Brian Irvine and Netia Jones' Opera Least Like The Other Earns Prestigious Ivor Novello Award

The piece, commissioned by Irish National Opera, took centre stage at the Royal Opera House's Linbury Theatre, captivating audiences with its poignant exploration of Rosemary Kennedy's life.

Composer Brian Irvine says "I'm so delighted to receive this award on behalf of all the amazingly creative, adventurous minds that focused their brilliance at a particular moment in time to make this piece what it was. Special love and thanks to my co-creator - the wunderkind that is the extraordinary Netia Jones - we made this together… in our own way. Most importantly, this award stands as a mark of the international quality, excellence, and vision of Irish National Opera. I am so proud of all that we achieved as a family. I would also like to thank everyone at the Royal Opera House for taking a risk on us and for being such super supportive hosts."

Fergus Sheil, Irish National Opera’s artistic director, says "Least Like The Other by Brian Irvine and Netia Jones is one of the most striking new operas of recent years. Commissioned and premiered by Irish National Opera in 2019 at the Galway International Arts Festival, it was performed earlier this year at the Royal Opera House in London where it received multiple 5-star reviews and an Olivier Award nomination for Best Opera Production. The recent Ivor Novello award for Best Stage Work is another major international accolade for this extraordinarily powerful and disturbing work. Huge congratulations to Brian, Netia and everybody who brought this work to life so memorably."

The success of Least Like The Other, Searching for Rosemary Kennedy not only underscores the exceptional talent of its creators but also highlights the dedication and collaborative spirit of Irish National Opera and its collaborators. With its thought-provoking narrative and emotive score, this opera continues to leave an indelible mark on audiences, cementing its place as a poignant and significant addition to contemporary operatic repertoire.