NSO: Lurline - Concert Performance

National Symphony Orchestra 
Péter Halász, conductor  
 
Rachel Kelly, Lurline  
Ashely Riches, Rheinberg  
Luis Gomes, Count Rudolf  
Gemma Ní Bhriain, Ghiva  
Thomas D. Hopkinson, Zelieck, a Gnome  
Rory Dunne, The Baron Truenfels  
Anna Brady, Liba   
William Pearson, Wilhelm  
Lurline Opera Chorus  

Vivian Coates, director/designer  
Duncan Brickenden, chorus master  
Valerie Langfield, score reconstructor  
Edward Holly, repetiteur  
Una Hunt, producer

William Vincent Wallace Lurline (concert performance)

The National Symphony Orchestra is pleased to present Lurline, the exquisite grand opera by Waterford-born William Vincent Wallace in a concert performance. Based on the Lorelei legend of the Rhine mermaid, Lurline is Wallace’s most lyrical and Romantic work and one of his most lavish and dramatic operas. 

The cast is led by Irish soprano Rachel Kelly, – ‘sheerly lustrous’ and ‘compelling’ (The Times), the Portuguese tenor, Luis Gomes – a ‘riveting performer’ with a ‘thrilling top register’ (The Guardian), Ashley Riches – the ‘rich and profoundly expressive bass-baritone’ (Opera Today) and the young Irish mezzo-soprano Gemma Ní Bhriain, – ‘restrained…musicianly…solid as a rock’ (Irish Times). The performance marks the Irish debut of the highly regarded Péter Halász, principal guest conductor of the Hungarian State Opera. 

William Vincent Wallace was one of Ireland’s most distinguished nineteenth-century opera composers. He was also the first Irish musician to travel the world, playing his compositions on the piano and violin wherever he went. His first opera, Maritana, was presented in London in 1845 and proved a huge success. Others followed, including Lurline – performed to rave reviews; nonetheless, no modern performances of Lurline have taken place until now.

Produced by Una Hunt with direction/design by Vivian Coates, the performance is a co-production by the National Symphony Orchestra and Heritage Music Productions, supported by the Arts Council’s Opera Projects and Production Award. This co-production was originally intended for performance in June 2022. It was regrettably cancelled at a very late stage due to issues related to Covid-19. The opportunity to reschedule it and to finally present the this magnificent work makes this occasion all the more significant.

Co-production of National Symphony Orchestra & Heritage Music Productions with funding from the Arts Council