A Conversation With Northern Ireland Opera Studio


“A conversation with David Corr, NI Opera Studio member and Festival of Voice finalist

David Corr, a baritone, is a current member of the Northern Ireland Opera Studio and has just been named as one of five finalists for our annual singing competition, The Festival of Voice taking place from 28-30 August in Belfast.  We thought it would be useful for younger singers, who might be thinking about a career in opera, or just starting out in theirs, to hear from someone who is a little further into their professional career. Over the next few weeks we’ll be posting several features from our NI Opera Studio members giving different insights into their experiences at this stage in their careers.”

Link to the entire conversation on the Northern Ireland Opera website is accessible here.


Die Fledermaus or The Bat

Friends – who’d have ‘em?

This was probably one of the less offensive thoughts to go through Falke’s mind when he woke up on a bench with a killer hangover. Dressed as a bat. His ‘good friend’ Eisenstein thought it would be hilarious to abandon him here after partying the night before, leaving him to face a very long walk of shame. It’s been a long time coming, but tonight’s the night for Falke to get his revenge, at the most glamorous party of the season. Where there’ll be champagne. Lots of champagne. What could possibly go wrong?

‘Die Fledermaus’, or ‘The Bat’, is the jewel in the crown of the real King of the Waltz: Johann Strauss. The tunes stay with you forever. The humour is wicked. The atmosphere indulgent. It is a farce about men taking liberties, women taking control, and the dangers of dressing up as a bat.

15 – 21 September 2019

Dates

  • Sunday 15th September, 18.00
  • Tuesday 17th September, 19.30
  • Thursday 19th September, 19.30
  • Saturday 21st September, 19.30

Venue

Grand Opera House, Belfast

Tickets

Trailer

Charity Gala Performance: Sunday 15 September 6pm

Die Fledermaus will open with a very special charity gala performance, where £10 from each premium ticket sale will be donated to our chosen charity for the event, the Welcome Organisation.

Grand Circle tickets will include admission to a champagne and supper post-show reception; a limited number of reception tickets will also be available for standard ticket holders to purchase via the box office.

Dress code for Gala Reception: Black Tie


The Chronic Identity Crisis of Pamplemousse

Pamplemousse the grapefruit is upset. And lonely.

His mouse neighbours aren’t very friendly unless he’s crying sweet juicy tears and what makes it worse is he can’t squeeze through their mousehole to try to get to know them. Will he ever find someone who likes him just as he is?

Join us for the heartening tale of Pamplemousse’s identity crisis, set against evocative and playful music by local composer Greg Caffrey. The opera will be performed by the young talents of the NI Opera Studio and the Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble.

Suitable for children 7+
Duration: 30 minutes

Free music and craft workshop for children and parents for 1 hour before each performance: please confirm with your chosen venue that you would like to attend.

School groups and teachers: contact us for extra resources at j.wiemers@niopera.com

16 – 22 June 2019

Tour Dates

  • Sunday 16th June, 3 p.m.
  • Brian Friel Theatre, Belfast
  • Price: £5 children, £7 adults
  • Book Online
  • Monday 17th June, 11 a.m.
  • Sean Hollywood Centre, Newry
  • Price: £5 children, £7 adults
  • Book Online
  • Tuesday 18th June, 11 a.m.
  • The Ardhowen, Enniskillen
  • Price: £5 children, £7 adults
  • Book Online

  • Wednesday 19th June, 11 a.m.
  • Strule Arts Centre, Omagh
  • Price: £5 children, £7 adults
  • Book Online
  • Friday 21st June, 11 a.m.
  • Market Place Theatre, Armagh
  • Price: £5 children, £7 adults
  • Book Online
  • Saturday 22nd June, 3 p.m.
  • The Playhouse, Derry/Londonderry
  • Price: £5 children, £7 adults
  • Book Online


Aida, Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin

I am looking forward to performing in another great Verdi Opera Aida in Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, in partnership with RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Irish National Opera playing Saturday 24th November, Tuesday 27th November, Thursday 29th November & Saturday 1st December 2018.

Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster Ireland.

*Sung in Italian with English surtitles**

The enslaved princess. Her love for one of her oppressors. Her father ready to wage war. A dilemma both personal and political. All set during a large-scale conflict between Ethiopia and the Egypt of the Pharaohs.

Aida is the grandest of grand operas, celebrated for its visual and vocal spectacle. At its heart it is also a story of moving private struggles. Aida, an Ethiopian princess enslaved in Egypt, is torn between her love for Radamès, Captain of the Egyptian Guard, and loyalty to her father, Amonasro. Her solution leads to betrayal and death.

Orla Boylan… she is operating at full throttle‚ sailing above the stave and glorying in her power.”  The Telegraph

“Gwyn Hughes Jones as Radamès sings superbly, in an all-conquering voice, with enough honey in it for any love song.”  The Guardian

“Orla Boylan… soared with fiery intensity.”  The Spectator


Rigoletto - Grand Opera House, Belfast

Rigoletto

Rigoletto opens in The Grand Opera House on the 30th September and I am thrilled to be on stage with the finest international opera singers. If you are ‘Up North’ the performances run from 30th September – 6th October.

About the event

On Sunday 30th September, TGOH, Belfast will celebrate the opening of #Rigoletto with a sparkling Charity Gala performance in support of #Inspire and the #NIHospice. The dress code is elegant and premium tickets will include admission to a post-show champagne and supper reception. Check out full details in this month’s Ulster Tatler.
Tickets available from The Grand Opera House, Belfast.

Behind the Scenes of NI Opera's Rigoletto

In Classical Connection with John Toal, John Toal chats to conductor Gareth Hancock, John Porter who plays Borsa, and director Walter Sutcliffe. You can listen to the whole interview on BBC Radio.

From the media.

David's song.

About the song David’s performing.

Testimonial about David's performance!

— Vedran Zagorac :-)

From the media.

Excerpts, images from the media covering the event.