We thought we were on quite a roll at Opera Workshop until our routines, our work, our daily activities were stopped short. Like everyone we wait, trying to be patient. With the safety and well-being of all our artists, friends and audiences of paramount importance, we admit to a huge amount of disappointment that we are unable to share the first scenes of our new opera, ‘No 2 Pery Square’, by Fiona Linnane.
However we can look back on an incredibly busy few months since our season launch in October 2019, held at the No 1 Pery Square Hotel and the wonderful performances and projects that took place into early 2020.
October 2019: New Season Launch – photos by Lucy Dawson
Morning coffee, delicious scones and a wonderful reception for Opera Workshop was the order of a sunny October morning at the No 1 Pery Square Hotel. Our many friends, audience members, supporters and local arts organisations gathered for a chat, to hear our plans and some music performed by Eve Stafford and Irina Dernova. Thanks to all who attended and for your continued support of Opera Workshop.
November 2019: Hands in Harmony
We have made fast friends with the wonderful people of Hands in Harmony Deaf Community Choir.
Working together over a three month period we created the musical performance ‘Signing not miming.’
With great humour, friendliness and trust, the members of Hands in Harmony devised a show that highlighted many of the issues and misconceptions faced by the Deaf Community on a daily basis. The choir worked with director Shirley Keane, singer Cathriona Walsh, musicians Irina Dernova and Michael Laffan on a performance for friends and family at The Irish World Music Academy, UL in November.
‘Signing not miming’ was supported by the Limerick City and County Council Arts Department and Creative Ireland – Made in Limerick Grant.
With thanks to Irish World Music Academy for their fantastic support. Check out this link to a short documentary on the making of ‘Signing not Miming’ made for us by Lucy Dawson.
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December 2019: A Christmas Evening
We were back in one of our favourite Limerick spots.. No 1 Pery Square Hotel for three Christmas Evenings with Opera Workshop.
We cosied up with mince pies, mulled wine and every fun Christmas cliché you could imagine!
Carols, songs and arias were whisked up for a magical Christmas Evening devised by our never naughty and always nice ensemble with director Shirley Keane, singers Sarah-Ellen Murphy, Kevin Neville, Eve Stafford, Cathriona Walsh and pianists Frances Kelleher, Eoin Scanlon and Conor McCarthy with violinist Roisin McMullin.
January 2020: Limerick Recital & Masterclass Series
Opera Workshop teamed up with St Mary’s Cathedral Limerick and the Mid West Vocal Academy with the aim of developing a new initiative, the Limerick Vocal Masterclass & Recital Series. Read more and photos here:
February 2020: The Trouble with Virtue
Opera Workshop were back on the road with a new longer version of The Trouble With Virtue. Read more here: