Northern Ireland Opera 2024 Review: Eugene Onégin

https://operawire.com/northern-ireland-opera-2024-review-eugene-onegin/

(Photo: Neil Harrison) Since Cameron Menzies took on the position of artistic director of Northern Ireland Opera in 2020, the company has undergone something of a Renaissance. Although working on a slim budget, enough to fund only one main stage production each season, its imaginative and innovative approach has led to it staging a stream of high-quality short works, which {…}

News

English National Opera Announces New Chorus Director

https://operawire.com/english-national-opera-announces-new-chorus-director/

The English National Opera has announced that Matthew Quinn will be the new Chrous Director. In a statement via social media Quinn said, “Delighted to be able to finally announce that I’ll be joining the English National Opera from this season as their new Chorus Director! To take this position with a National company that I admire so much with {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Northern Ireland Opera 2023-24 Review: The Juniper Tree

https://operawire.com/northern-ireland-opera-2023-24-review-the-juniper-tree/

Fairytales have not been kind to stepmothers. Usually depicted as jealous, manipulative and vicious, with a predilection for maltreating, disinheriting and murdering their stepchildren, stepmothers are probably on par with another favorite hate figure of the genre, the wicked witch. A typical example is found in “The Juniper Tree,” taken from Grimms’ Fairytales, published in 1812. This stepmother is not {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Artistic Director & CEO of Northern Ireland Opera Cameron Menzies on Creating a Meaningful Program of Imaginative Works for the People

https://operawire.com/q-a-artistic-director-ceo-of-northern-ireland-opera-cameron-menzies-on-creating-a-meaningful-program-of-imaginative-works-for-the-people/

Anyone who has cast their eye on the state of opera in the Republic of Ireland over recent years will no doubt be aware of the renaissance that has taken place there. Yet, far fewer people will know of the recent progress that has been made north of the border, where Northern Ireland Opera has emerged from Covid with an {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Northern Ireland Opera 2023-24 Review: Sea Wrack

https://operawire.com/northern-ireland-opera-2023-24-review-sea-wrack/

(Photo: Neil Harrison Photography) Northern Ireland Opera is not flush with money. Fortunately, however, it has an imaginative artistic director in Cameron Menzies, whose innovative approach ensures that the company is able to provide a wide range of productions over the season, which it tours to locations across the province. Unable to afford more than a single fully staged opera {…}

News

Northern Ireland Opera to Present ‘Tosca’

https://operawire.com/northern-ireland-opera-to-present-tosca/

The Northern Ireland Opera has announced a new production of Puccini’s “Tosca,” directed by Artistic Director Cameron Menzies. The opera, which will open at Belfast’s Grand Opera House will be performed from Sept. 9 through 16, 2023. In a statement, Artistic Director Cameron Menzies said, “After the critical success and audience response to last year’s production of La Traviata, we {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Deirdre Masterson Talks About Her Career As Opera Singer, Teacher, Recording Artist, Voice Therapist & New CD

https://operawire.com/q-a-deirdre-masterson-talks-about-her-career-as-opera-singer-teacher-recording-artist-voice-therapist-new-cd/

(Photo: House of Photography – Mark Ivory) There can be few singers with such a diverse and impressive CV as that of the Irish soprano Deirdre Masterson. Having made her stage debut at the age of 12 in the role of the Spirit in Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” and followed the usual training programs, she seemed destined for a successful {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Jade Phoenix on her Experience with Wexford Festival Opera’s Factory & on her Debut as Giulietta

https://operawire.com/q-a-jade-phoenix-on-her-experience-with-wexford-festival-operas-factory-on-her-debut-as-giulietta/

One of the successes of this year’s Wexford Festival Opera was undoubtedly the Wexford Factory, a program of masterclasses introduced by the festival’s artistic director Rosetta Cucchi aimed at developing young talent. The participants are also given the opportunity to sing in an opera on the main stage during the afternoon, replacing the 60 to 90 minute opera short productions, {…}

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