The Belfast Opera Announces Cast
Posted on: 14th April 2016
The Belfast Opera today has announced the cast for the World Premiere of its opera, which will tell the story of the City.
Internationally acclaimed singer Bruno Caproni, who grew up in Northern Ireland, is cast in the lead role.
“I’m thrilled to be coming back to my hometown,” Mr. Caproni said. “I grew up in an Italian family in North Belfast and I know the unique spirit of this place. The commissioning of an opera about a City is a very major event, and I am honoured to take part.”
Mr. Caproni studied at the Royal Northern College of Music before launching a career that has seen him perform all over Europe. He has appeared as a leading Verdi baritone in many of the world’s major opera houses including La Scala Milan, Vienna Staatsoper, The Metropolitan Opera New York, and the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
Starring alongside Mr Caproni are three young Irish singers at key stages of their professional development: Rebecca Rodgers, soprano, Bríd Ní Ghruagáin, mezzo-soprano, and award winning tenor, Ross Scanlon.
The Belfast Opera has been composed by Neil Martin, with a libretto written by Glenn Patterson.
They said: “We want Belfast’s people to get involved and help us produce a spectacular showcase for Belfast as a city of ambition and confidence in June 2016. Over three exciting phases of exploring, singing and creating, this city-wide initiative is your chance to get involved and celebrate Belfast.”
The creators took the city’s world-class industrial and commercial heritage as their cue. “We want The Belfast Opera to capture the spirit of ambition and creativity that made Belfast great. It will tell a new story about Belfast: of a city no longer filled with doubt and uncertainty but driven by purpose and confidence.”