2008
" Don Pasquale " by Donizetti
~ 27th & 28th June 2008 ~

Loughcrew Garden Opera was founded in 2000 to exploit Loughcrew's magnificent Garden location in promoting Opera in the Provinces. The project has captured the imagination of thousands and proved inspiring and very popular.

In 2000, the “Opera a la Carte” company, based in the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, performed Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” under the direction of Nicholas Heath.

The format was successful: two performances of the highest calibre in the spectacular Gardens, in a large marquee, “in the round” (ie with a central stage),and with a small orchestra and piano. The Garden Opera atmosphere was emphasised with picnic facilities, strawberries and champagne, while practical measures against the weather were taken.

The event, in aid of St. Patrick’s Hospital, Dublin, enjoyed neither subsidy nor sponsorship, and attracted standing ovations on both nights from capacity audiences of 550.

The outstanding success was due to the exceptional quality of performance from cast and orchestra and direction, and also from the intimate atmosphere deriving from the “in the round” structure and small auditorium. No seats are further than 12 rows from the stage.

The enthusiasm of the Millenium and subsequent audiences have given the promoters no option but to continue Loughcrew Garden Opera as an annual event. The format has remained broadly the same, notably retaining Opera a la Carte for all performances, but with increasingly elaborate production, lighting and scenery. Topical dress is encouraged, and becomes more elaborate each year, as do the interval picnics; comparisons with Glyndebourne are inevitable.

The Operas chosen are deliberately classical, popular and colorful: “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Rigoletto”, “The Barber of Seville”, “Cosi fan Tutte”, “Don Giovanni”, “La Traviata”, "La Bohème" and, this year, “Carmen” by Bizet. Sung in the original language, the performances produce an exceptionally enthusiastic response, even from professed non-fans. Typical comment: “I came under duress, but I was enchanted. I’m a convert!"