Benjamin Britten
6 – 14 September 2014
Hailed as valuable newcomer to opera production in Ireland, OCI’s inaugural production of Britten’s THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA won widespread praise from audiences and critics alike.
Nominated as Best Opera Production – The Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards The company’s acclaimed updating of Britten’s compelling masterwork showcased the best of emerging Irish singing talent in a daring staging of this searing tale of civic corruption, sexual desire and the abuse of power. Cast members have since performed with, amongst others, the Royal Opera Covent Garden, Opera North, NI Opera, English Touring Opera, Wexford Festival Opera and the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence. The production, directed by Michael Barker-Caven, designed by Joe Vanek and conducted by Stephen Barlow, marked the first of OCI’s pioneering partnerships and was presented in association with Wexford Festival Opera.
→ 6 September 2014 – Wexford Opera House, Wexford → 9 September 2014 – The Everyman, Cork → 11 September 2014 – O’Reilly Theatre, Belvedere, Dublin → 12 September 2014 – O’Reilly Theatre, Belvedere, Dublin → 14 September 2014 – An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk The performances on September 6 & September 11 were audio-described by Bríd Ní Ghruagáin – facilitated by Arts & Disability Ireland with funding from the Arts Council.
“.. a superb, modern presentation… subtle and imaginative… Britten’s opera came across with a powerful impact and commendable musicality. IYO looks like becoming an important force in the development of music drama in Ireland in the years ahead.” Emerging stars shine in Britten’s chilling opera “This was a big night in more ways than one. Seldom has a Benjamin Britten opera of such quality and commitment come our way… production values that would stand scrutiny in the very best places… Impressive standards were promised and delivered, and that augurs well for the future.” “The singing in this production is pliant, fresh and emotionally responsive to text throughout… the production slick, resonant of current affairs… conductor Stephen Barlow elicits all the energy, emotion, darkness and human questioning of Britten’s music.” “A challenging piece given a strong contemporary reading by an impressive young Irish cast”
Opera Magazine
The Sunday Business Post
The Irish Times
The Irish Examiner
Director Michael Barker-Caven
Conductor Stephen Barlow
Design Joe Vanek
Lighting Sinéad McKenna
Male Chorus Ross Scanlon
Female Chorus Jennifer Davis
Collatinus Christopher Cull
Junius Rory Musgrave
Tarquinius Gyula Nagy
Lucretia Carolyn Dobbin
Bianca Raphaela Mangan
Lucia Emma Nash
In association with Wexford Festival Opera.
Find out more about OCI’s upcoming and past productions.