Opera in the Open 2024

Opera in the Open is an initiative of Dublin City Council that presents live performances of operatic work in the open air in Dublin City Centre

Opera in the Open returns for its 25th year this August! The annual opera season is taking place on the last 4 Thursdays of August at the Dublin City Council Civic Office Amphitheatre, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.

Each opera performance is presented in an abridged format, narrated in English, and lasts one hour, fitting perfectly into the lunchtime slot from 1 to 2pm. Attendance is completely free of charge, and all are welcome!

The Amphitheatre features a raised stage, seating areas, and grassy verges perfect for a picnic lunch. It is conveniently accessible from Winetavern Street and space is made available for wheelchair users. Attendees are encouraged to bring cushions, blankets and camping chairs for additional comfort if desired.

Opera in the Open shows beyond doubt that there is a substantial audience for opera in Dublin. Here in the heart of the city, there's no better way to enjoy summer in Dublin than by enjoying an aria or two at lunchtime each Thursday throughout August.

The 2024 programme details are below, with more details to follow.  Please note there is no Opera in the Open on Thursday 1st of August

The 2024 programme

8th August - Faust (Charles Gounod)
15th August - Hansel and Gretel (Engelbert Humperdinck)
22nd August - Cox & Box (Arthur Sullivan)
29th August - Puccini Gala, marking the 100th anniversary of the composer's death and celebrating the 25th anniversary of Opera in the Open

Faust - Gounod

Faust - William Pearson
Marguerite - Deirdre Masterson
Méphistophélès - Brendan Collins
Valentin - David Scott
Siebel - Sarah Kilcoyne

Musical Director/Piano - David Wray
Director - Peter McCamley

Faust is a five act opera written by Charles Gounod and is based, somewhat loosely, on Goethe’s Faust, Part One. The story concerns Faust, an ageing scholar who has devoted his life to studying. As he reflects on his life, he feels that nothing has come of his devotion. He contemplates suicide and, as he is about to do so, he curses God and asks the devil to appear. Mephistopheles, the devil, appears and tempts Faust with an image of a lovely young woman, Marguerite, and Faust makes a deal with the devil. The deal will make Faust young again, as the devil will give Faust life on earth and, in return, Faust must spend eternity with Mephistopheles in Hell. Faust lusts after Marguerite and eventually wins her over. His thirst for youth has left him with little care of the consequences others will face. Marguerite becomes pregnant, causing her brother, Valentin, to challenge Faust to a duel. Faust, with Mephistopheles’ help, ends up killing Valentin. Marguerite later kills her child and is imprisoned. Faust is let into the prison by Mephistopheles and the two men tell Marguerite they will get her out. Marguerite, however, tells them she would prefer her fate to be in the hands of God. Her faith eventually saves her and she ascends to heaven.

Hansel and Gretel - Humperdinck

Hansel - Sarah Kilcoyne
Gretel - Shauna Buckingham
Mother/Witch - Sandra Oman
Father - Simon Morgan
Dew Fairy - Niamh McCann
Sandman - Paul Michael Rimmer

Musical Director/Piano - David Wray
Director - Mary MacDonagh

Two children, Hansel and Gretel, have been left alone in the house to work at making brooms. Furious to find they have been wasting their time dancing and playing instead of working, their mother sends them out into the forest to gather strawberries. When the children’s father returns, a ‘little inebriated’ after a good day at the market, he is horrified to learn that they have gone in to the woods, rumoured as an abode of a wicked Witch who lures children with promises of sweets, turns them into gingerbread, and eats them. In the forest Hansel and Gretel have again wasted time eating more strawberries than they have gathered, and now night is approaching. Gretel is terrified by the dark shadows among the trees, and Hansel admits that he has lost their way. But the Sandman appears to put the children into a peaceful sleep. After saying their prayers, they settle down, no longer afraid. In the morning, the children are awakened by the Dew Fairy. Looking around, they see a magnificent cottage made of gingerbread and candy. When they break off a piece of this to eat it, however, the Witch appears and places the children under a spell. She begins to fatten Hansel on more candy, while making Gretel do her chores. But eventually, the clever Gretel learns the magic spell and uses it to secretly release Hansel. So when the Witch tries to trick Gretel into the oven, Hansel is able to creep up and help his sister push the Witch in instead! The worried parents finally catch up with their children.

Cox & Box - Sullivan

James John Cox - Fearghal Curtis
James John Box - Simon Morgan
Sergeant Bouncer - Adam Cahill

Musical Director/Piano - David Wray
Director - Peter McCamley

Sergeant Bouncer, a landlord, is letting his flat to two different lodgers, Mr. Cox and Mr. Box, neither of whom knows about the other. Cox, a hatter, works all day; Box, a printer, works all night; so they never come in contact, except that they occasionally pass on the staircase. Cox has noted that he supplies of tea, sugar, coal etc. keep disappearing but Bouncer suggests it was the cat! Box comes home that night, lights his fire, takes out some bread and lies down on the bed for a catnap. Cox re-enters, having gotten a day off from his employer. He is delighted to find a roll on the table, but surprised to find the fire already lit.  General mayhem ensues. Each suggests the other should leave but neither will budge. Finally, they realise that it is all Bouncer's fault, and they may as well be friends. They serenade each other on the guitar.  They soon discover however that they share more than a flat...

Puccini Gala 

to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the composer’s death and the 25th anniversary of Opera in the Open.

Arias and scenes from Pucicni’s much loved works including Tosca, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, Turandot, Gianni Schicchi - all of which have been presented by Opera in the Open over the past 25 years!
Cast includes Sylvia O’Brien, Sandra Oman, Deirdre Masterson, Shauna Buckingham, Simon Morgan, Richard Shaffrey

Director - Mary MacDonagh
Musical Director - David Wray

Creative Team

Directors: Peter McCamley (Faust, Cox & Box), Mary MacDonagh (Hansel and Gretel, Puccini Gala)
Musical Director: David Wray
Hair and Make-up design: Ali Murphy
Sound Design: Audio Services

For more information on Opera in the Open 2024, please contact artsoffice@dublincity.ie