THE LIMERICK Opera Festival has announced its programme of events for this year, with its bold motto promising “opera for all”.
The festival will run from May 4 to 25 and will feature a full programme of events throughout the month.
The festival will move through the streets as part of the Riverfest celebrations taking place across the May Bank Holiday Weekend, with four free live performances taking place on the Treaty streets on Saturday May 4.
Opera performances can be heard at Colbert Station at 12.30pm, the International Rugby Experience at 1.30pm, Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre at 2.30pm, and Lower Thomas Street at 3.30pm on Saturday.
Later in the month, the Catherine Hayes Gala Concert will be held in St Mary’s Cathedral, and will celebrate the life and song of world famous Limerick-born soprano, Catherine Hayes.
The concert will take place on May 25 at 7.30pm.
Founder and director of the Limerick Opera Festival, Ger Reidy, said that Limerick has a long association with opera.
“With a splendid operatic history, Limerick has produced many iconic figures of the operatic genre. Catherine Hayes, born at No 4 Patrick Street in 1825, who at the age of 15 was an opera star and would soon become the idol of Europe. Having trained in Paris and Italy, at age 20 she sang in La Scala, Milan,” he said.
“In more recent times, the city can lay claim to Suzanne Murphy who was born in Limerick in 1941. She was a member of the Limerick Choral Union.”
