Opera group launches programme for 2005

TED CROSBIE, chairman of Opera 2005, last night launched the organisation’s programme for the coming season at the Heineken Brewery — and specifically, next week’s opening of The Marriage of Figaro.

The first full-scale Opera 2005 production, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, will be directed by Michael Hunt and conducted by Opera 2005’s artistic director Kevin Mallon.

Company manager Eithne Egan acknowledged the contribution of the Cork 2005 organisation and also expressed gratitude to sponsors Thomas Crosbie Holdings, Ernst & Young and Bank of Ireland Private Banking.

Opera 2005 was established under Mr Mallon as a response to Cork’s designation as European Capital of Culture and it has planned three major productions for this year.

Formed in February 2003, the company is dedicated to re-establishing the rich tradition of opera in Cork, where the Opera House celebrates its 150th anniversary this year.

“Opera 2005 was put together to echo the tradition of opera in Cork city that goes back as far as the late 1700s,” said Mr Crosbie.

The other two big productions this year will be Carmen, to be staged in July, and The Barber of Seville, Opera 2005’s final production for the year of the Capital of Culture, which will be staged in November.

There will also be a number of one-off concerts during the year by the Chorus of Opera, which will feature guest spots by the visiting soloists.

Next Friday, February 18, the first of these gala concerts, a performance of Mozart’s Requiem, will feature Majella Cullagh.