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An Introduction to Glasthule Opera

Anne-Marie O' Sullivan (far right) recently retired as Head of the Dept. of Vocal, Opera and Drama Studies at the Conservatory of Music and Drama DIT with a life-long involvement in the world of music and particularly opera. She has promoted and produced full-length operas, opera scenes and concerts in prestigious venues (National Concert Hall main auditorium and John Field Room) over the past 25 years.

As a performing artist and teacher, she has long realized the importance of providing professional performance opportunities for our young and brilliant singers. Sadly they do not get enough opportunity to perform nor do the public get the opportunities to hear them.
The entire focus of the Festival will be on having the best of our very talented young singers from all over Ireland perform in a manner which is accessible to all music loving people and which involves them in the careers and promotion of the young singers.
Performance requires great dedication and extremely hard work for little reward. The support of a caring group, apart from giving them the opportunities to perform they desperately need and richly deserve, will provide the spirit and drive to continue their careers. Caring enriches the carers as much as the receivers and their enjoyment of music will increase phenomenally.

As a resident of Dún Laoghare/Rathdown Anne-Marie sees the potential in developing a local summer opera festival. Glasthule is the ideal location with its charming village atmosphere and proximity to all kinds of transport, including the Stenaline ferry!

Long-established festivals like Wexford and Glyndbourne (UK) started in a very small way and developed into world-renowned events while smaller festivals e.g. Castleward, Blackstairs, Ryedale (UK), Broomhill (UK) draw crowds every year.

A short description of Glyndebourne Festival Opera -

It began over 50 years ago in a large house deep in the heart of East Sussex countryside, accessible only by car. Today it boasts a state-of-the-art Opera House, a season which runs from May to August, every seat sold and is still only accessible by car!! From Sept to Dec. Glyndebourne takes three of the festival productions on tour throughout Britain. During the Festival at Glyndebourne the opera usually starts at 4pm. There is a picnic interval of approx. 90 mins. and the performance ends around 8:30.
... perhaps a model for Glasthule in this beautiful area.

Welsh National Opera, which is based in Cardiff goes on tour twice a year. One of their venues is the North Wales Theatre in the seaside town of Llandudno. The people from miles around come in coach loads and fill every seat.

Early booking advisable!

B e c o m e   a   F r i e n d ~

It will be the support of the public as friends that will ensure the success and full realisation of the project. Given the resources Anne-Marie will work tirelessly and with spirit and enthusiasm to great effect. If you wish to become a Founding Friend please click here to learn more