Meet two women behind 'the grassroots of opera in Cork'

Colette Sheridan hears from Louise O'Sullivan and Mary G O’Brien about their semi-staged production of Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo

Opera organisers Louise O'Sullivan and Mary G O'Brien of the Cork Operatic Society. Picture: David Creedon

Cork’s rich tradition of opera is being revitalised with the Cork Operatic Society embarking on a new chapter that will see a semi-staged production of Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo taking place at the MTU Cork School of Music in March 2026. 

Widely regarded as the world’s first great opera, which is based on the Greek legend of Orpheus, L’Orfeo will be directed by Mary G O’Brien. O’Brien is a sister of the composer and opera director, John O’Brien. She teaches music at Ashton Secondary School.