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What's On!

September

NI Opera presents 'Follies' at The Grand Opera House, Belfast

April

Music for Good Friday with The Ulster Orchestra

April

Music and Theatre Skills Easter Scheme for 9-11 year olds

June

La Voix Humaine tours to Cork in June 2025

June

Morning Melodies at The Studio, Grand Opera House, Belfast

August

Applications to enter the vocal competition at The 15th Glenarm Festival of Voice are now open

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.

Click here to see our Calendar of Events

April 2025

Music for Good Friday

The Northern Ireland Opera Chorus and soloists will be performing with The Ulster Orchestra in their…

Special Event

La Voix Humaine

Northern Ireland Opera's production of 'La Voix Humaine' will be staged at The Everyman, Cork in…

Concert

Morning Melodies

*********** SOLD OUT *********************** 11 June: Northern Ireland Opera & The Grand Opera House Present Morning…

Main Stage

Follies

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

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

3rd April 2025

Niall McKeever joins the creative team for NI Opera’s new production of Follies.

Northern Ireland Opera is delighted to announce Set Designer Niall McKeever as the latest member of the creative team who will be bringing Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman’s Follies to the Grand…

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Niall McKeever joins the creative team for NI Opera’s new production of Follies.
28th March 2025

Renowned Musical Director Greg Arrowsmith joins the ‘Follies’ creative team

Northern Ireland Opera are delighted to announce Greg Arrowsmith as the Musical Director for our new production of Follies. This year he will conduct his 21st West End production in a…

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Renowned Musical Director Greg Arrowsmith joins the ‘Follies’ creative team
27th February 2025

Applications to enter the 15th Glenarm Festival of Voice are now open.

Northern Ireland Opera are now accepting applications for the Vocal Competition and Pianist Internship at The 15th Glenarm Festival of Voice. The closing date for all applications is 6 p.m. on Friday…

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Applications to enter the 15th Glenarm Festival of Voice are now open.
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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

Find out all about our brilliant Set Designer for 'Follies', @niallmckeeverdesign on our news page via the linktree in the bio. Niall has worked with NI Opera on our opera productions over the last few years in @gohbelfast including La Traviata, Tosca and Eugene Onégin. He was nominated for Best Set Design at The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards for his work on our production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's 'Into The Woods' at The Lyric Theatre in 2022. His upcoming projects include Making History (Everyman Theatre, Cork); The Brightening Air (The Old Vic). We are delighted to be working with him again on our brand new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's 'Follies' this September. Tickets are on sale now via our website @gohbelfast. @artscouncilni @cameronmenziesdirector #Follies #Sondheim #WhatsOn #MusicalTheatre #Musicals #MusicTheatre #theatre #setdesign #theatrecareers
Touring to @theeverymancork in Cork on 5 June, NI Opera's production of ‘La Voix Humaine’ is a highly charged one-act, one-woman opera based on a play of the same name written by Jean Cocteau, who directed the first production in 1959. We watch a woman receive a phone call from her lover and eavesdrop as over the course of 50 minutes, her life unravels as he tells her he is in love with someone else and ends their relationship. Her mood moves from tenderness to neediness and anguish, brilliantly expressed by Poulenc’s music. It’s a powerful, emotional work, with a perspective seen from just one side of a relationship that is ending in real time and the anguish and pain that brings. We feel for ‘Elle’ and go through all the emotions with her as her life falls apart in an intense but universal story of heartbreak and loss. Cocteau’s monologue also inspired other artworks including Almodovar’s famous film ‘Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown’. NI Opera's production is performed by @marymccabesoprano and @davidquigleypianist , directed by @cameronmenziesdirector with Wigs and Make Up Design by @nualacampbell 'McCabe was impressive across the whole span of her tonal register, producing thrilling high notes and rich colours from the bottom of the register.' Seen and Heard International. Find out more in the link in the bio - and book your tickets soon! Photo Credit @neilharrisonphotography #Cork #JuneEvents #WhatsOn #LaVoixHumaine #Poulenc #Cocteau #FrenchOpera #operainCork #summerevents #operatour
A look back at some of the Competition Finales at our annual Glenarm Festival of Voice, now in its 15th year. Also, a reminder that applications are open for The 15th Glenarm Festival of Voice vocal competition. The deadline is 6pm on Friday 23rd May 2025. If you were born on the island of Ireland are 18 to 28, studying voice at third level or pursuing a career in opera then you are eligible to apply - find out more via the link in the bio. There is also an opportunity for classical pianists aged 18 to 28 and born on the island of Ireland to apply for the Peter Rankin Internship: full details also via the link in the bio. We can't wait to be back in the beautiful village of Glenarm for the festival this year which will take place from 22-24 August. We will be announcing information about the BBC Radio 3 recitals in the next month or so too, plus further events during the festival weekend. @artscouncilni @meaboroughcouncil #glenarm #midandeastantrim #antrimcoast #glenarmfestivalofvoice #operacompetition #operafestival #operaperformance #artsong #opera #northernireland
Our new production of 'Follies' is taking shape and we're excited to be announcing members of our creative team over the next couple of weeks, starting today with the Musical Director for 'Follies', Greg Arrowsmith. Greg comments: ‘Being Musical Director for the legendary musical Follies is something I’ve always wanted to do, and I can’t wait to get started. This production in the @gohbelfast in September will have a 19-strong cast plus ensemble and a 32 piece orchestra performing in the pit of this stunning theatre. I’m really looking forward to spending time in the city helping bring this award-winning musical to life.’ This year Greg will be conducting his 21st West End production in a career spanning over 25 years. These shows include: The Rocky Horror Show (Playhouse Theatre, Peacock Theatre and Dominion Theatre), Songs For Nobodies (Ambassadors Theatre), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre), Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre), Shall We Dance (Sadlers Wells), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (London Palladium) and 9 pantomimes at the London Palladium. Internationally Greg has worked on shows in Tel Aviv, Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Turin, Naples, Milan, Trieste, Toronto, San Diego, Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore We can't wait to welcome him to Belfast to work with us on the brilliant 'Follies' coming to @gohbelfast this September. Find out more via the event page in the linktree in our bio. @artscouncilni @cameronmenziesdirector #gregarrowsmith #musicals #musicaldirector #musicaltheatre #musictheatre #follies #sondheim #stephensondheim #jamesgoldman #whatson #whatsoninbelfast #bestmusical
Have you checked out our event page for 'Follies' yet? We're busy casting this fabulous musical and can't wait to share all the details soon. Set on Broadway in 1971 this production will be brought to life with a 32-piece orchestra and features incredible songs and captivating choreography. Visit our event page via the linktree in the bio and find out all about the 'Follies' story, watch some classic performance clips of some of the best-loved songs from the show, and see some behind the scenes interviews and clips on the inspiration behind this brilliant work. Tickets are available now from @gohbelfast - book soon to get your preferred night and seat! @artscouncilni @ourbelfastmusic @cameronmenziesdirector #sondheim #follies #belfast #whatson #booknow #jamesgoldman #sondheimfans #showtime #musicals #musicaltheatre #showband
Easter Scheme coming soon! We had a wonderful week at St Finnian's Parish Hall in East Belfast last October with our free Halloween Holiday Scheme for 9-11 year old children. The children explored different creative skills used to bring an opera to the stage, including singing, choreography, costume, props and acting with our expert facilitators and had a fantastic time! From 21 to 25 April we'll be holding our next free holiday scheme for Easter, this time in the parish hall in St John the Evangelist on the Falls Road. If you have a child aged 9-11 who is interested in music and theatre skills, including singing, storytelling, stage make-up, prop-making and drama and would like to spend the week exploring skills with our brilliant facilitators, email Bobbi at community@niopera.com to find out more and reserve a place. Places are free but spaces are limited. Each day runs from 10am to 3pm and breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided. Find out all more about our community outreach events via the linktree in the bio. With thanks to our principal funder @artscouncilni the @westonfdn and the Foyle Foundation whose funding makes these opportunities possible! #outreach #community #theatreskills #voicecoaching #stagemakeup #dance #movement #holidayscheme #easterscheme #freeevents #learnskills #theatrecareers #primaryschools #belfast
Applications are currently open for entries to the 15th Glenarm Festival of Voice Competition Finale. This takes place on the final day of our annual Glenarm Festival of Voice, where five opera singers, aged between 18 and 28 and born on the island of Ireland perform arias, ensemble pieces and Irish Art Song in front of a live audience and opera jury hosted by NI Opera's Patron, Sean Rafferty. If you are interested in applying this year to be part of the competition finale - or if you are a pianist and would like to find out more about our paid internship at the festival - check out the linktree in the bio for more information. The deadline to apply to be part of the competition this year is 6pm on 23rd May. Finalist pictured here are from the 14th Glenarm Festival of Voice in August 2024. Sopranos @zoe_jackson6 and @hannah.mckay1 tenor @peterthomas.oreilly and baritones @seamus_brady8 and @john__johnston. The 2024 Peter Rankin Piano Intern was @orlaithsharkey Full details via the linktree in the bio! @artscouncilni @meaboroughcouncil @bloomsbyoons_flowerfarm @glenarm #opera #operacompetition #vocalcompetition #youngoperasingers #northernireland #Glenarm Photo credit: Peter Thompson
Just a few weeks to go until we're performing with @ulsterorchestra at the Ulster Hall Waterfront Hall & Ulster Hall in the Music for Good Friday concert. The NI Opera Chorus and soloists Mary McCabe Jenny Hart - Bourke Euan McDonald Tenor and @seamus_brady8 will be performing Haydn's 'The Seven Last Words of Christ' with the orchestra. Also on the orchestra's programme for the evening is Richard Strauss’s Metamorphosen for strings. Tickets are available to book @waterfront_ulster_hall and start at £6 plus booking fee. More details via the linktree in our bio. Photo credits Chorus images @neilharrisonphotography and orchestra concert: David Kingham @artscouncilni #Haydn #operachorus #operasoloists #chorus #chorusandorchestra #thesevenlastwordsofchrist #goodfridayconcert #ulsterhall #northernireland #belfast #easterevents #classicalmusic