRE


CITY/TOWN

TIME

TICKETS

BOOKING

Galway

7PM

€40/€30

giaf.ie 091–566 577

Galway

7PM

€40/€30

giaf.ie 091–566 577

Galway

7PM

€40/€30

giaf.ie 091–566 577

Galway

7PM

€40/€30

giaf.ie 091–566 577

Galway

7PM

€40/€30

giaf.ie 091–566 577

DUBLIN

8PM

€12/€22/€27/€33/€39.50

nch.ie 01–417 0000

DUBLIN

8–10PM

€15/€10

eventbrite.ie

DUBLIN

8–10PM

€15/€10

eventbrite.ie

Galway

8PM

€30

tht.ie 091–569 777

Letterkenny

8PM

€30/€27

angrianan.com 074–912 0777

Sligo

8PM

€30/€27

hawkswell.com 071–916 1518

Navan

8PM

€30/€27

solsticeartscentre.ie 046–909 2300

Kilkenny

8PM

€30/€27

watergatetheatre.com 056–776 1674

Limerick

8PM

€30/€27

limetreetheatre.ie 061–953 400

DÚN LAOGHAIRE

7.30PM

€38/€35

paviliontheatre.ie 01–231 2929

49


ino performance diary

50

oPERA

COMPOSER

DATES

VENUE

GRISELDA

VIVALDI

Sun 27 October

PAVILION THEATRE

cinderella

rossini

Sun 10 November

BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE

cinderella

rossini

Tue 12 November

BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE

cinderella

rossini

Thur 14 November

BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE

cinderella

rossini

Sat 16 November

BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

SAT 8 February

Abbey Theatre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

MON 10 February

Abbey Theatre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

TUE 11 February

Abbey Theatre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

THUR 13 February

Abbey Theatre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

FRI 14 February

Abbey Theatre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

SAT 15 February

Abbey Theatre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

Tue 18 February

Solstice Arts Centre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

Thur 20 February

Watergate Theatre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

Sat 22 February

National Opera House

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

Tue 25 February

The Everyman

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

Thur 27 February

Siamsa Tíre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

Sat 29 February

Lime Tree Theatre


CITY/TOWN

TIME

TICKETS

BOOKING

DÚN LAOGHAIRE

7.30PM

€38/€35

paviliontheatre.ie 01–231 2929

DUBLIN

6PM

€95/€75/€60/€35/€16/€15

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 01–677 7999

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€95/€75/€60/€35/€16/€15

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 01–677 7999

DUBLIN

7.30M

€95/€75/€60/€35/€16/€15

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 01–677 7999

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€95/€75/€60/€35/€16/€15

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 01–677 7999

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€45–€13

abbeytheatre.ie 01–878 7222

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€45–€13

abbeytheatre.ie 01–878 7222

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€45–€13

abbeytheatre.ie 01–878 7222

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€45–€13

abbeytheatre.ie 01–878 7222

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€45–€13

abbeytheatre.ie 01–878 7222

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€45–€13

abbeytheatre.ie 01–878 7222

Navan

8PM

€30/€27

solsticeartscentre.ie 046–909 2300

Kilkenny

8PM

€30/€27

watergatetheatre.com 056–776 1674

Wexford

8PM

€30/€27

nationaloperahouse.ie 053–912 2144

Cork

8PM

€30/€27

everymancork.com 021–450 1673

Tralee

8PM

€30/€27

siamsatire.com 066–712 3055

Limerick

8PM

€30/€27

limetreetheatre.ie 061–953 400

51


ino performance diary

52

oPERA

COMPOSER

DATES

VENUE

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

Tue 3 March

Town Hall Theatre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

Thur 5 March

Backstage Theatre

HANSEL and GRETEL

HUMPERDINCK

Sat 7 March

An Grianán

carmen

BIZET

Sun 22 March

BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE

carmen

BIZET

Tue 24 March

BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE

carmen

BIZET

Thur 26 March

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

carmen

BIZET

Sat 28 March

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

MOZART

Fri 15 May

National Opera House

THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

MOZART

Tue 19 May

Gaiety Theatre

THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

MOZART

Wed 20 May

Gaiety Theatre

THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

MOZART

Fri 22 May

Gaiety Theatre

THE ABDUCTION FROM THE SERAGLIO

MOZART

Sat 23 May

Gaiety Theatre


CITY/TOWN

TIME

TICKETS

BOOKING

Galway

8PM

€30/€27

tht.ie 091–569 777

Longford

8PM

€30/€27

www.backstage.ie 043–334 7888

Letterkenny

8PM

€30/€27

angrianan.com 074–912 0777

DUBLIN

6pm

€95/€75/€60/€35/€16/€15

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 0818–719 377

DUBLIN

7.30pm

€95/€75/€60/€35/€16/€15

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 0818–719 377

DUBLIN

7.30pm

€95/€75/€60/€35/€16/€15

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 0818–719 377

DUBLIN

7.30pm

€95/€75/€60/€35/€16/€15

bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 0818–719 377

Wexford

8PM

€80/€49/€48/€40 €36/€32/€15

nationaloperahouse.ie 053–912 2144

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€85/€65/€50/€35/€30/€15 gaietytheatre.ie 0818–719 388

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€85/€65/€50/€35/€30/€15 gaietytheatre.ie 0818–719 388

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€85/€65/€50/€35/€30/€15 gaietytheatre.ie 0818–719 388

DUBLIN

7.30PM

€85/€65/€50/€35/€30/€15 gaietytheatre.ie 0818–719 388

53


Photo by pat redmond.


AIDA November 2018 This understated production brings this opera closer to its audience more than most, and lingers long in the mind... Rounding off an ambitious opening year, Irish National Opera’s future looks to be in good hands.” GoldenPlec

“ This enthralling production of Aida was the icing on the cake for Irish National Opera.” Sunday Business Post


INO team

James Bingham Studio & Outreach Producer Sorcha Carroll Marketing Manager Diego Fasciati Executive Director Sarah Freeman Head of Corporate Communications & Development

Board of Directors Gaby Smyth (Chair) Jennifer Caldwell Tara Erraught Gary Joyce Stella Litchfield Sara Moorhead Joseph Murphy Ann Nolan Yvonne Shields Michael Wall

Sarah Halpin Digital Communications Manager Cate Kelliher Business & Finance Manager Claire Lowney Development & Marketing Assistant Muireann Ní Dhubhghaill Artistic Administrator

69 Dame Street Dublin 2 | Ireland T: 01–679 4962 E: info@irishnationalopera.ie irishnationalopera.ie

Gavin O’Sullivan Head of Production

@irishnationalopera

Fergus Sheil Artistic Director

@irishnatopera @irishnationalopera Company Reg No.: 601853 * all information correct at the time of going to print

56


Photo by pat redmond.

Sharon Carty as Orfeo, Sarah Power as Euridice, Orfeo ed Euridice, a co-production with United Fall, July 2018, February 2019.

Orfeo ed Euridice july 2018 Orfeo ed Euridice sees Irish National Opera succeeding beyond its own wild ambitions. An experience not to be missed.� The Arts Review


irishnationalopera.ie


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