Local actors take to the stage at Opera House

Local actors take to the stage at Opera House

6 February 2013

A SERIES of local singing stars are taking to the stage of Belfast’s Grand Opera House this month for one of Wagner’s masterpieces.

Mary McCabe, Aaron O’Hare, Páidí Ó Dubháin, Gabriel Seawright and Shane McCormick are taking part in Northern Ireland Opera’s new production of The Flying Dutchman.

One of the grandest of grand operas, The Flying Dutchman is a feast for the eyes and ears, marrying thrilling drama and gorgeously romantic music.

The story is set on a stormy night in November, when a Norwegian sea captain encounters the Flying Dutchman — a ghostly sea captain doomed to sail the seas for all eternity. The two men strike a deal, but when things do not go according to plan, other lives are pulled into the resulting maelstrom.

Mary, Aaron, Páidí, Gabriel and Shane, all from Down, will be on stage as part of the 60-strong chorus, sharing the limelight with established opera stars including Bruno Caproni and Giselle Allen.

Mary, who is from Downpatrick, said: “I’m really excited about singing in The Flying Dutchman.

“It’s an incredible opera and an amazing spectacle, and it will be great to see friends and family at the Grand Opera House supporting us.”

Director Oliver Mears said: “It’s fantastic to have such a large chorus of brilliant singers from all over the country.

“This is going to be an unmissable, spectacular production, and hopefully the matinee performance on Sunday, February 17 will allow people from all over Northern Ireland to travel to Belfast and see it.”

There will be two performances of The Flying Dutchman, on February 15 at 7.15pm and February 17 at 2pm. Nicholas Chalmers will be conducting the Ulster Orchestra.

Tickets start at £19.25, and can be booked through the Grand Opera House’s box office on 028 9024 1919 or at www.goh.co.uk.