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Opera Workshop launches in Limerick and is the first of its kind in the Midwest

Opera Workshop launches in Limerick and is the first of its kind in the Midwest – The Countess’ Salon, directed and produced by Shirley Keane is the first of what promises to be many opera productions in the mid-west for this new Limerick based opera company, Opera Workshop.

Opera Workshop launches in Limerick and is the first of its kind in the Midwest

Opera Workshop is brand new, emergent, hopeful and seeking to work with artists from all backgrounds interested in developing their practice through the art of opera.

Opera Workshop is Limerick’s first resident opera company. Limerick has had a love affair with opera over many, many years and now Opera Workshop is hoping to reinvigorate old favourites and break new ground in opera performance for Limerick city and county and across the Mid-west.


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Introducing the Countess de la Rose, a charming, witty, rich and recently widowed countess who loves to host musical evenings.  Her next Opera Salon will be held in the gorgeous Georgian Drawing Room of No 1. Pery Square and you are invited.   Meet her handsome and devoted nephew, enjoy glorious singing, but watch out for unexpected and unwanted visitors as the Countess’ past threatens to catch up with her.

The cast includes some of Limerick’s best-known singers, including Sarah-Ellen Murphy, Jean Wallace, Eve Stafford, Kevin Neville and Catriona Walsh, with piano accompaniment by Irina Dernova.

Dress up, dine and immerse yourself in the evening that is The Countess’ Salon, the No 1 Pery Square is offering a pre-opera 3-course special menu at €35 pp.

Directed and produced by Shirley Keane this is the first of what promises to be many opera productions in the mid-west for this new Limerick based opera company, Opera Workshop.

Shirley Keane is the Artistic Director and founder of The Opera Workshop. After 20 years in the UK, she says: “It is a wonderful time to be trying something new in Limerick.  I have come home to an energised city and county that is enthusiastic and excited by arts and culture.  And though opera is not new, nor is Limerick’s love of opera new, I hope that the work of The Opera Workshop will be refreshing, challenging and entertaining for Limerick audiences and artists.” 

As a new arts entity in Limerick, she believes that the possibilities for creating original cross-arts and vocal work are endless.  Her aim is to cultivate a company that develops high standard professional productions while simultaneously encouraging younger, newer, whenever possible, local musical talent.

There are many musicians from across the Mid-west who work on a professional and semi-professional basis in Ireland and internationally.  Opera Workshop’s aim is to provide the focus for a collective of like-minded artists interested in testing their skills, developing new productions, seeking opportunities to experiment, develop and share innovative ideas in opera performance.

 The Opera Workshop will have a strong community and outreach ethos and welcomes opportunities to work with schools and community groups interested in developing projects that serve their needs while exploring a vibrant, joyous and beautiful art form.

Tickets for performances of The Countess’ Salon must be pre-booked on [email protected]. Tickets cost €20 and €15 concession. The dates for the show are October 15, November 12 and December 10 at 8 pm each night.

To visit the official Facebook page for the Opera Workshop click here

To read more music stories on I Love Limerick click here

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.