Are you an Opera fan? You probably are, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this! Want to know what live performances will brighten up the dark gloomy winter nights? Well why not take a trip to the Gaiety Theatre and enjoy what is on offer during the 2008 Winter Season!
Find out more about the live performances that will take place here at this historic Gaiety Theatre through the Opera Ireland Production.
Opera Ireland - Who are they?
Officially the national opera company of Ireland, Opera Ireland hosts four main scale operas at the Gaiety Theatre each year, and performing opera teams may tour venues nationally and internationally at various times throughout the year as well.
The history of Opera Ireland can be traced back to the early 1940′s and the creation of the Dublin Grand Opera Society by opera aficionados in Ireland’s capital. This society organised opera events at the Gaiety Theatre from its early days, in conjunction with Radio Eireann and the Army School of Music, and thus cementing a long lasting relationship between the Society and Ireland’s National Broadcaster, which has endured to today.
In the 1960s the Opera Group played host to many European Opera companies, and heightened the public interest in opera. Resulting from this venture was the hosting of opera acts from Europe, the Italian Government provided public funding for many Italian Opera acts to perform at the Gaiety, and since then renowned artists such as Pavarotti and Domingo have performed at the venue.
The company went through a brand image change in the 1980′s and became an independent private company, with some investment by the Irish Arts Council. In 1996, the company was renamed as Opera Ireland and a new brand logo was created.
Find out more about Opera Ireland.
Winter Season 2008 Programme…
The main focus of this year’s Winter Season at Opera Ireland is hosting four opera classics at the Gaiety Theatre. You can enjoy the stunning performances of “Madama Butterfly”, “Don Giovanni”, “Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Mazeppa” throughout the Winter Season.
Each performance combines the passion, glory, drama and theatrics of Opera performances in a marvellous setting. Opera Ireland is committed to the selection of both Irish and International casts, all providing their own individual creativity to the performances.
Opera Ireland will also honour, as part of its 2008 Winter Season, the birth of the renowned 19th century composer Michael William Balfe. In his memory, together with the RTE Concert Orchestra, there will be an innovative concert performance of “Falstaff”, his wonderful Italian Style Opera.
Opera Ireland is committed to the showcasing of original Irish opera, and this season will show the performance of Fergus Johnston’s “The Earl of Kildare”.
And don’t forget the spectaular showing of the “Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD” which will be hosted at various cinemas in Dublin. This will be the premier showing of this international opera, which hails from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. A unique event not to be missed, and it’s the premier showing of cinematic opera in Ireland.
Experience the wonder of passionate live opera during the winter season - there is something for everyone whether you are a seasoned opera fan, or if you have just discovered the beauty of a live opera performance.
You’ll find the Gaiety Theatre at the top of Grafton Street on South Kings Street,opposite Saint Stephens Green Shopping Centre.
Dates and times for the 2008 Winter Season shows…
Madama Butterfly: The classic show by Puccini is performed on 15th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 22nd & 23rd November 2008, at 8pm in the Gaiety Theatre. This is a joint venture with the Opera Theatre of Lucca in Italy, and will be sung in classic Italian with English subtitles.
Midsummer Nights Dream: Shows on the 16th, 18th and 21st of November 2008 at 8pm. This is a production by Opera Ireland, and a marvellous adaption of Benjamin Britten’s comedy opera, which is based on Shakespeare’s play, and it will be given its first airing in Ireland by Opera Ireland.
Using a mostly Irish cast, the RTE Concert orchestra will provide suitable airing to this wonderful play, conducted by esteemed Scot conductor Stewart Robertson.
The Earl of Kildare: Written by Fergus Johnston, this is a wonderful new Irish opera. It will bring to life the story of Silken Thomas, the Earl of Kildare, who led an ill-fated uprising against King Henry VIII. This brand new opera performance was made possible by a joint arrangement with Opera Ireland and Living Opera, a company that’s aim is to promote the growth of new opera in Ireland.
Show times: Friday February 6th 2009, Mermaid Arts Cente, Main Street, Bray Co.Wicklow.
Don Giovanni: Originally created by Mozart, the Show Times are - 28 February, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, March 2009, at 8pm, at the Gaiety Theatre. This is a joint effort with Opera de Monte Carlo. This is widely predicted to be one of the most invigorating concert perfomances of the season, with a remarkable starring cast and the RTE Concert Orchestra.
Mazeppa: Created by Tchaikovsky, this will take place on March 1st, 3rd and 6th at the Gaiety. With a Russian and Irish cast, the RTE Orchestra will be conducted by remarkable Russian conductor Anissimov.
The Metropolitan Opera HD Screenings: Cinema showings initially at Dundrum, Swords and Dungarvan, the cinematic performances will be shown throughout Ireland from January 2009. Check Opera Ireland for more detail on operas shown and times.
So if you’re heading to The Gaiety Theatre to catch some of Opera Ireland’s impressive Winter 2008 performances, and need a bed for the night, why not visit our Dublin Accommodation page?
