Cork Opera House has announced a new programme of events, its first since closing its doors in March of this year. The programme, which will be live streamed to audiences at home, features an eclectic mix of music by a host of established and emerging artists.
The programme features some of Cork’s best known artists, including Mick Flannery, Majella Cullagh and Molly Lynch, while the annual Christmas Concert will also be streamed online this year as the iconic venue brings audiences an alternative and re-imagined programme.
The new programme kicks off with leading Cork trombonist Paul Dunlea (31 Oct) who will be joined by some of Cork’s leading Jazz musicians including Laoise Leahy. In early November, alternative folk band Moxie (6 Nov), who performed the soundtrack to the 2016 summer phenomenon ProdiJIG: The Revolution, will return to the Opera House stage to present another innovative performance which will go beyond traditional backgrounds and reflect the world we live in today.
Moxie will be followed by a special streamed performance of Lilith (14 Nov), a thrilling cabaret-style song cycle by Éadaoin O’Donoghue and John O’Brien, performed by Ireland’s very own soul diva Karen Underwood as you’ve never seen her before. The original live performance of this beautiful work premiered to critical acclaim at the 2019 Cork Midsummer Festival.
Ahead of the new programme, Gleeson said “It is a joy to once again be working with artists in our locality to bring you a programme that can accompany you through these difficult times. Our winter programme puts our local artists front and centre and we’re delighted to be showcasing the incredible talent our region has to offer.”
Like many venues in the arts sector, Cork Opera House has faced an extraordinary challenging period. Ms. Gleeson continues, “We could never have imagined what 2020 would bring for our industry. Live performance is at the heart of what we do, our business exists to bring people together and to not be able to do that has been devastating. I am however encouraged by the fact that Cork Opera House has persevered through many crises throughout its history and we are doing everything we can to adapt so we can come out of this one also. With the support of Cork City Council and the Arts Council, we are now in a position to provide an onstream programme which gives us the opportunity to connect with our patrons and do our part to support our local artistic community.”
For fans of traditional and folk music, The Opera House Sessions will showcase some of Cork’s best homegrown talent. The first instalment of this series sees the much-anticipated return of Cork composer Cormac McCarthy (20 Nov). Cormac will be joined by a host of talented musicians including Darren McCarthy on bass, Fionn O Ceallachain on percussion, Marie Ryan on fiddle and vocalist Nicki Griffin for what is guaranteed to be a beautiful night of music.
Cork Opera House is delighted to work with Coughlan’s Live to bring exciting live music to the stage again and to celebrate some of the city’s and Ireland’s emerging artists (Nov 29) Cork’s 96FM presenter Michael Carr will play host to Lorraine Nash, Niamh Regan, Ailbhe Reddy and Paddy Dennehy.
While fans of the annual Opera House summer musical felt the absence of a spectacular production this year, there’s a treat in store for musical theatre fans as Cork-born star of the West End, Molly Lynch, takes a break from her West End show The Last Five Years to present a solo concert live from London.
Quiet Lights (06 Dec) is an exciting festival which aims to shine a light on the new wave of Irish and International folk, traditional, and experimental talent that are quietly forging new paths – showcases some shining lights of the Irish music scene. Quiet Lights features the unique partnership of Iarla Ó Lionáird and Steve Cooney, whose interpretations of songs from the sean nós tradition have set a new standard of artistic integrity and creative innovation. Cork singer-songwriter Marlene Enright and Cork-based harpist, singer and fiddle player Aoife Blake complete this stellar line up.
Cork Opera House also today confirmed the cancellation of this year’s Christmas Panto. Cork Opera House CEO Eibhlín Gleeson said, “We’re devastated that we can’t go ahead with our Panto this year, it’s our biggest show of the year and the Opera House simply won’t feel the same without it.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support of our patrons and the Cork public over the past 7 months. We’d like to sincerely thank them for their patience and understanding throughout one of the most difficult periods in our recent history. The support shown gives us enormous strength and hope in these uncertain times. As the song from the beloved Chitty Chitty Bang Bang goes From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success”
“We feel for the countless families who, year after year, come out in their droves to see our Panto. We know all our patrons will miss the tradition of Panto this year but rest assured, we will be doing all in our power to bring the magic of Panto back to Cork again next year… Sleeping Beauty will just get to sleep a little longer than initially thought”.
And while the festive season will look a little different this year without Cork Opera House’s most beloved Panto, the programme features a number of special highlights to accompany you at this special time of year.
Claire O’Leary, who wowed Cork audiences with her performance at The Cork Proms Broadway concert last summer, and more recently starred in the iconic Les Miserables, presents The Great American Songbook at Christmas (5 Dec). A Diva’s Christmas (4 Dec) brings you three of Ireland’s foremost sopranos as Majella Cullagh, Kelly Lonergan and Emma Nash accompanied by Michael Joyce on piano to present a night of festive cheer.
Always a highlight of the festive season, the annual Cork Opera House Christmas Concert (19 Dec) goes online this year. This event has become a favourite feature of the season and indeed a Cork Christmas tradition for many. Following sold out concerts for the last four years, this year’s event will take a different format as the best in local Cork talent come together to sing a range of festive classics streamed live to your homes this Christmas.
The programme comes to a close on New Year’s Eve with Mick Flannery (31 Dec) as he rings in the new year with what promises to be another powerful performance from the legendary Cork singer songwriter.
For the full programme of events visit www.corkoperahouse.ie
