Carlow Local Authorities are committed to the provision of
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Phone: 059 9170300
Opera for Carlow Wins Arts Award
Carlow Local Authorities were successful at the ' Allianz Business to Arts Awards ' on September 5th. ' Shelter Me From the Rain ' won the overall award for ' Best Use of Creativity in the Community '.
The Allianz Business to Arts Awards recognise businesses, artists and arts organisations that develop creative partnerships, bringing the arts and artists into the workplace and building mutually beneficial sponsorship relationships.
Opera for Carlow Shortlisted in the Allianz Business to Arts Awards 2011
Opera for Carlow Reception 5th May 2011
A chorus opera for singers of all ages and abilities.
" Carlow Local Authorities are proud of this unique Opera project ‘ Shelter me from the Rain ’ – A field guide to love in an Irish town. It is one of the largest public art commissions ever in Ireland and it is the first Opera to be commissioned by a Local Authority. The scale and ambition of this project reflects Carlow’s ambition as a leading county in local arts development which has been demonstrated by the investment made by the Carlow Local Authorities, particularly in our flagship arts venue, VISUAL and the GBShaw Theatre." ( Cllr. William Paton )
Opera for Carlow
Carlow Local Authorities developed a new public art music commission through its Per Cent For Art scheme. This scheme allowed the use of 1% of local authority construction budgets ( roads, housing, drainage etc. ) to commission artworks for the public. To date Carlow Local Authorities have commissioned many visual arts works in this way, but this is the first music commission.
Conductor Fergus Sheil lead the project that was artistically unique and challenging, but which involved a broad range of different participants from all walks of life. This was done with a unique type of opera, a large-scale singing project, featuring locally based singers, both experienced and new. Singers of all backgrounds were encouraged to take part in this large community choir that was rehearsed on a weekly basis from September 2010 to May 2011.
Background
Take part in an exciting new venture – the first ever largescale singing project in Ireland written for community involvement targeted at singers of all ages with and without previous experience. Written specially for Carlow by composer Brian Irvine, this opera will portray a day in the life of County Carlow, reflecting the experiences of people in many contexts.
- Weekly rehearsals began in September 2010 with performances in the GB Shaw Theatre in May 2011.
- Up to 100 singers are sought from all walks of life and all backgrounds.
- Special training courses were held.
- Workshops, voice production, musical training opportunities for community participants.
- Performances involved the National Symphony Orchestra.
- First venture of its kind in Ireland. It will be featured on KCLR and RTE Lyric FM.
Auditions, Information sessions were held in the GB Shaw Theatre on 26th June 2010 and in Tullow and Bagenalstown on the 27th June 2010. Participants took part in a 2-hour session involving background information, group singing, vocal exercises, drama workshops etc. Those who wished had the opportunity to sing a solo song, but this is not compulsory. Any song is possible; traditional, popular, classical, folk etc.
Contact Arts
|
| Sinead Dowling |
County arts officer |
059 9170301 |
sdowling@carlowcoco.ie |
| Ann Scully |
Clerical officer |
059 91 36204 |
ascully@carlowcoco.ie |