This November Opera Ireland will present five fully staged performances of Verdi’s Macbeth paired with two concert performances of Wagner’s Das Rheingold.

Macbeth (Verdi)

In 'Macbeth', Verdi created the first Shakespearean opera to alter operatic convention to suit the play rather than attempt to force the play into the operatic mould. Verdi wrote of Shakespeare ‘ I have had him in my hands from my earliest youth, and I read and reread him continually'. 'Macbeth' is considered to be Verdi's most original and exhilarating work. It premiered in Florence in1847 to critical acclaim.

The story features the age-old themes of the struggle for power, murder, corruption, revenge, ambition and guilt. Verdi's hauntingly beautiful music will have audiences captivated from the first notes.

This lavish, fully staged production will see Irish baritone Bruno Caproni in the title role with Canadian soprano, Michele Capalbo making her Opera Ireland debut as the ambitious and manipulative Lady Macbeth. Bulgarian tenor Kamen Chanev sings the role of Macduff while Valarian Ruminski returns as Banquo, having previously sung the role of Sarastro in 'The Magic Flute'.

Marco Zambelli returns to conduct the RTE Concert Orchestra after his triumphant interpretation of Balfe's long lost opera ‘Falstaff' in the National Concert Hall last year.

Directed by Opera Ireland's Artistic Director, Dieter Kaegi with sets and costumes by Irish designer Ferdia Murphy this promises to be a theatrical event not to be missed.

Performances: 14, 16, 18, 20 & 22 November

Tickets:
€25, €45, €60, €70, €85, €100, €120

Das Rheingold (Wagner)

Opera Ireland's concert performance of ‘Das Rheingold' (The Gold of the Rhine River) is a tantalising introduction to Richard Wagner's ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen', also known as The Ring Cycle. It tells the mythical story of the conflict between gods, giants and dwarfs over an enchanted treasure; a mystical golden ring that gives the wearer universal power but at the cost of forever renouncing love.

From the opening sounds of the River Rhine's rippling waters through the majestic ‘Entry of the Gods into Valhalla' you will be swept away by Wagner's magnificent music.

Roman Brogli-Sacher conducts a cast of some of our best-loved Irish singers. Orla Boylan makes a welcome return as Freia, with Philip O'Reilly as Donner, Paul Mc Namara as Froh, Gerard O'Connor as Fafner. Louise Walsh, Catherine Hegarty and Victoria Massey are the three Rhinemaidens and Imelda Drumm is Wotan's insistent wife, Fricka.

This season also sees the Opera Ireland debut of the powerful Ukrainian Bass, Vitalij Kowaljow in the role of the chief god Wotan and internationally acclaimed Wagnerian, Arnold Bezuyen as Loge.

This promises to be an enchanting and magical evening of glorious music.

Performances: 19 / 21 November 2009 (Concert Performances) at 8pm

Box Office: 1890 67 37 27
Or +353 1 872 1122
http://www.operaireland.com

For More Information:
http://www.operaireland.com