La vera costanza

Programme note by director Hélène Montague

La vera costanza was first performed at the Esterhazy court, where Haydn was employed, in 1779. It was subsequently revived in 1785, the score having been reconstructed by Haydn, after a fire destroyed the court theatre in late 1779.

The plot is full of unlikely events and improbable incidents, foolish fops and misunderstandings. At the heart of the story stand two strong women, Rosina, a fisherwoman who is the shining example of true constancy and the Baronessa Irene, a self-righteous member of the aristocracy. Five years ago, the Conte Errico, the nephew of the Baronessa, married and then abandoned Rosina, who has always remained faithful to him. However, the Baronessa is resolutely sure of her ability to get her own way and deprive Rosina of any pretensions to her nephew, Errico.

The unusual heroine Rosina, whose nobility of mind is paired with her strength of character, is constantly berated and abused by the titled and entitled and has only her brother Masino, a fisherman, to protect her. Meanwhile, the Marquis Ernesto, a friend of Errico, is in love with the Baronessa. The Baronessa decides that before she gives into Ernesto’s request, she must marry Rosina to Villotto, a foolish yet fashionable fop. The love story between Rosina and Errico is at the heart of the opera and they eventually overcome all the obstacles placed in their way.

Lisetta, chambermaid to the Baroness, another woman of guile and perception, becomes intrigued by Masino and sets out to seduce him, while being sympathetic to Rosina’s plight. In our version there are also four ensemble members of the Baroness’s household:

Fiori, her gardener, Balia who used to be the Count’s nursemaid, Dottore who is her physician and Valletto the valet to Villotto. They run the household and observe everything.

The noted musicologist Marc Vignal remarked of La vera costanza in his examination of ‘Seria and Buffa’:  “By the nature of its libretto, the freedom and variety of its arias and the scale and richness of its end-of- act finales, this work breaks from the tradition of Italian comedy and steps boldly into the world of which Mozart, beginning with Figaro (1786) was to scale the highest peaks”.

Synopsis

Act I


In a terrible storm, a small boat makes an emergency landing at a fishing village, and the Baroness Irene, the Marquis Ernesto, the fop Villotto and the baroness's maid Lisetta are rescued by the local fisherpeople, Rosina and her brother Masino. The Baroness had in fact being trying to find Rosina, as she had heard rumours that her unpredictable nephew had previously had a relationship with her. Irene plans to marry Rosina off to Villotto, and meanwhile has promised her own hand to Ernesto if this succeeds. However, the Baroness and her shipwrecked party are quite unaware that not only did Errico marry Rosina five years previously, but a child was born subsequent to Errico's departure. Irene attempts to persuade Rosina to accept Villotto; Rosina suffers the torment of loyalty to an absent and possibly indifferent husband. Unexpectedly Errico returns and threatens to shoot Villotto. Ernesto attempts to support the Baroness’s ploy and threatens Masino with death unless he persuades his sister to accept her new suitor. Errico cruelly tests his wife’s constancy by speaking heartlessly. Villotto admits that he has decided to give up on marriage and go to war. The Count responds with a military aria likening love to a battle. Rosina confides the history of her relationship with Errico to Lisetta. She appeals to the Baroness for mercy to no avail. Masino and Villotto are quarrelling and Lisetta advises them to hide from Errico and Ernesto; terrified, they run away. Rosina challenges Errico to either return to her or to kill her, but instead he admits that he still loves her. The Baroness is angry to find them together, and shows Errico a portrait of an intended bride – when he admires the painting, Rosina is convinced that she has lost him for ever.

Act II


Masino and Villotto exchange insults. Ernesto appeals to Rosina; his happiness depends on her acceptance of Villotto. His declaration that only she can bring him happiness is however overheard and misconstrued by the Baroness and Errico: they both turn on Rosina, as do Villotto and Lisetta, and she decides to leave with her son. Errico, enraged at her apparent infidelity, commands Villotto to find and kill Rosina and her brother. Lisetta realises the deception and persuades Errico that Rosina is faithful. Errico is horrified at what he has done, and goes to look for her. Rosina hides from her pursuers. Masino arrives looking for her, and falls asleep exhausted. Villotto is about to kill him when he is stopped by Lisetta. The Baroness and Ernesto arrive and everyone goes in search of Rosina. Errico finds a small boy alone. Rosina arrives and tells him that this is his son. He begs forgiveness of Rosina and embraces them both. The Baroness and her entourage enter and berate them once again.

Act III


In a final attempt to separate the couple the Baroness sends Errico and Rosina forged letters, each apparently signed by the other. However, they see through the trick, and they declare their renewed love. The Baroness finds the happily reunited family and is forced to accept Rosina as her nephew’s wife. She keeps her promise to marry Ernesto.

La vera costanza

  • Rosina: Kelsie Irving (14th & 17th), Eva Kavanagh (15th & 18th)

    Baroness Irene: Lanyi Yan (14th & 17th), Éadaoin Hassett (15th & 18th)

    Lisetta: Abbey McGiff (14th & 17th), Ashton Murphy (15th & 18th)

    Conte Errico: Rory Lynch (14th & 17th), Aidan Atkinson (15th & 18th)

    Ernesto: Evan Myles Byrne

    Masino: Boyu Liu

    Villotto: Ceallachán McDonald (14th & 17th), Nagaer Ha (15th & 18th)

    Marinari: Rupert Ward

    Balia: Isuelt Law

    Dottore: Chin Lin Tracy

    Valletto: Maeve Sullivan

    Fiori: Jonathan Blake

  • RIAM OPERA ORCHESTRA

    1st Violin: Jason Yuzhe Qiu, Maxim Novojilov, Nataliya O Neill, Youhan Wu, Yan Shpak

    2nd Violin: Jasmin Gallagher, Julia Antolec, Jingbin Ma

    Viola: Shane Quinn, Erin Thornton

    Cello: Doireann Ní Aodáin, Andres Vaccaro 

    Double Bass: Teng Su

    Flute: Elizabeth O'Shea, Maiia Shpak

    Oboe: Ziming Dong, Natalia Connolly

    Bassoon: Aidan Murphy*, Ates Kirkan*

    Horn: Javier Fernandez, Cian Kelly

    Timpani: Yunan Ling

    Continuo: Connor Wilcox

    *orchestral dep        

  • Conductor: Andrew Synnott

    Director: Hélène Montague

    Lighting Design: Matt Burke

    Répétiteur & Continuo: Connor Wilcox

    Movement Director: Diane Richardson

    Assistant Director: Cian Malin

    Opera Role Coaching: Brenda Hurley

    Italian Diction Coaching: Annalisa Monticelli

    Projection Design: Rose Masterson (IADT student)

    Sound Design: Daniel O’Brien

    Creative Producer RIAM: Kathleen Tynan

    Associate Producer RIAM: Conleth Stanley

    IADT Production Designers: Laura Malready, Antonia Popova, Roisin Breslin, Jessica Irving, Muireann O'Keefe, Saskia Miller, Faye Langan, Rose Masterson, Bryce Manoovaloo Ciara Walsh, Aine Hargaden, Erin Heavey, Grace O'Sullivan

    IADT Modelmakers: Sarah Cahill, Harry Courtney, Livia Martin

    IADT Costume Designers:
    Sol Brophy - Villotto and Balia
    Lucjan Lewandowski - Baronessa and Lisetta
    Noa Bernal Whelan - Rosina and Fiori
    Alannah Henry - Masino, Marinari and the Fishermen
    Jake Conroy - Dottore and Valletto
    Tadhg Herbert - Errico and Ernesto

    IADT Hair & Make-Up:
    Designers - Daisy Doolan, Erika Murphy 

    Artists - Erin Laxton-Smith, Katie Durney, Orlaith Gavin 

  • Production Manager: Paddy McLaughlin

    Production Coordinator IADT: Ciara Murnane     

    Stage Manager: Sarah Wiley

    Assistant Stage Manager: Susan Crawford      

    Costume Supervisor: Katherine Michael

    Wigs, Hair & Make-Up Supervisor: Carole Dunne

    Chief LX / Operator: Emily O’Riordan

    LX Technicians: Cathal Brace, Sophie Cassidy, SJ Williams

    Master Carpenter: Abraham Adams    

    Stage Tech/ Rigger: Pavel Nieworaj

    Set Maker: Ste Bourke

    RIAM Orchestra Manager: John Forde

    RIAM Piano Technician: Feena Lynch 

    Production Intern Lir: Amelia Hauer

    Surtitle Operator: Emilia Russo            

    Transport: Van Go Enterprises, Hanway Piano Movers

    LX: QLX

    Photography: Mark Stedman  

    Videography: James Byrne

    Edition: Universal Edition 17084

  • RIAM Marketing    

    Maketing Manager: Mark Mahoney        
    Marketing & Development Executive: Adam Kendellen 
    Digital Content Marketing Executive: James Byrne

    RIAM Faculty Heads
    Diane Daly - Head of Strings
    Ross Lyness - Head of Wind, Brass & Percussion
    Kathleen Tynan - Head of Vocal Studies & Opera 
    Peter Tuite - Head of Keyboard

    For RIAM: Mary Brennan, Dearbhla Collins, Laoise Doherty, Imelda Drumm, Owen Gilhooly-Miles, Ciara Higgins, Arif Islam, Deborah Kelleher, Virginia Kerr, Lynda Lee, Gus McNamara, Ruth Meehan, Sylvia O’Brien, Sylvia O’Regan, Philip Shields

  • IADT Design Tutors
    Alan Farquharson – Production
    Liam Doona – Production
    Pamela Heaney - Costume
    Peter O'Brien – Costume
    Tina Phelan – Hair, Make-Up
    Shirley Casey – Visual Communication
    Ronald Hamilton - Visual Communication

  • Abbey Costume Hire, Anne O'Mahony, Ian Hannon, The Lír, Irish National Opera, Gavin O’Sullivan, Maura O'Keefe, Once Off Productions, Everyone at The Samuel Beckett Theatre

CAST

  • EVAN MYLES BYRNE

    Evan Myles Byrne, tenor, is in Year 4 of the BMus in Performance (Vocal) at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), studying with Dr. Imelda Drumm.

    Previous Roles for RIAM: The Man with the Shoe-Sample Kit in Argento’s Postcard From Morocco.

    Operatic Roles – International Role Debut as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni by Mozart (2024) at the Vienna Opera Academy, performed in the Mozarthaus, Musikverein Concert Hall, and Borromäus-Saal Hall. Role of Fernando in Così fan tutte by Mozart (2024) at the same venues. Basilio and Don Curzio in Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart (2023) at the Saluzzo Opera Academy in Italy.

    Notable Engagements – Performed as Juan Peron in Evita in Concert (2022) with the National Symphony Orchestra at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, conducted by John Rigby. Produced and performed in One Night From Ireland (2022), Chorus for Guillaume Tell (2022) with Irish National Opera (INO) at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.

    Prizes and Awards – Winner of the Tenor Solo Cup, Feis Ceoil (2024); Second Place, Dramatic Cup, Feis Ceoil (2024); Winner of the Thomas Moore Cup, Feis Ceoil (2023).

    Notable Original Compositions – Composer of CATHBAD, an original opera in three acts, based on Irish mythology, with libretto and music completed in 2023.

  • BOYU LIU

    Boyu Liu, baritone, is in Year 1 of the MMus in Performance studying with Virginia Kerr and Andrew Synnott.

    Previous Roles for RIAM: Man with a Cornet Case in Argento’s A Postcard from Morocco.

    Notable Engagements - Chorus, Rossini’s Guillaume Tell and Verdi’s Rigoletto with Irish National Opera (INO). Chorus, Verdi’s Macbeth for Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF).

    Prizes and awards - Winner of the Vincent O’Brien Cup at the Feis Ceoil, Dublin (2023). Winner of the Lieder Competition at the Wicklow Feis (2023). Winner of the Baritone Solo Competition at Feis Ceoil Competition, Dublin (2024).

  • LANYI YAN

    Lanyi Yan, soprano, is a Recital Artist in Music Performance studying with Sylvia O’Brien and Dearbhla Collins.

    Previous Roles for RIAM: Barigoule in Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon, Maura Redmond in Stephen McNeff’s Sprits Unsurrendered, and Sirena in Francesca Caccini’s La Liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina.

    Notable Engagements - Musician in Residence in St James's Hospital RENEW foundation 2024. Soprano Soloist of Erasmus Orchestra 2024.

    Prizes and Scholarships - 1848 Scholarships from RIAM. First Prize and Interpretation Special Prize for Vivaldi International Music Competition (2024), Honourable Mention for OPUS International Art Song Competition (2024).

    Forthcoming Engagements - St Ann's Recitals- Solo Recital and Chamber Music (2025). Soprano Soloist of Orchestral Concert with Tianjin Symphony Orchestra- Night of Mozart (2025).

  • AIDAN ATKINSON

    Aidan Atkinson, tenor, is in Year 2 of the MMus in Vocal Performance, studying with Owen Gilhooly-Miles and Andrew Synnott.

    Previous Roles for RIAM: He returns to the Irish stage following his premiere with the Royal Irish Academy of Music as Le Prince in Cendrillon by Pauline Viardot (2023). 

    Notable Engagements:
    The Gondoliers at the Harrogate Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in 2022, and Don Curzio in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, at the Sheldonian Theatre with the Oxford Opera Society. Chorus for Irish National Opera, soloist in Bach’s Magnificat with Dublin City Choral Union and in Bach’s Cantata BWV 61 with Dublin Bach Choir.

    Forthcoming Engagements:
    The Bohemian’s Musical Society and St. Mary’s Church, Beaconsfield as part of their recital series.

  • RORY LYNCH

    Rory Lynch, tenor, is in Year 2 of the MMus in Performance studying with Dr Imelda Drumm and Dearbhla Collins.

    Previous Roles for RIAM: the Man with a Paintbox, Argento’s Postcard from Morocco. 

    Operatic Roles - Danilo in Erlanger’s L’Aube Rouge, and Nemorino in Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love for Wexford Festival Opera, and Beppe in Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci for Wexford Festival Opera Factory.

    Notable Engagements – Wexford Festival Opera – Factory (YAP) member (2024/2025). Savonlinna Opera Festival Chorus Member (2024). Chamber Choir Ireland – member since 2022. Soloist for G.F. Handel’s 
    Messiah – Dublin Bach Singers. Soloist for Edward Elgar’s The Light of Life – Culwick Choral Society. Evangelist for J.S. Bach’s Johannes Passion – Choir of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. 

    Prizes and Scholarships - Blackwater Valley Opera Festival | Royal Irish Academy of Music Next Generation Award (2023–2025).

    Forthcoming Engagements – 2025 programme with Chamber Choir Ireland.
    Savonlinna Opera Festival - Chorus Member 2025. Wexford Festival Opera – Factory member (2025).

  • ÉADAOIN HASSETT

    Éadaoin Hassett, soprano, is in 1st Year of the MMus Vocal Performance, studying with Prof Mary Brennan, Dr Andrew Synnott and Dearbhla Collins. She also receives regular coaching from Brenda Hurley.

    Previous Roles for RIAM: Sighle Humphries in McNeff’s Spirits Unsurrendered and Maguelonne in Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon.

    Operatic Roles  - Mystery, Juno, First Fairy and First Lady in Purcell’s The Fairy Queen for Sligo Baroque Music Festival and Korkyra Baroque Festival in Korčula, Croatia.

    Notable Engagements - Soprano Soloist in Mozart’s Coronation Mass for Dublin Choral Union. Soprano Soloist in Healing the Brokenhearted for Tallaght Choral Society’s Concert, Fauré’s Requiem, Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living and Lita Grier’s Healing the Brokenhearted - A Requiem for Terenure College Chapel.

    Prizes and Scholarships - Finalist in the David Clover Festival of Singing Competition (UK), the Margaret Burke-Sheridan Award (Feis Ceoil) and the Irené Sandford Award for Singers (RIAM). In the Feis Ceoil, she was awarded the Soprano Solo Cup, and in the Irené Sandford Competition was awarded the Diane Carey Prize for Best Performance of a French Mélodie in addition to receiving 2nd place overall. Éadaoin is also the recipient of a bursary from the Count John McCormack Society and an honorary member of the Bohemian’s Club.

    Forthcoming Engagements -  Celebrating the Voice: A Valentine’s Day Song Recital.  Irish National Opera Chorus in Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman.

  • EVA KAVANAGH

    Eva Kavanagh, soprano, is in Year 3 on the BMus, studying with Kathleen Tynan and Dearbhla Collins.

    Previous Roles – Concert soloist at Farmleigh House, the John Field Room (NCH) and Killruddery House as part of the Veronica Dunne Summer Festival of Opera.

    Operatic Roles - Rosina in Haydn’s La vera costanza with RIAM Opera is her operatic début.

    Notable Engagements - Finalist at the 2024 Birr Festival of Music and recipient of the ‘Canto al Serchio’ Prize. Selected for the Winterlied Academie Programme in Leipzig 2025. Recipient of a scholarship to the Daniel Ferro Vocal Programme in Greve, Italy.

    Prizes and Scholarships -Winner of the Plunkett Greene Cup, the Young Cup, the Thomas Moore Cup,and the Marchant Cup at the 2024 Feis Ceoil. Finalist in the Gervase Elwes Competition at Feis Ceoil 2024 and recipient of the prestigious John McCormack Bursary. First prize winner in the 20th Irené Sandford Award for Singers and the Gráinne Dunne prize for the best performance of a German Lied in the same competition.

  • ABBEY MCGIFF

    Abbey McGiff – soprano, who is in Year 4 BMus studying with Virginia Kerr and Dearbhla Collins.

    Previous Roles for RIAM - Katherine Follen in McNeff’s Spirits Unsurrendered, Ensemble in Viardot’s Cendrillion.Scenes from: Despina in Mozart’s Cosí Fan tutte and Susanna in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, and Yum-Yum in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado (RIAM Opera Snapshots).

    Other Roles: Eliza Dolittle in Lerner’s My Fair Lady and Maria in Bernstein’s West Side Story.

    Notable engagements - Soloist at Castleknock Music Festival summer concert 2024, Performer in RIAM‘s ChamberFest Dublin 2024, Soloist in Cloudsong by Bill Whelan in RIAM 175th Anniversary concert, RIAM live from my Living Room 2020, Clontarf concert series 2020.

    Prizes and Scholarships - Placed 3rd in the Irené Sandford competition 2024, Winner of the Count John McCormack Vocal Recital at Feis Ceoil 2024, Winner of the Castleknock Music Festival Vocal Recital 2023, Winner of the Thomas Moore Cup in Arklow Music Festival 2023, 2nd place in the Irené Sandford competition 2022, and the overall vocalist Rosebowl winner in Feis Ceoil 2019.

  • KELSIE IRVING

    Kelsie Irving, soprano, is in Year 2 of the MMus in Performance studying with Virginia Kerr and Dearbhla Collins.

    Previous Roles for RIAM: Mrs. Stack in McNeff’s Spirits Unsurrendered, Baronne du Pictordu in Viradot’s Cendrillon. For the University of Arizona (UA): Die Mutter  in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel.

    Notable Engagements - New York City Recitals April 2023: Five Recitals with RIAM Percussion Ensemble. Musical Guest artist for the Wagner Society of Ireland.

    Prizes and Scholarships - Winner of the Patricia Eberhart Aria Prize during the Irené Sandford Award 2024. Third Place Finalist during the Irené Sandford Award 2023. Third Prize during the Amelia Rieman competition at the University of Arizona.

    Forthcoming Engagements - Erasmus Leipzig Winter Academy February 17th-21st.

  • ASHTON MURPHY

    Ashton Murphy, soprano, is in Year 4 of the BMus studying with Lynda Lee and Dr Andrew Synnott.

    Previous Roles for RIAM – Chorus in Argento’s Postcard From Morocco, Viardot’s Cendrillon, McNeff’s Spirits Unsurrendered and Whitbourn’s Annelies.

    Operatic Roles - Spring, Night, Second Woman, Second Fairy Purcell’s Purcell’s The Fairy Queen for Sligo Baroque Music Festival and Korkyra Baroque Festival in Korčula, Croatia. Katie McDaid in Brian Foster’s A Miracle in Donegal, a touring music drama. Peep Bo in Rathmines Rathgar Musical Society’s production of in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera, Penny in Hairspray, Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Jemima in CATS and Roxie Hart in Chicago.

    Notable engagements - Soloist at the RIAM 175th Anniversary Gala Concert, RIAM Baroque Christmas Concerts, Bray Choral Society, the Rathmines & Rathgar Musical Society Choir.

    Prizes and Scholarships - Next Generation Mentoring Programme 2024-25 with Sestina Music. 2019 AIMS Award for Best Female Singer. 2021 AIMS Anne O’Neill Educational Bursary. 2021 Young Talent Award at the Derry Journal People of the Year Awards. Patrick Hurley award in her Performance Exams.

  • CEALLACHÁN MC DONALD

    Ceallachán Mc Donald, bass is in Year 2 of the Recital Artist Program studying with Kathleen Tynan and Annalisa Monticelli.

    Previous Roles - Opera Snapshots scenes including Don Alfonso in Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte, and Osmin in Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail.

    Operatic Roles - for RIAM: Oswald in Purcell’s King Arthur and Grandfather Clock in Viardot’s Cendrillon.

    Notable engagements -  Novafeltria 2023 Summer Course under Ubaldo Fabbri. Daniel Ferro program in Greve in Chianti 2024.

    Prizes and Scholarships - 2023 Feis Ceoil Bass solo 1st prize and finalist in John McCormack Cup 2023.

  • RUPERT WARD

    Rupert Ward - boy soprano, 9 years, 3rd form at St. Conleth’s College.

    Musical Experience –Junior RIAM student in Cello and Recorder. Piano Grade 1.

    Musical Ensembles - Chorister in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Junior RIAM Orchestra.

    Interests - Piano, Hockey, Sailing

  • NAGAER HA

    Nagaer Ha, bass-baritone is in Year 1 of the MMus in the Performance studying with Dr. Imelda Drumm and Dearbhla Collins. Previous studies include a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Performance, 2023, Hunan Normal University.

    Operatic Roles – this is his first opera role as Villotto in Haydn’s La vera constanza.

    Prizes and Scholarships – Gold Prize- London Young Musician 2023, Prize winner at the Russian and Pushkin Poetry Festival, 3rd prize at the 3rd Mongolian-Chinese Bilingual Recitation Competition.

  • ENSEMBLE

    CHIN LIN TRACY - soprano - is a 3rd Year BMus student studying with Dr. Sylvia O'Brien and Dearbhla Collins.
    Operatic Roles for RIAM: Ensemble Spirits Unsurrended by Stephen Mc Neff, Opera Snapshots 2024 - Contessa from Le nozze di Figaro
    Previous Roles - Saluzzo Opera Academy 2023 - Barbarina/Bridesmaid, Vienna Opera Academy 2023 - Sandman/Dew Fairy
    Notable engagements -  2023 - Saluzzo Opera Academy and Vienna Opera Academy

    ISEULT LAW - soprano, is studying on the Diploma in Vocal Performance and Teaching under the tuition of Dr. Sylvia O'Brien. In 2024 she completed her LL.B in Law and Business at Trinity College Dublin.
    Previous experience - With a background in musical theater, Iseult makes her debut performance in the opera ensemble
    Notable engagements - Lay vicar in Christ Church Cathedral as well as performing with ensembles including the Irish Youth Choir. 

    JONATHAN BLAKE - baritone-bass is in Year 3 of the BMus under the tuition of Lynda Lee and Dr. Andrew Synnott. 
    Previous experience - NSO Philharmonia Chorus for Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony. Sweeney Todd, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and South Pacific.
    Operatic Roles - This is their debut opera performance in the ensemble.

    MAEVE SULLIVAN - soprano is in Year 1 of the MMus studying with Prof. Mary Brennan and Dearbhla Collins. 
    Previous roles - Rosina in Scarlatti’s Il trionfo dell’onore, with which she toured northern Italy as part of the Voci nel Montefeltro festival, and Mércèdes in Bizet’s La tragédie de Carmen.
    Notable engagements - chorus of Mendelssohn's Elijah with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and performing in concert as a soloist for Gandhi 150: The Legacy of Peace celebration at The Field Museum of Chicago, where she had the honor of singing for the living family members of both Mahatma Gandhi and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

CREATIVE TEAM

  • HÉLÈNE MONTAGUE - DIRECTOR

    Hélène Montague LTCL FTCL was born in Stockholm and moved to West Cork where she was educated at home with Music as first subject. Both her parents danced with the Royal Swedish Ballet, and she studied dance and theatre from an early age. Moving to Dublin at age 16 she studied piano with Dorothy Stokes and composition with James Wilson. Her first Musical Direction was The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny by Brecht/Weill for Trinity Players. She is a founder member of Rough Magic Theatre Company and has worked frequently with them as an actor, musician, musical director and voice director.

    She has worked widely as a freelance actor and musician for theatre radio tv and film. She is a freelance director for opera and theatre.

    She directed the premiere of Kevin O'Connell's Opera DreamCatchr in 2019 for RIAM which has now been filmed in collaboration with IADT (co-directed with John Comiskey) and has just been screened as part of the Dublin international Film Festival 2024.

    In November/December 2021 she appeared as Music Director in All the Angels by Nick Drake for Rough Magic Theatre Company in Smock Alley Theatre. She co-directed (with John Comiskey) the film of Gráinne Mulvey’s Great Women in the Throne room of Dublin Castle. In July 2022 she was director and dramaturg on the premier production of Slow Recognition, composed by David Bremner. She directed the premiere of Gráinne Mulvey’s SCAM in the ‘Dock’ in Carrick on Shannon with Elizabeth Hilliard as the soprano in November 2022. In April 2023 she directed the premiere of Ailís Ní Ríain’s Refuse to be Wrecked in the Richmond Barracks and a staging of Grainne Mulvey’s Great Women as part of New Music Dublin, also with Elizabeth Hilliard.

    Hélène has been teaching Theatre and Musical Theatre in Inchicore College since 2007, she also teaches acting for singers on the BMus in the Royal Irish Academy of Music

  • ANDREW SYNNOTT - CONDUCTOR

    Andrew Synnott is a composer and conductor based in Dublin. He has conducted operas for Irish National Opera, Wexford Festival Opera, Opera Theatre Company and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. 

    He is a former artistic director and conductor of Crash Ensemble, a group he co-founded in 1997. He has conducted many orchestras and choirs, including Chamber Choir Ireland, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and the RTE Concert Orchestra. In January 2015 he conducted the premiere of his first opera, Breakdown, in the NCH in Dublin. His second opera, Dubliners, was premiered at Wexford Festival Opera in 2017 and was nominated for an Irish Times Theatre Award in the Best Opera category. 

    His opera, La cucina, commissioned by Wexford Festival Opera in 2019 became the first by a living Irish composer to be performed on the main stage at the festival. He has had two further operas staged at the Wexford Festival as part of his tenure as Composer in Residence—What Happened To Lucrece (filmed and broadcast digitally as part of the 2020 festival) and The Fortyseventh Saturdaystaged at the 2021 festival. Recent performances of his work include Waiting for Elvira for piano and orchestra premiered at the New Music Dublin Festival in May by the RTECO with Michael McHale on piano, I follow I follow.. for string quartet and flute, 3 Songs for Gertie premiered in December in Paris and Asylum for symphony orchestra and chorus, written for the opening of the new concert hall in TU Dublin also in December. Andrew is a vocal coach at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and is chorus master at Wexford Festival Opera.