Despite success with previous productions, John O’Brien’s new opera wasn’t granted the funding for an extended run, writes Cathy Desmond

MAIREAD Buicke, star of the operatic stage and concert platform, reveals that her first ensemble experience was as a member of the Newcastle West Pipe Band. 

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Here’s some great things to do around the country this weekend.

Cara O’Sullivan is from the Lough area of Cork, and sings at Live at St Luke’s on Sunday. She will perform Richard Strauss and Samuel Barber songs in the first half, and operatic arias in the second half, including Puccini’s ‘One fine Day’ from Madame Butterfly.

Italy gave us the Roman empire and the Renaissance two of the most influential forces in European history. Has this legacy coloured Italians’ perception of themselves and their place in the world, wonders Marjorie Brennan.

In 2010 Clarecastle GAA Club lost another promising young hurler to emigration. But Co Clare’s loss was Germany’s gain as Dean Power ended up in Munich as one of the stars of the city’s renowned Bavarian State Opera.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wowed New York as they ended their US Tour by attending a glamourous fundraising event in aid of their old university.

Up to half a million people are expected to flock to thousands of venues nationwide as they open their doors to the public this evening for a free and fun-filled celebration of heritage, culture, arts and music.

Fancy watching opera at one of Europe’s top venues this autumn? Cathy Desmond selects six of the best, from Barcelona to a floating stage on Lake Constance

Neuroscientists are finding out that the context in which we eat or drink, influences our taste buds, reports Dan Buckley

Ukraine has been in the news recently because of political strife, but this week we can see a different side to the country — its artistry and cultural heritage, embodied in the Ukrainian National Opera of Kharkiv, which is performing a stunning production of La Bohème at Cork Opera House on Friday, March 28.

Cork Opera House’s spring line-up of events kicks off on Sunday with a concert in honour of Luke Kelly.

ALBUM REVIEW: Robert Glasper - Black Radio 2 (Blue Note)

Opera buffs should be well pleased this week with Ellen Kent’s Opera & Ballet International staging two legendary Verdi productions plus a Puccini from the Chisinau in Moldova.

Ellen Kent has resumed her multiple roles as promoter, artistic director and producer of operas.

The humanist ceremony that marked the death of Irish farming giant Paddy O’Keeffe took place in a North Cork mart and, in the words of his friend, Dawn Meats chairman Dan Brown, “that he chose this unconventional setting for his service is true Paddy”.

A History of Opera The Last Four Hundred Years

Montecatini last night literally rolled out the green carpet, as Giovanni Trapattoni, Marco Tardelli and the Ireland squad were formally welcomed to this beautiful Tuscan spa town, the reception committee including the Lord Mayor Giuseppi Bellandi and the reigning Miss Italy Stefania Bivone.

Maria Tsonina stars in La Traviata and La Boheme at Cork Opera House next week, Colette Sheridan reports

Kathryn Rudge is savouring her role in Opera North’s production of Giulio Cesare in Dublin next week, Nikki ffrench Davis reports

SALVATORE Licitra, a tenor known in his Italian homeland as the “new Pavarotti” for his potent voice and considerable stamina, has died after nine days in a coma following a motor scooter accident in Sicily.

A TRAGIC heroine killed by her own hand.

Roald Dahl’s widow will travel to Wexford for the premiere of an opera based on one of her husband’s best-loved books, it emerged today.

EVEN though his ‘ol blue eyes’ closed more than a decade ago, Frank Sinatra’s My Way is the most popular song played at British funerals, a new survey has revealed.

Tiny hands are frozen to perfection in Puccini’s tear-jerker of artists starving in bleak attics in l830s Paris … and poor Mimi once again coughs her way to heaven in the arms of her broken-hearted lover.

Luciano Pavarotti could make a surprise appearance in the top 10 of the UK singles chart today after people rushed to download one of his best known tunes in the hours after his death.

LUCIANO Pavarotti’s vibrant high C notes and ebullient showmanship made him the most beloved and celebrated tenor since Caruso and one of the few opera singers to win crossover fame as a popular superstar.

THOUGH the legacy of great creative artists assumes a permanent place in the consciousness of humanity until relatively recently the work of great performing artists died with them. They left nothing but memories.

Luciano Pavarotti, whose vibrant high Cs and ebullient showmanship made him one of the world’s most beloved tenors, died today, his manager said.

IF it’s August in Malmo, Sweden, or Copenhagen, Denmark, then it must be party time.

Speaking of opera, this is the screen version of a Pulitzer and Tony winning musical, based on the always-wonderful Puccini opera La Boheme.

FAVOURITE Daniela Meuli completed a Swiss hat-trick of snowboard gold medals with victory in the women’s parallel giant-slalom.

RENATA TEBALDI, the Italian soprano who was one of the biggest stars at New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Italy’s La Scala, died yesterday. She was 82.

Renata Tebaldi, an Italian soprano who was one of the biggest stars at New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Italy’s La Scala, died today, her doctor said. She was 82.

FILM FESTIVAL fans are on the home straight, but it’s when things get trickiest because the choice this weekend is almost overwhelming.

Justin Timberlake is in negotiations to star in the big screen version of the musical Rent.

The Spice Girls may reunite for a forthcoming greatest hits album, former member Mel B said today.

Luciano Pavarotti has sung his last opera on stage after more than four decades of the high Cs that transformed him from an insurance salesman to perhaps the most widely-beloved classical singer ever.

“NONE shall sing, none shall sing.” Or as Puccini might put it: “Nessun canta, nessun canta.”

Luciano Pavarotti has issued a statement to his fans explaining why he pulled out of performing at New York's Metropolitan Opera season finale.

Luciano Pavarotti went ahead with a performance of Tosca at London's Royal Opera House despite the death of his mother in Italy.