The summer opera event planned for Kilkenny was previewed at a special gathering at Kilkenny Castle this week.
Opera enthusiasts were given a tantalising taste of things to come at the opera event hosted by Blackstairs Opera, Opera Theatre Company (OTC ) and the Office of Public Works (OPW ).
The event previewed the forthcoming ‘Opera at the Castle’ operatic performances which will take place in early July at Kilkenny Castle.
Minister of State for OPW and the Arts, Dr Martin Mansergh TD, joined organisers Jeremy Hill, chairman of Blackstairs Opera, Kirsty Harris, chief executive, OTC and Mary Heffernan, OPW in welcoming guests to the Opera Club which included a reception in the billiard room of Kilkenny Castle, an introduction to the operas that will be performed at Opera at the Castle this summer, and anecdotes from Handel’s life.
Jeremy Hill, Blackstairs Opera used the opportunity to formally announce the headlining artists who will perform Handel’s Acis & Galatea and Mozart’s Bastien & Bastienne in Kilkenny Castle on July 3 and 4.
They are: Nicola Mulligan (soprano ), Dean Power (tenor ) and Gavan Ring (baritone ).
Details were also announced of the special ‘Proms & Prams’ performance at Kilkenny Castle on Sunday July 5, at 2.30pm to mark Kilkenny 400. The event, which is sponsored by Kilkenny County Council, will be free to members of the public who can enjoy a feast of operatic favourites.
Tickets for Opera at the Castle cost from €85 for an opera ticket to a €145 package that includes priority seating and ‘A Taste of Kilkenny’ gourmet dining in the Great Hall. For enquiries visit www.blackstairsopera.com
