Our Chorus Development Programme launched in 2022, following open auditions to select local singers to be part of the chorus development programme in the build-up to our major production of ‘La Traviata’ at the Grand Opera House in Belfast. The Chorus Development Programme is open to singers aged 18 and up.
The NI Opera Chorus is now a key part of our Artist Development Programme which runs throughout the year but with a particular focus between March and September each year as we build towards our main stage production. The NI Opera Chorus work with regular and guest coaches in the build up to these major, fully staged productions in the Grand Opera House, Belfast.
Members of the chorus have year-round opportunities for both solo and group performances with Northern Ireland Opera as part of the Artist Development Programme. In 2023, they performed ‘Chorus’ an evening of opera choruses on May 19th in the Harbour Commissioner’s Office in Belfast and the female members of the chorus took part in our performance of Mendelssohn’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ with the Ulster Orchestra at the UIster Hall in May 2023. They also performed two free pop-up performances in August 2023 on the Maritime Mile before appearing in our September 2023 production of ‘Tosca’.
In February 2024 members of the NI Opera Chorus and our Artist Development Programmes performed ‘The Juniper Tree‘ a fully-staged opera composed by Philip Glass and Robert Moran, with lyrics by Arthur Yorinks, in The Studio of the Grand Opera House and performed ‘CHORUS!’ in The Ulster Hall on 18 May. In 2025 they performed with the Ulster Orchestra in a Good Friday concert and members and small ensembles took part in concerts and pop up events throughout the year.
In 2026 members of the chorus will be working alongside Diva Opera in a new production of La Bohème in the Carlisle Memorial in May and the full chorus will be working towards our major production of Carmen in September 2026. Throughout the summer they will be working on repertoire, language skills, movement, vocal coaching and action and gaining performance experience at our Morning Melodies events and other summer recitals and pop-ups – check out our What’s On page to see what’s coming up next.
Find out more about ‘CHORUS!’ in The Ulster Hall here.
Find out more about ‘The Juniper Tree’.
Find out more about the NI Opera Chorus here.
Chorus Reviews
‘The locally based NI Opera chorus is, post-Covid, new, recruited through open auditions earlier this year yet already able to produce the vital, full-bodied sound needed for Verdi’s beloved work. ‘ The Observer
‘Ravishing choruses, as hypnotic as the marquee arias, inject peroidic brio into the musical narrative.’ Theatre News
‘The dance and choral scenes were exceptionally well-balanced, in which the Northern Ireland Opera Chorus was in fine voice.‘ Opera Wire
Artists in Development
Since 2023 we have identified and supported with tailored coaching and opportunities a number of emerging artists, giving them the opportunity to develop their skills in areas which will help them in their professional careers. The range of disciplines includes two conductors, a repetiteur, a stage manager and singers across opera and music theatre. This programme will help NI Opera grow a stronger skills base. Each we’ll be showcasing their talents in a range of different performance opportunities and experiences.
Our work with emerging artists has been a major segment of what we do since we were founded. The Northern Ireland Opera Studio, (previously known as the Young Artists Programme) ran from 2011 until 2021 during which time it supported 39 emerging opera singers, helping prepare them for their future careers before developing into the two programmes running today, the Chorus Development Programme which reaches over 35 singers each year, and our Artists in Development which is targeted to support a smaller number artists and creatives.
Find out more about the NI Opera Chorus and the Artist Development Programme in the link on the left.
Thank you to Cathedral Eye Clinic who have made a donation in support of our Artist Development Programmes for 2026.
We are grateful to the Garrick Club Charitable Trust for a generous grant towards our Artist Development Programme in 2024.
Thank you to D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust whose generous grant towards our Artist Development Programme will support tailored coaching for three opera singers in the build-up to our production of ‘Eugene Onégin’ in September 2024.