Opera Club for Junior Cycle Teachers

Hosted by INO’s artistic partner mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty, participants will be given an opportunity to experience a range of INO productions and meet, discuss and ask questions of some of the national and international stars involved in creating them.

These workshops are open to teachers of all Junior Cycle subjects and no knowledge of opera is required. Places are strictly limited.

Week 1: Mezzo-Soprano Sharon Carty introduces INO’s 20 Shots of Opera.

Join our host Sharon Carty as we delve into some of Irish National Opera’s 20 Shots of Opera, a selection of short operas which were conceived, composed, recorded and filmed during 2020.

Sharon Carty is an alumna of the RIAM Dublin, MDW Vienna, and the Oper Frankfurt Young Artists’ programme. Her opera repertoire includes, Hänsel, Dorabella, Dido and Orfeo in Gluck’s ‘Orfeo ed Euridice’. Sharon is also in regular demand on the concert platform across Europe and is a dedicated recitalist.

Tuesday 23 November | Time 7.00 - 8.15pm

Week 2: Choreographer Emma Martin speaks about her role in choreographing Orfeo ed Euridice the great musical myth.

Emma is a dancer and choreographer who creates works that combine dance, live music, theatre and distinct visual universes. Her work has been commissioned by Dublin Dance Festival, the Irish Arts Centre and she has partnered with a range of international festivals. Emma is an associate artist at the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art.

Tuesday 7 December | Time 7.00 - 8.15pm

Week 3: Author and Writer Megan Nolan and composer Amanda Feery speak about their collaboration on the libretto and composition of A Thing I Cannot Name.

Megan Nolan is a writer of essays, fiction and reviews. Megan has had readings and performances commissioned internationally and her debut novel Acts of Desperation was published in 2021.

Amanda Feery is a composer working with acoustic, electronic and improvised music, who has written for chamber and vocal ensembles, film, theatre, installation and multimedia.

Tuesday 11 January | Time 7.00 - 8.15pm

Week 4: Singer John Molloy chats about his role in INO's made for film opera, Peter Maxwell Davies' opera The Lighthouse

John Molloy is one of Ireland’s leading bass singers. He made his INO debut in 2018 as Antonio in Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and in 2021 he performed Colline in Puccini’s ‘La bohème’. In ‘The Lighthouse’ which is based on actual events, John plays multiple roles.

Monday 24 January | Time 7.00 - 8.15pm

Week 5: Set and Costume Designer Nicky Shaw speaks about creating the set and costumes for La Cenerentola (Cinderella).

This production celebrates the idea of literature, fantasy and escapism.

Nicky works mainly in opera, but also in theatre, musical theatre and short film. She has designed productions for many leading opera companies in the UK, Europe and South Korea and she has been a judge for the Linbury Prize held at National Theatre, London. She is on the committee of the Society of British Theatre Designers and mentors young designers.

Tuesday 8 February | Time 7.00 - 8.15pm

Week 6: Actor, Writer, Director and Photographer Hugh O’Conor speaks about his role in Alice’s Adventures Under Ground.

Alice's Adventures Under Ground is a made for film opera, by Irish composer Gerald Barry, based on the co-production of the same name between the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Irish National Opera.

Hugh made his first film appearance at the age of 10 in the film ‘Lamb’. He has written and directed short films, made music videos and made his directorial debut with ‘Metal Heart’ in 2018. His photography has been exhibited in the RHA Dublin, the RUA in Belfast and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Tuesday 1 March | Time 7.00 - 8.15pm