United Kingdom Puccini, La bohème: Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of Northern Ireland Opera / Rebecca Lang (conductor). Carlisle Memorial Church, Belfast, 18.9.2021. (RB)
Northern Ireland Opera’s La bohème overcomes Covid restrictions
Belfast
Conor Mitchell’s new opera for children is not without a dark side
Ireland Conor Mitchell’s The Musician: A Horror Opera for Children: Soloists, The Belfast Ensemble / Tom Brady (Conductor), Livestreamed from Belfast’s Lyric Theatre as part of 2021 Belfast Children’s Festival, 12.3.2021. (RB)
The Belfast Ensemble’s The Musician: A Horror Opera for Children streaming 12-14 March 2021
The Belfast Ensemble, in association with Young at Art, Belfast Children’s Festival present
The Musician: A Horror Opera for Children
FOR OUR RECENT REVIEW CLICK HERE
Streaming: Friday 12 March – Sunday 14 March, 7pm
Conor Mitchell’s darkly comic children’s opera retells a familiar story: ‘who was the Pied Piper? and ‘Why did the rats all dance to his tune?’ This world premiere from the award-winning Belfast Ensemble (click here) brings opera home to Northern Ireland. Musically extraordinary, this cautionary tale explores themes of nature, nurture and just desserts!
Northern Ireland Opera brings Kiss Me, Kate vibrantly to life
United Kingdom Cole Porter, Kiss Me, Kate: Cast, Chorus and Orchestra of Northern Ireland Opera / Conor Mitchell (conductor). Lyric Theatre, Belfast, 5.2.2020. (RB)
Conor Mitchell’s powerful new music drama, packing a political punch, is staged in Belfast
United Kingdom Conor Mitchell, Abomination: A DUP Opera: The Belfast Ensemble / Tom Brady (conductor). Lyric Theatre, Belfast, 8.11.2019. (RB)
Belfast Hears Outstanding Performances by the Pacific Boychoir
United Kingdom Various composers, Choral Recital: Pacific Boychoir / Andrew Brown (director), St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, 30.6.2019. (RB)
A Fitting Celebration of the Belfast Philharmonic Choir’s 145th Anniversary
United Kingdom Mendelssohn, Elijah: Elaine McDaid (soprano); Dawn Burns (alto); Conor Breen (tenor); Kevin Neville (bass); Belfast Philharmonic Choir; Ulster Orchestra / Stephen Doughty (conductor); David Stevens (0rgan), Ulster Hall, Belfast, 7.6.2019. (RB)
CHORUS MASTER STEPHEN DOUGHTY IN CONVERSATION WITH ROBERT BEATTIE
Stephen Doughty Tells Robert Beattie About the Work of the Belfast Philharmonic Choir
The Belfast Philharmonic Choir is Northern Ireland’s only symphonic choir. I went to listen to them perform in St Anne’s Cathedral a few months ago and was impressed with the quality of the singing and the range of their repertoire. The repertoire of the choir is exceptionally varied and includes key works by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Bruckner. The Phil also champion new works and in 2015 they performed the world premiere of James Whitbourn’s The Seven Heavens which was written especially to commemorate the choir’s 140th anniversary.
They will be performing Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Ulster Orchestra on 7 June. I spoke to their Chorus Master Stephen Doughty about preparations for the performance and about the work of the choir more generally.