Mezzo Masterpieces

Mezzo Masterpieces

A light of hope from the depths of 2020’s Covid lockdown. A live web-streamed concert from St Patrick’s Hall at Dublin Castle
Irish National Opera

A programme of Italian opera including six outstanding bel-canto masterpieces sung by celebrity mezzo Tara Erraught. Guest contributions of two verismo soprano highlights from Amy Ní Fhearraigh.

Presented as one of a series of three concerts celebrating the mezzo soprano repertoire. Held in association with the Office of Public Works in Castletown House, Kilkenny Castle and Dublin Castle throughout the autumn of 2020.

St Patrick’s Hall, Dublin Castle 15th Nov 2020

Cast:
Mezzo soprano: Tara Erraught
Soprano: Amy Ní Fhearraigh

Programme:
Bellini: I Capuletti e i Montecchi Overture
Bellini: Se Romeo t’uccise un figlio (I Capuletti e i Montecchi)
Bellini: Dopo l’oscuro nembo (Adelson e Salvini)
Rossini: Ah, se è ver che in tal momento (Il barbiere di Siviglia)
Puccini: Sì. Mi chiamano Mimì (La bohème)
Cilea: Io son l’umile ancella (Adriana Lecouvreur)
Rossini: Bel raggio lusinghier (Semiramide)
Rossini: Assisa a piè d’un salice (Otello)
Rossini: Tanti affetti (La donna del lago)

Irish National Opera Orchestra
Conductor: Fergus Sheil

“Sheil leads a snappy performance of the opera’s overture, before Tara Erraught comes to the floor to give a finely-characterised account of the first act aria Se Romeo t’uccise un figlio” – Goldenplec.

“Fergus Sheil conducts the Irish National Opera Orchestra in a rousing performance of Bellini’s sweeping overture from I Capuleti e i Montecchi, (Romeo and Juliet) to get the evening underway. Bold, brash, and deliciously bombastic, hearts are set to racing and expectations raised. As if a gauntlet is being thrown to Erraught, daring her to follow.” – The Arts Review.

“[The orchestra] got a moment to shine in the opening piece, the overture from I Capuleti e i Montecchi – a good choice for the agile ensemble, allowing each section a moment in the spotlight, from the robust brass and percussion in the marchlike sections to the graceful woodwind, with the strings dancing over it all” – Journal of Music.

https://www.irishnationalopera.ie/whats-on/current-upcoming-productions/mezzo-masterpieces