Culture
Savoy Hotel and Opera Workshop bring lunchtime delights with special concert series this Thursday, March 21
Roisin Walsh and Dean Power perform at the February edition of the Savoy Hotel and Opera Workshop lunchtime concerts. Photo: Shane Vaughan
The Savoy Hotel and Opera Workshop have been creating some opera magic with delicious lunchtime specials rich in operatic flavour
The Savoy Hotel and Opera Workshop are delighted with the success of the first concert in a new lunchtime initiative in Limerick this Spring, Opera Delights at the Savoy.
In February, soprano Rosin Walsh, tenor Dean Power and pianist Aoife Moran, provided the musical dessert to a wonderful lunch with arias and songs from some of the world’s favourite operas. Getting on his knees to serenade, Dean Power delighted the audience with Lehar’s ‘You Are My Heart’s Delight’. There was even a tear or two shed when Roisin Walsh, as Mimi tried to hide her broken heart with ‘Donde lieta usci’, from La Boheme. Hearts were mended with The Merry Widow Waltz and a standing ovation from a delighted audience.
Opera Workshop does it all again on the 21st March with the same excellent lunch provided by The Savoy and a new line up of performers. Limerick baritone Owen Gilhooly Miles and Kerry, mezzo-soprano Leanne Fitzgerald are joined by well-known Limerick pianist Eoin Scanlon performing thrilling scenes from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Verdi’s ‘Un Ballo in Maschera’, with some familiar songs and delightful duets.
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The Savoy and opera seem a natural fit considering the array of performances staged on the site now occupied by this stylish, go-to venue and popular Limerick hotel. Since 1935 the Savoy as a cinema and theatre hosted a range of classical music events from screenings of concerts by the Berlin Philharmonic to tours by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Co. Visiting and home-based companies staged musicals, operetta, grand opera and many musical galas were all enjoyed here at various times in the 50-year history of the Savoy.
Opera Workshop is Limerick’s only opera production company and a leading light in contemporary opera in the Mid West. The company is in the midst of preparations for the world premier of The Ballybruff Trilogy by Luke Byrne and Shirley Keane at The Belltable Theatre in May 2024.
As if they are not busy enough, they are enjoying serving up these operatic appetisers in such a wonderful venue as The Savoy.
‘We were delighted with the response to our first concert in February’, says Opera Workshop Artistic Director, Shirley Keane. ‘Our audience just enjoyed the whole experience, from the excellent lunch through to the final dramatic chord.’
The concerts may well become a seasonal event, with tickets selling fast for this second and final concert of the Spring Season of Opera Delights at The Savoy.
Next concert – Thursday 21st March 2024. Audiences can expect to enjoy lunch in the Savoy Bar from 12.45pm, with the concerts taking place in The Library from 1.15pm, wrapping up by 2pm.
Tickets are €25 and include lunch of soup, sandwiches, tea and coffee.
Tickets must be booked in advance online via Ticket Tailor.
Read more about Opera Workshop
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