New Stages: Opera in 21st-Century Ireland
This course explores the vibrant and evolving landscape of Irish opera from 2000 to the present.
Description
This five-session course examines how composers and performers are pushing the boundaries of the operatic form through bold experimentation with music, text, staging and technology in twenty-first century Ireland.
Through case studies of groundbreaking works by artists like Brian Irvine, Kevin O’Connell and Andrew Synnott, participants will explore a range of contemporary Irish operas through listening, viewing and discussion. Some topics that will be discussed are the rise of Irish National Opera, the impact of international co-productions and how digital platforms and community outreach are introducing opera to a wider audience. Whether you are new to opera or a seasoned listener, this course offers a fresh lens on one of Ireland’s most dynamic contemporary art forms.
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Session 1: Introduction to the Irish operatic landscape since 2000
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Session 2: Spotlight on key contemporary composers reshaping Irish opera
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Session 3: Exploring visual, spatial and technological experimentation
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Session 4: The collaborative nature of modern Irish opera
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Session 5: Access, outreach and the future of Irish opera
Please see below the dates of the 5 in-person course sessions at the RIAM
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Friday 5th September 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
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Friday 12th September 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
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Friday 19th September 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
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Friday 26th September 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
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Friday 3rd October 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Prerequisites
Participants must be 18+
Tutors
Megan O'Neill
Megan O’Neill is a soprano from County Kerry. She has most recently completed the Doctor in Music Performance Degree at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and is a past member of the Irish National Opera Studio. She made her National Symphony Orchestra Debut at the National Concert Hall in June 2024, conducted by Samy Rachid.
In February 2024, she played the lead role of ‘Jane’ in the film-opera DreamCatchr by Kevin O Connell, which premiered at The Lighthouse Cinema as part of the Dublin International Film Festival. Megan made her National Opera House debut, playing the titular role of Cinderella, an opera by Alma Deutscher, at Wexford Festival Opera in November 2022. In the 2022 Feis Ceoil, Megan was the winner of the Gervase Elwes Memorial Cup. She was also awarded the 2022 RDS Music Bursary of 15,000EUR, and the 2023 RDS Collins Memorial Award of 2,000EUR. Megan played the role of ‘Teen polar bear’ in The Scorched Earth Trilogy, a street art opera by Brian Irvine and John McIlduff, which was produced by Irish National Opera and Dumbworld Production Company in March 2022. In association with ‘Cardiff Singer of the World’, The Scorched Earth Trilogy was played in venues across Wales in June 2023.