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Past Productions

Explore Northern Ireland Opera's past productions - from 2011 to present

Eugene Onégin

Eugene Onégin

'Onegin' in September 2024 - selected as number 3 in The Observer's top ten concerts and operas in the UK for 2024

Eugene Onégin
Tosca

Tosca

'Tosca' in September 2023 '...one of NIO's finest productions.' Bachtrack

Find out more
La Traviata

La Traviata

'La Traviata' in September 2022 was selected as one of The Observer's top ten operas and concerts in the UK for 2022

La Traviata
Into The Woods

Into The Woods

'Into The Woods', our most recent production at the Lyric Theatre Belfast in February 2022. This production will be performed for West Australian Opera in March 2023

Into The Woods
La Bohème

La Bohème

'La Boheme', our production of Puccini's much loved classic, performed in the Carlisle Memorial Church in September 2021.

La Bohème

Concert

Music for Good Friday

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

January 2025

Out To Lunch Festival Event

Join us for an hour of glamour and sparkle in The Black Box, Belfast. We're excited…

Past Production

From Old to New – Ulster Scots Song

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

Past Production

Afternoon Recital at The Londonderry Arms

Enjoy an hour of arias and songs in the historic Londonderry Arms Hotel in Carnlough on…

Outreach

Come and Sing ‘Eugene Onégin’

After the fun and excitement we’ve had with the ‘Tosca’ and ‘La Traviata’ Come and Sing…

Concert

Opera at The Court House

******************SOLD OUT**************** Join us for a one hour performance of arias and songs in The Court…

July/August 2024

Summer Recital Series 2024

In partnership with First Church, Belfast, as part of their annual Summer Recital Series, Northern Ireland…

Past Production

The 14th Glenarm Festival of Voice

The 14th Glenarm Festival of Voice returns to the beautiful Co Antrim village of Glenarm from…

July 2024

Springtime, Summertime and Mischief

Join us for an hour of arias and songs on a theme of ‘Springtime, Summertime and…

June 2024

The Stars, The Moon and The Georgian Sky

Join us in a brand new Salon event designed for and performed in the stunning Bishop’s…

Education

Music and Creative Skills Workshops

Northern Ireland Opera invites your senior music students to participate in an outreach week at the…

October 2024

Morning Melodies

**************SOLD OUT******************** Northern Ireland Opera & The Grand Opera House present a magical musical morning performance…

Concert

CHORUS!

Following on from the huge success of our 2023 Opera Chorus Development Programme and our chorus's…

Past Production

Eugene Onégin

Love, friendship and fidelity collide with devastating consequences in this story of passion, pride, a moment’s…

Past Production

Cabaret de la Boîte Noire’

********** SOLD OUT ************** After a sold-out presentation last year we return to the Black Box…

Past Production

Christmas Sing-Along at The MAC

Come and perform songs, carols and music with the NI Opera Chorus Experience the power of…

New Work

Cupid’s Bow

Celebrate Valentine’s week as Cupid and a host of wonderful and recognisable characters from some of…

NI Opera Studio

The Juniper Tree

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

Concert

The Glenarm Festival of Voice Competition Finale

Book now for the thrilling culmination to the Glenarm Festival of Voice, the much-anticipated Competition Finale,…

Past Production

Opera Dinner

Experience the height of luxury in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter as Northern Ireland Opera…

Past Production

Tosca & a Tipple

Northern Ireland Opera welcomes you to The Black Box, Belfast, for an evening of trivia, fun…

Outreach

Come and Sing ‘Tosca’

*** FULLY BOOKED ***

After the huge amount of fun and excitement last year…

Concert

Lunchtime Recital

*** FULLY BOOKED *** Banish the Monday blues and join us for a free hour of…

June 2024

Opera Tots

**********SOLD OUT****************** Opera Tots is a free programme created for young children up to 24 months…

NI Opera Studio

Live at the Park

Come along to Flowerfield Arts Centre for a free lunchtime performance in Portstewart. Listen to soprano…

Education

Music and Theatre Skills Summer Scheme

Are you 12-18, interested in theatre skills and looking for something to do this summer? We…

Concert

The 13th Glenarm Festival of Voice

Join Northern Ireland Opera in the beautiful coastal village of Glenarm from August 25-27 for our…

Associate Artist Production

Walled City Music Festival Concert

This exciting collaboration between Walled City Music Piano Festival and Northern Ireland Opera will bring their…

Concert

Chorus! 2023

Following on from the huge success of the 2022 Opera Chorus Development programme and their performances…

Main Stage

Tosca

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

Past Production

The Salon Series

The Salon Series is a new programme of short operas, art songs, cabaret and music theatre…

Past Production

Les Nuits d’Été & À Chloris

À Chloris and a selection of mélodie by Reynaldo Hahn will be performed by soprano Anna…

March 2024

‘Songs and Dances of Death’ & ‘Kindertotenlieder’

A double bill of 'Songs and Dances of Death' by Mussorgsky and 'Kindertotenlieder' by Mahler: part…

Past Production

The Lost Boy

Vocalist Conor Quinn, who audiences loved as 'Jack' in our critically acclaimed production of 'Into The…

Past Production

Sea Wrack

'Sea Wrack' is one of six productions making up The Salon Series, featuring staged performances by…

Past Production

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered will be performed by soprano Wendy Ferguson and pianist Ruth McGinley, with songs from the golden…

Concert

Festive Events

Join NI Opera for a series of festive events this Christmas. Upcoming Events On 18th December…

Past Production

Cabaret de la Boîte Noire

THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT Join us for an hour of glamour and sparkle, taking…

Outreach

‘Creative Carlisle’ Skills Expo at the Crumlin Road Gaol

Northern Ireland Opera and the Belfast Buildings Trust are working together on a special creative skills…

Outreach

Opera Adventurers

Opera Adventurers is a newly designed school and youth group programme created by Northern Ireland Opera,…

Concert

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

An evening of music with the Ulster Orchestra which starts with Schumann's Violin Concerto performed by…

Outreach

Children’s Activities at Glenarm: Singing and Stories!

Join us for some family friendly activities at The 12th Glenarm Festival of Voice! Come along…

Outreach

From Old to New: Ulster Scots Songs

Come along to the Grand Opera House and enjoy a free lunchtime recital in the Studio…

Outreach

Irish Folk Songs Recital

Come along to the Grand Opera House and enjoy a free lunchtime recital in the Studio…

Concert

Summer Recital Series

In partnership with First Church, Belfast as part of their annual Summer Recital Series, Northern Ireland…

Past Production

Feline Intimate

Meow Meow’s Belfast appearance promises an intimate introductory evening of musical mayhem and beauty from Brecht…

Past Production

La Triviata

Join Northern Ireland Opera at The New Orpheus, Belfast for an afternoon of quizzes and live…

Outreach

Sundays on the Maritime Mile

Join Northern Ireland Opera at various locations along the Maritime Mile on Sunday afternoons for free…

Concert

12th Glenarm Festival of Voice

Join Northern Ireland Opera and BBC Radio 3 in the beautiful coastal village of Glenarm this…

New Work

Nobody/Somebody

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

Associate Artist Production

Filming Opera: Sound Technology

Join NIO Artistic Director Cameron Menzies and Producer, Mixer and Sound Engineer Rocky O'Reilly as they…

Main Stage

La Traviata

Come and celebrate the return of opera to the Grand Opera House Belfast in September 2022.…

Associate Artist Production

The Great American Songbook

*PLEASE NOTE - DUE TO COVID-19, CQAF ARE TAKING ALL EVENTS ONLINE - THIS EVENT WILL…

Musical

Into The Woods

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

NI Opera Studio

Christmas Concert

Join the Northern Ireland Opera Studio singers for their annual Christmas Concert in Belfast's city centre…

Associate Artist Production

Puccini and a Pint

As part of the 11th Festival of Voice, which is taking place in Belfast this year…

Main Stage

Così fan tutte

'An entertaining and novel take on Mozart’s Così fan tutte - a big hit for Northern Ireland Opera'…

Past Production

Hansel and Gretel

“Lively, funny and provocatively gruesome” The Sunday Times “A feisty staging of Humperdinck’s opera… Northern Ireland…

Main Stage

Don Giovanni

“Mears’s last hurrah in Belfast was a hugely entertaining and witty show, met with chuckles throughout”…

Main Stage

Radamisto

‘The young company made a persuasive case for both the work, in Christopher Cowell’s eminently singable…

Past Production

Agrippina

Main Stage

Powder Her Face

“A brilliant new production… a triumph for (Antony) McDonald, NI Opera and, above all, (Mary) Plazas”…

Main Stage

The Threepenny Opera

‘A tight, energised entertainment that is a fine addition to the company’s catalogue’ – Music: ★★★★ |…

Musical

Kiss Me Kate

Kiss Me, Kate, Cole Porter’s iconic musical comedy follows a fiery couple of co-stars feuding both…

Film Production

Old Friends and Other Days

Old Friends and Other Days, a film by Northern Ireland Opera, supported by the Arts Council…

Film Production

Northern Songs Series 2

Northern Songs Series 2 returns on May 13th 2021 and every Thursday at 8pm for eight…

Main Stage

La Bohème

Opera Now: Music:★★★★★ Staging:★★★★★ ''This is opera at its finest' The Times:★★★★ "Northern Ireland Opera…

Concert

11th Festival of Voice 2021

The Glenarm Festival of Voice, our annual celebration of voice and song, is now in its…

Past Production

The Devil Made Me Do It

Northern Ireland Opera invites you to join us for an hour of devilish arias, duets, and…

Film Production

At Home for Heroes

At Home for Heroes: A classical thank you to the NHS and frontline workers Northern Ireland…

Past Production

The Festival of Voice 2020

This August we will celebrate The Festival of Voice 2020 which this year, because of the…

Past Production

Lockdown Activities

During the lockdown, we’ve been busy creating projects and activities for you to take part in…

Past Production

The Festival of Voice 2020: The Finale Film

The Festival of Voice Competition Finale has been filmed for the first time this year. Watch…

Film Production

Northern Songs

Join some of Northern Ireland’s best known opera singers as they take you to their home…

Associate Artist Production

The Associate Artists

The Associate Artists were brought together by Northern Ireland Opera to bring live music safely to…

Associate Artist Production

White Ribbon

‘White Ribbon’ is a collaborative anthem created in support of the White Ribbon Campaign, a global…

Past Production

The Chronic Identity Crisis of Pamplemousse

Pamplemousse the grapefruit is upset. And lonely. His mouse neighbours aren’t very friendly unless he’s crying…

Film Production

At Home for Christmas

Enjoy our celebration of Christmas in this short film produced last year with some of our…

NI Opera Studio

The Enchantress

A corrupt state, a spoiled prince, a woman of the stage: Things are about to change…

Main Stage

Die Fledermaus

Friends – who’d have ‘em? This was probably one of the less offensive thoughts to go…

NI Opera Studio

Offenbach Bicentenary Operetta Festival

Join the NI Opera Studio in celebrating the bicentenary of Jacques Offenbach, with performances of two…

NI Opera Studio

La Dirindina

BANNED IN 1715.  JUST AS SCANDALOUS IN 2019. La Dirindina is headed for a stellar career…

Main Stage

Sweeney Todd

Northern Ireland Opera and the Lyric Theatre present Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Attend the tale of…

NI Opera Studio

If You Can Find Me

An empty theatre at night…  A mysterious visitor. NI Opera Studio presents a tale of escape, longing, and…

Main Stage

Rigoletto

Northern Ireland Opera, in co-operation with the Ópera Nacional de Chile, presents Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi. Sung in the original…

NI Opera Studio

Così fan Tutte/School for Lovers

Brides, Boys, Booze Welcome to opera as you’ve never seen it before. Mozart’s Così fan Tutte/School for Lovers,…

NI Opera Studio

Hidden Extras

"Send me a bride of the following specifications…" Join us for Rossini’s modern tale of an…

Main Stage

Earthsong

Jacobus Klopper Canticle of the Sun Felix Mendelssohn Die erste Walpurgisnacht Andrew Carter Benedicite Christopher Marshall Earthsong (European Premiere) The planet…

Concert

Requiem

Join the combined forces of the Belfast Philharmonic Youth Chamber Choir, soloists from the Northern Ireland Opera Studio,…

Past Production

The Flying Dutchman

“An achievement of which Wagner himself would no doubt have been proud” – ★★★★ The Telegraph “A thrilling…

Past Production

The Importance of Being Earnest

“Visually and dramatically, (Antony) McDonald has realised (Gerald) Barry’s surreal operatic world with wonderful precision…musically it…

Past Production

The Magic Flute

“Couldn’t have been more of a success… a Flute far-better-endowed companies would be proud to tour”…

Past Production

The Turn of the Screw

“This is a first-rate cast…It’s a Screw that any company would be proud to…

Past Production

L’elisir D’amore

“This is a staging of L’Elisir d’Amore rich in comic detail, but also highly sensitized to…

Past Production

Macbeth

“This production is another memorable landmark for a company that’s just four years old” – ★★★★ The Times…

Main Stage

Salome

“A fine, startling achievement that confirms Northern Ireland Opera’s growing status as a force to be…

Past Production

NI Opera Shorts

“Remarkable… each opera was skilful, provoking laughter as well as sorrow” The Observer “A fine introduction…

Past Production

Orpheus in the Underworld

“Flamboyantly irreverent” The Guardian “A show that’s full of fizz, contemporary relevance and belly laughter” Irish…

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Our ever-popular 'Morning Melodies' event is back in the @gohbelfast Studio in June with a theme of 'The Golden Age of Musicals.' This event sold out very quickly after going on sale back in December, but if you are lucky enough to have a ticket, we're delighted to introduce the artists who will be performing for you. L to R in the image: Anna Violet @annaviolett.2 Petra Wells @petrawells_soprano Laura Shaw @laura.shaww Michael Curran Dorsano @michaelcurrandorsano Chris Kane @_chriskane and pianist Stuart Pedlar will perform an hour long selection of some of the best-loved songs from the golden age of musicals, directed by @cameronmenziesdirector. Find out more via the linktree in the bio - and look out for our next Morning Melodies event coming later this year. #morningconcert #morningmusic #musicaltheatre #june #whatsoninjune #goldenageofmusicaltheatre #singers #northernireland #localtalent @artscouncilni @ourbelfastmusic
What a fantastic night we had performing with the Ulster Orchestra in the Ulster Hall. Thank you to the NI Opera Chorus, our four soloists @marymccabesoprano @jennybourkemezzo, @euanmcdonaldtenor and @seamus_brady8, to the @ulsterorchestra, conductor Christoph Altstaedt and to @jamesgrossmith and @frasierhickland who have worked so hard with all our artists during our rehearsal period over the last few months. We are so proud of all our artists - thank you to everyone who has been involved in preparing for this performance, and to the audience who came out to experience Haydn's magnificent work with us. You can find out all about the NI Opera Chorus here: https://niopera.com/ni-opera-chorus/ We wish you all a very Happy Easter! @artscouncilni @cameronmenziesdirector #operachorus #artistdevelopment #northernireland #Belfast #haydn
We're excited to be taking 'La Voix Humaine' to @theeverymancork in less than two months time! This incredible one-woman, one-act French opera will be performed by @marymccabesoprano - Tatyana in our production of Eugene Onegin last autumn - with @davidquigleypianist, directed by @cameronmenziesdirector It's a great opportunity to see this famous and powerful work which has inspired so many other artists and works: the opera is based on a play of the same name written by Jean Cocteau, who also directed the first opera performance in 1959. This work also inspired Almodovar's famous 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.' 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. Sung in French with English surtitles. Image: @neilharrisonphotography Wigs and Make-Up: @nualacampbell Gown: @lindabritten Location: @hillsboroughcastle @ArtsCouncilNI #Poulenc #Cork #CorkinJune #oneactopera #onewomanopera #Cocteau #EverymanCork #heartbreak #breakup #womenonthevergeofanervousbreakdown
A look back at some of our activities during our Music and Theatre Skills week in October in East Belfast. This popular week-long event exploring some of the skills we use to bring a show to the stage returns from 21 to 25 April in St John's Parish Hall, Falls Road. Children aged 9-11 can attend workshops with theatre and music professionals between 10 and 3pm each day, led by our Community Outreach Coordinator, @bobbiraipurdy. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided and the week long event is free to attend. Places are limited, so if you'd like to book a place, contact community@niopera.com soon! Find more information about the week via the linktree in the bio. With thanks to our Principal Funder @artscouncilni and to @westonfdn and the Foyle Foundation whose support makes our outreach and education programmes possible. #EasterEvents #holidayscheme #westbelfast #fallsroad #whatoninbelfast #whatson4kids #easterholidayfun #theatreskills #musicskills
Tonight on Classical Connections @bbcradioulster listen to @jennybourke_mezzo and @seamus_brady8 with @michellebairdmusic talking to @johnnytoal1 about our upcoming collaboration with @ulsterorchestra in Haydn's 'The Seven Last Words of Christ' at The Ulster Hall @waterfront_ulster_hall on Good Friday. Jenny and Seamus will perform this powerful, contemplative work as soloists with @marymccabesoprano @euanmcdonaldtenor, and the NI Opera Chorus. Tickets available now from The Ulster Hall - more info via the linktree in our bio. @artscouncilni @ourbelfastmusic #Haydn #sevenlastwords #classical concerts #easter #whatson #goodfriday #belfastevents #easterinbelfast #operachorus #operaconcert
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