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Opera Works was founded in January 2004 by its directors,
Allin Gray, Sonya Keogh and John O'Brien.
Opera Works aims to work towards sustainable programme
of opera by developing the resources necessary for the production
of opera, and producing works which are relevant and feasible
within our geographical and cultural context.
Having pursued a wide variety of production opportunities
during Cork's year as Capital of Culture in 2005, Opera
Works is now focussed on youth opera.
Opera Works is committed to the production of contemporary
Irish artworks, and has to date partaken in the premieres
of works by C.S.L. Parker, Angel Climent and John O'Brien,
in addition to the premiere performance by the Cork Children's
Chorus of the specially commissioned work for the Civic Launch
of Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture - Red
Sun by Ray Scannell & Eoin Horgan.
Productions and events to date:
- Cork Children's Chorus travelled to Kyushu - the southernmost
of the main Japanese islands - in 2006. There they performed
in The Third International Music Festival for Youth
with a repertoire of arrangements of traditional Irish
songs sung 'as Gaelige'.
- Carols from Cork 2005 broadcast
on RTÉ1 featured Cork Children's Chorus, Seraphim
and Orchestra, along with Majella Cullagh, Dennis O'Neill,
G4, Mícháel O'Súilleabháin,
James Galway, Gay Byrne, the President of Ireland - Mary
McAleese, and almost 600 choristers, conducted by John.
- A full staging of C.S.L. Parkers 24
Songs at Cork Opera House featuring Sonya Keogh,
mezzo (for whom the songs were written), the composer
at the piano, with Seraphim and orchestra, conducted and
produced by John O'Brien.
- Composer-in-residence, C.S.L.
Parker, worked with Cork Children's Chorus as part
of the Cork City Council Criteria?
residency. The result of this collaboration - Ships
and Waltzes - was recorded, published and premiered
in November 2005.
- Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and
Gretel (with a new English translation) produced
in a co-production with Cork Opera House in celebration
of the 150th anniversary of Cork Opera House.
- A year long Sacred Music Series
at the Honan Chapel UCC.
- The first staged production of John Gibson's Judith
and Holofernes, at St Fin Barre's Cathedral in association
with the Cork International Choral Festival and Cork 2005:
European Capital of Culture.
- Madame T at The Everyman
Palace Theatre in collaboration with Meridian Theatre
Company as part of the official calendar of events for
Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture.
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