The Chocolate Factory June 9th

Ever consider how much you can achieve with twenty-hour hours work? For some people the boundaries are limitless – OTC Opera Hub artists have taken up the challenge and will conceive, create and perform an opera in only 24 hours.

Coming to the table on Thursday 8th June with nothing but their imagination, their raw talent and a favourite prop, soprano Sarah Shine, mezzo Bríd Ní Ghruagáin, tenor Andrew Gavin and actor Fionnuala Gygax will join forces with director Zoe Ní Riordáin, music director Eoghan Desmond and four composers to make an opera, ready to present to a live audience the following day.

OTC Artistic Director Fergus Sheil comments:

“Opera is viewed as one of the most complex, time consuming, resource-hungry art forms. In this project we wanted to do the complete opposite of what is normal. Instead of years of planning, weeks of rehearsals and hundreds of participants, we are stripping opera back to see what can be achieved under extreme time pressure. Just 24 hours from A-Z. Is it possible? We will find out. We’re delighted to welcome a diverse, talented and above all courageous group of artists who have embraced the idea. They will need to draw on all their talents in a highly pressurised way."

Award winning composer Brian Irvine will spearhead the creative process for 24HR Opera and describes how he is “thrilled to be the mentor” for OTC’s project, which includes four “inspirational young composers”: Robbie Blake, Anna Murray, David Coonan and Teodor Iuliu Radu. All of whom will sincerely appreciate Irvine’s expert mentoring as they face into this exhilarating challenge, pitted against the clock.  

Once the music is completed the team will be joined by a small chamber ensemble, including Lina Andovskato (Flute), Andreea Banciu (Viola) and Adrian Mantau (Cello) to rehearse, stage and perform the opera as a site-specific work in the vast industrial Chocolate Factory. Located on Kings Inn Street, the building was the first ever concrete building in Dublin and was a working factory for decades before evolving into an urban creative community centre.

Opera Theatre Company recently restructured the Opera Hub programme, which is a focal point for emerging singers, directors, composers, librettists and répétiteurs in Ireland. It works as both a performance platform and an educational sphere where young professionals may develop their artistic practice through engagement with collaborative projects and training opportunities.

The emerging artists exercise their own creative control to shape the future of Opera in Ireland and to challenge conventions, to create authentic, thrilling and innovative performance experiences.

Join OTC Opera Hub for the performance of Ireland's first 24hr Opera: a short opera that will be written, composed, rehearsed and presented all within 24 hours.

Tour Details

Production Information