The national opera house organizes the tour “The Lighthouse” in Bray

The Irish National Opera will stage ‘The Lighthouse’ at the Mermaid Arts Center in Bray on December 7 as part of a nationwide tour.
Written by Edwina Casey and performed by tenor Gavan Ring, baritone Ben McAteer, bass John Molloy and the Irish National Opera (INO) Orchestra, the opera takes audiences on a journey to the Fladda Islands in Scotland, where a lighthouse mysteriously goes out. When a supply ship visits the island, the crew find the building in order, but the three keepers are missing.
Ring, McAteer and Molloy, in multiple roles, explore the psychological state of rebellious men, relive an official investigation, and project a supernatural explanation. The opera composer, the late Peter Maxwell Davies, who based the structure of the opera on the “Tower of the Tarot”, leaves no simple answers.
Created in 1980 as part of the Edinburgh Festival, “The Lighthouse” is inspired by a true story that took place in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland in 1900.
INO Artistic Director Fergus Sheil said: “We are delighted to return to theaters and audiences across the country with live performances of ‘The Lighthouse’, a haunting and very atmospheric opera.
“The three singers in the cast deliver virtuoso and extreme performances, and the 12-piece orchestra evokes rich soundscapes ranging from seascapes unleashed by storms to confrontations fueled by madness. As the drama unfolds, we delve deeper and deeper into the psychosexual, religious, and violent impulses of the three lighthouse keepers sparring. No one knows the truth of what happened, but Maxwell Davies paints a startling and disturbing picture of individuals pushed to the brink of existence.
“The opera will be staged at eight venues across Ireland, from Tralee to Letterkenny, and we hope our audiences enjoy this new production of an opera masterpiece.”
Meanwhile, Elaine Kelly will lead the INO Orchestra and has been appointed to the new position of Resident Conductor. In this role, she will work as a conductor, assistant conductor and choir director in INO productions from 2021 to 2023. Kelly is a multiple award-winning choir and orchestra conductor.
‘The Lighthouse’ will be sung in English with English subtitles. The show will start at 8 p.m. and will last approximately 75 minutes. Tickets cost € 30 / € 27.
To book or for more information, visit mermaidartscentre.ie.