Skip to main content

Welcome!

What's On!

September

'Follies' at The Grand Opera House, Belfast

September

Come and Sing some songs from Follies with NI Opera artists at the Grand Opera House

November

Morning Melodies - 'A Rose By Any Other Name'

Past Productions

Explore our past productions, from 2010 to 2024

Discover Opera

Discover

Discover Opera

Find out all about our recent production of 'Eugene Onégin' at the Grand Opera House, Belfast

Eugene Onégin

NI Opera Studio

The Juniper Tree

'The Juniper Tree' is based on a famous Grimm's fairytale, in which a jealous stepmother murders…

Main Stage

Tosca

Northern Ireland Opera returns in 2023 with Puccini’s ‘Tosca’, after our critically acclaimed and sold-out production…

New Work

Nobody/Somebody

'Nobody/Somebody' is an exciting and powerful new opera created by composer Neil Martin and playwright Fionnuala…

Musical

Into The Woods

BEST PRODUCTION, THE IRISH TIMES IRISH THEATRE AWARDS 2022 In a whirlwind quest to make their…

WHAT'S ON

WHAT'S ON

What's On

Check out our calendar guide to what's coming up in the next few months.

Summer Events 2025

Main Stage

Follies

Northern Ireland Opera’s next major production at the Grand Opera House is ‘Follies’, winner of 7…

August 2025

The 15th Glenarm Festival of Voice

The Glenarm Festival of Voice will take place from 22-24 August 2025. Now in its fifteenth…

Past Production

Cocktails and Cabaret

Introducing a unique event this summer in The Studio at the Grand Opera House... Enjoy a…

August 2025

From Old to New – Ulster Scots Song

Come and explore how Ulster Scots song has changed over time: from folk song evolving into…

WHAT WE DO

What We Do

WHAT WE DO

We are Northern Ireland's award-winning national opera company, an arts charity dedicated to the highest standards of opera performance, development of young talent and community outreach and education. Find out more about our productions since our foundation in 2010 via the link.

What We Do

Artist Development

Chorus Development Programme Our Chorus Development Programme launched in 2022, following open auditions to select local…

Past Productions

Outreach

Northern Ireland Opera bring innovative new productions of the highest artistic quality to the stage, reflecting…

The Glenarm Festival of Voice

The festival features public recitals and events, including three concerts in partnership with and broadcast by…

News

22nd July 2025

Four finalists selected for Northern Ireland Opera’s 15th Glenarm Festival of Voice, 22-24 August 2025

Four opera singers from across the island of Ireland will be taking part in an exciting live opera competition in front of a live audience and jury panel in Glenarm this summer…

View More
Four finalists selected for Northern Ireland Opera’s 15th Glenarm Festival of Voice, 22-24 August 2025
11th June 2025

Introducing five brilliant young talents from Northern Ireland who are joining our cast for ‘Follies’

Brigid Shine, Anna Violet, Reece McGowan, Chris Kane and Petra Wells will be performing as the 1941 versions of Sally, Phyllis, Buddy, Ben and Heidi in Northern Ireland Opera’s thrilling new production…

View More
Introducing five brilliant young talents from Northern Ireland who are joining our cast for ‘Follies’
5th June 2025

Opera Star Lesley Garrett CBE Debuts With Northern Ireland Opera in a New Production of ‘Follies’

Lesley Garrett CBE, one of the world’s most celebrated classical singers and acclaimed British soprano is announced today as the newest cast member to join Northern Ireland Opera’s historic revival of Stephen…

View More
Opera Star Lesley Garrett CBE Debuts With Northern Ireland Opera in a New Production of ‘Follies’
01
of
01

SUPPORT US

SUPPORT US

Support

Find out more about how you can help us create more opera and more opportunities for our artists in Northern Ireland. Become part of our story, whether as an individual, a sponsor, a corporate partner or by joining The Friends of Northern Ireland Opera.

More Details

Connect With Us

The magnificent Orchestra of Northern Ireland Opera is heard not seen during 'Follies', so here's a glimpse into the pit in The Grand Opera House, Belfast, during the show, where they are under the baton of Musical Director Greg Arrowsmith during a scene with Sally @annajanecasey13 and Ben @alasdair_harvey Concertmaster: Joanne Quigley McParland Violin 1: Clare Hadwen, Susanna Griffin Violin 2: Oliver Baily, Karen Sexton, Michael Alexander Viola: Ed Creedon, Róisín Ni Dhúill Cello: David Edmonds, David McCann Double Bass: Stéphane Petiet Reed 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet): Danielle Rogan Reed 2 (Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto Sax): Jarlath Mulholland Reed 3 (Oboe, Cor Anglais) Eleanor Tinlin Reed 4: (Bass Clarinet, Alto & Tenor Saxes): William Curran Reed 5 (Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxes: Kevin Lawless Horn: Liam Duffy Trumpets: William Palmer, Michael Hartin, George Sandford Trombones: Nathan Moore, Jon Clifford, Josh Cargill Timpani/Percussion: Ronan McKee Drumkit: Andrew Lavery Harp: Maria McNamee Piano/Celeste: Tristan Russcher Guitar: Ewan Cowley Thank you to these magnificent musicians. We look forward to performing again on Tuesday, Friday and twice on Saturday. Last few tickets available via the Grand Opera House. Find out all about the show via the linktree in our bio. @artscouncilni @cameronmenziesdirector #Follies #Orchestra #OrchestraPit #orchestralmusicians #conductor #musicaldirector #gregarrowsmith #frankmatchamtheatre #whatson #belfast #theatre #whatsoninbelfast #sallydurantplummer #benjaminstone Photo credit @neilharrisonphotography
Second post sharing a few of our production photos for 'Follies' which opened last night to standing ovations at the Grand Opera House, Belfast last night. We're so proud of our incredible cast, creatives, orchestra, technical teams and everyone who has worked on this show and we can't wait to get back on stage on Tuesday for the next performance. If you haven't booked yet, there are only four more opportunities to see 'Follies' this week, so don't miss out! Director @cameronmenziesdirector Musical Director Greg Arrowsmith Choreographer @jrooneydance Set Design @niallmckeeverdesign Costume @gillian.lennox01 Associate Director @eldridge.greg Lighting Design @jakewiltshireld Sound Design Andy Graham Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Design: @nualacampbell Orchestra Manager @maggiebarry17 Concertmaster Joanne Quigley McParland Repetiteur @frasierhickland Cast Sally Durant Plummer @annajanecasey13 Phyllis Rogers Stone @netsymac Buddy Plummer @markdugdale01 Benjamin Stone @alasdair_harvey Young Sally @brigidsunshine Young Phyllis @annaviolett.2 Young Buddy @reecemcg Young Ben @_chriskane Carlotta Campion @jacquelinedankworth Stella Deems @pippawinslow Hattie Walker @harding49 Solange La Fitte @stanners1970 Emily Whitman @christina.nelson.1088 Theodore Whitman @dickycrox Heidi Schiller: Lesley Garrett Young Heidi @petrawells_soprano Dimitri Weismann @martymaguire_jm Roscoe @darrenfranklin645 Dee Dee West @colettelennondougal Sandra Crane @mullan.orla Max Deems @thedancingsean_ Margie & Cover @marbebyrbe0211 Ensemble Young Solange @beckyy__anderson Young Stella @sophie.fleet Young Carlotta @chloehopcroft Young Hattie/Imaginary Sally @jo_johnston2301 Young Emily @anna_tennyson Mark D’Arcy, @mark_darcyuk Kevin @nic_cain Ciarán McCormack @ciaranmccormack_ Young Theodore @focarroll Jed Hoyle @jed.hoyle Stage Management @mackenzie3000 @lvwieland @_kerriein @deirbhile.nilorcain Operations Manager @mattbrad8 PR @fourthwallpr Photo Credit @neilharrisonphotography PR @fourthwallpr @artscouncilni @gohbelfast #Follies #Sondheim #Belfast #WhatsOn #theatre #whatsonthisweek #musicaltheatre @musicals #westend #broadwaymusicals
First glimpse (a second post coming too...) at a few of our production photos for 'Follies' which opened last night to standing ovations at the Grand Opera House, Belfast last night. We're so proud of our incredible cast, creatives, orchestra, technical teams and everyone who has worked on this show and we can't wait to get back on stage on Tuesday for the next performance. If you haven't booked yet, there are only four more opportunities to see 'Follies' this week, so don't miss out! Director @cameronmenziesdirector Musical Director Greg Arrowsmith Choreographer @jrooneydance Set Design @niallmckeeverdesign Costume @gillian.lennox01 Associate Director @eldridge.greg Lighting Design @jakewiltshireld Sound Design Andy Graham Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Design: @nualacampbell Orchestra Manager @maggiebarry17 Concertmaster Joanne Quigley McParland Repetiteur @frasierhickland Cast Sally Durant Plummer @annajanecasey13 Phyllis Rogers Stone @netsymac Buddy Plummer @markdugdale01 Benjamin Stone @alasdair_harvey Young Sally @brigidsunshine Young Phyllis @annaviolett.2 Young Buddy @reecemcg Young Ben @_chriskane Carlotta Campion @jacquelinedankworth Stella Deems @pippawinslow Hattie Walker @harding49 Solange La Fitte @stanners1970 Emily Whitman @christina.nelson.1088 Theodore Whitman @dickycrox Heidi Schiller: Lesley Garrett Young Heidi @petrawells_soprano Dimitri Weismann @martymaguire_jm Roscoe @darrenfranklin645 Dee Dee West @colettelennondougal Sandra Crane @mullan.orla Max Deems @thedancingsean_ Margie & Cover @marbebyrbe0211 Ensemble Young Solange @beckyy__anderson Young Stella @sophie.fleet Young Carlotta @chloehopcroft Young Hattie/Imaginary Sally @jo_johnston2301 Young Emily @anna_tennyson Mark D’Arcy, @mark_darcyuk Kevin @nic_cain Ciarán McCormack @ciaranmccormack_ Young Theodore @focarroll Jed Hoyle @jed.hoyle Stage Management @mackenzie3000 @lvwieland @_kerriein @deirbhile.nilorcain Operations Manager @mattbrad8 PR @fourthwallpr Photo Credit @neilharrisonphotography PR @fourthwallpr @artscouncilni @gohbelfast #Follies #Sondheim #Belfast #WhatsOn #theatre #whatsonthisweek #musicaltheatre @musicals #westend #broadwaymusicals
It's almost time to share 'Follies' with our audiences! We open tonight @gohbelfast and we cannot wait for you to see what our brilliant cast, creatives, orchestra and technical teams have been working so hard on. Toi Toi Toi Team Follies! Find out all about our cast and creatives and book your tickets via the linktree in the bio - not many remaining... don't miss this spectacular show. 'Ghost' Follies: @sophie.fleet and @beckyy__anderson Photo @neilharrisonphotography @cameronmenziesdirector @artscouncilni #Follies #StephenSondheim #Belfast #WhatsOn #OnThisWeek #Musical #MusicalTheatre #MusicTheatre #BelfastTheatre
This weekend we'll be performing two free pop-up events at the brilliant Belfast Maritime Festival. On Saturday at The SoundYard (behind the SSE Arena) vocalist @laura.shaww will be performing between 1.30 to 2.50pm with a selection of songs from cabaret, musicals and jazz. On Sunday at The SoundYard (behind the SSE Arena) soprano @marymccabesoprano will be performing favourite arias from 11am to 12.45pm We are delighted to be part of this wonderful @belfastcitycouncil event which will be showcasing a fabulous programme of live music, celebrating Belfast’s status as a UNESCO City of Music. Curated by distantskysw, over 60 of Northern Ireland’s leading musicians will be performing in outdoor venues across the Maritime Mile, including americana, jazz, opera, bluegrass, classical, indie and folk artists. Performances will take place at Donegall Quay, the AC Hotel, the SoundYard and Titanic Distillers from 11am to 6pm on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September – all admission free. @artscouncilni #SoundYard #maritimefestival #belfast #whatsoninbelfast #belfastevents #popupperformance #festival #weekend #whatson #opera #soprano #operapopup
On Thursday we're at @room2hometels on Queen Street, Belfast from 6.30 to 8pm for a fun and fascinating talk with Sondheim experts. Come and hear from Dr Richard Schoch @se1_richard and Stuart Pedlar with Follies Director @cameronmenziesdirector and the brilliant @annajanecasey13 our Sally in Follies who will be performing 'In Buddy's Eyes'. Join us for an hour or so to ask all your burning questions about Follies and Sondheim's wider work and enjoy a wonderful performance by one of the stars of the show. Expect a lively, thoughtful discussion about the music, lyrics, and legacy of one of musical theatre’s greatest voices, as well as a closer look at Follies itself and its rarely performed scale. Tickets are £10 - full details via the linktree in the bio. About the panel Dr Richard Schoch, author, including the recently published 'How Sondheim Can Change Your Life' and Professor of Drama at Queen’s University Belfast where he teaches musical theatre. Stuart Pedlar, West End Musical Director and long-time Sondheim collaborator Cameron Menzies, Artistic Director of Northern Ireland Opera and director of Follies With a performance of 'In Buddy's Eyes' by our 'Sally', Anna-Jane Casey, West End star who has appeared in the original casts of Children of Eden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Out of the Blue, and Grease. Anna-Jane has performed iconic roles in Starlight Express (Buffy, Dinah, and Pearl), West Side Story (Anita), and Chicago (Velma Kelly), among others with extensive stage, film and TV credits. @artscouncilni #thisweek #whatson #booknow #talk #q&a #musicaltheatre #musicalfans #musicals #sondheim #stephensondheim #follies #directortalk #preshowtalk #bookingnow #Thursdayevening #Belfast
Meet our brilliant ensemble - such very talented artists who are working incredibly hard in rehearsals and helping bring this amazing show to life. In 'Follies', there are two timelines: the 1971 reunion of the Weismann Follies who are returning for one last visit to the theatre where they worked before it is pulled down, and flashbacks to 1941 and the 'ghosts' of their past selves. Our ensemble are partnered with our 1971 artists, playing their past roles in this captivating, beautiful, multi-layered masterpiece - see some of them in the second image with their 1971 counterparts. You can find out all about every member of the cast by clicking on their headshots on our event page via the linktree in the bio. Ensemble: Becky Anderson @beckyy__anderson (Young Solange), Sophie Fleet @sophie.fleet (Young Stella), Chloe Hopcroft @chloehopcroft (Young Carlotta), Johanna Johnston @jo_johnston2301 (Young Hattie), Anna Tennyson @anna_tennyson (Young Emily), Mark D’Arcy @mark_darcyuk, Nic Cain @nic_cain (Kevin), Jed Hoyle @jed.hoyle , Ciarán McCormack @ciaranmccormack_, Fionan O’Carroll @focarroll (Young Theodore), Sean O'Neill @thedancingsean_ (Max Deems). Colette Dougal @colettelennondougal (Dee Dee West), Orla Mullan @mullan.orla (Sandra Crane) Heidi/Stella cover Maeve Byrne @maevebyrne0211 Book your tickets via the linktree in the bio. There are six shows from 13-20 September - matinee and evening performances available. Photo credit: @neilharrisonphotography @artscouncilni @gohbelfast #follies #ensemble #talent #performers #actors #dancers #triplethreat #musical #belfast #whatson #comingupsoon #booknow #sondheim #broadwaybaby #imstillhere #whosthatwoman #musicals #september
Two fantastic 'Follies' events booking now! First, on September 4th we have an 'In Conversation' event at @room2hometels Belfast on Queen Street from 6.30 to 8pm with Sondheim experts Dr Richard Schoch @se1_richard , Stuart Pedlar and 'Follies' Director @cameronmenziesdirector. Ask all your questions about 'Follies' and Sondheim's wider work and enjoy some live music from members of the cast and NI Opera artists including Anna-Jane Casey @annajanecasey13 our 'Sally'. Tickets are £10 and bookable via our website. Then, on September 19th, right before the show, you can come along to the Studio in the @gohbelfast and try out singing some songs from Follies and other Sondheim classics from 5.30 to 7pm with NI Opera artists. This popular event has been part of our outreach programme for the last few years and this year it coincides with Culture Night so you can make it part of your plans for the evening. Tickets are free but must be booked via our website and if you want to see Follies and haven't booked yet, you could come along and see the show afterwards! If you have already booked your tickets for Follies and are attending the Tuesday or the Saturday matinee performances, there is a free Director's Talk in the Studio at 6.30pm and 1.30pm respectively on each date - tickets can be booked via the Grand Opera House. Find out more via the linktree in the bio. @artscouncilni @room2 @belfastlearning #Follies #InConversation #SingAlong #ComeAndSing #CultureNight #WhatsOnNI #September #Talks #Lectures #adulteducation #musictheatre #musicaltheatre #musicals #choir #belfastchoir
Newsletter Sign Up

Subscribe

* indicates required
Your interests (tick at least one)

Please confirm you are happy to receive our email newsletter which we we send out about once a month.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For further information about our privacy practices please visit this page on our website. https://niopera.com/cookies-and-privacy/

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.