Between 2001 and 2017, these informal gatherings provided an opportunity for key participants who had provided a bedrock for opera in the capital for a half-century to gather together, recall past triumphs and share some sophisticated operatic humour! Above all, they were a chance for an otherwise disparate group of people who had formerly spent so much time almost living in each other’s pockets during the opera seasons to enjoy each other’s company once again.
It all began in a effort to commemorate the anniversary of Bill O’Kelly…
Below are some of the highlights from Opera Circle meetings:
BARRY O’SULLIVAN’S 85th – 28th September 2003
On 28th September 2003 we celebrated the 85th birthday of Chorister Barry O’Sullivan; as can be seen, Barry’s experience of performing in opera in Dublin stretched back as far as 1952 (he actually sang between 1948 and 1959, mostly as a chorister but with the occasional step-out role) – he was still in reasonable voice on his 85th!!
Ronnie Dunne pictured with Josephine Scanlon at a gathering to celebrate Ronnie’s contribution to operatic life in 2005
REMEMBERING O’KELLY, ANNOVAZZI AND LARCHET – 29th November 2009
It was always particularly heartening to welcome back distinguished soloists from the illustrious past of the DGOS, particularly those who remembered their professional association with Dublin so warmly. On 29th November 2009 a commemoration of the contrubutions made by Bill O’Kelly, Napoleone Annovazzi and John F. Larchet to opera in Ireland was held – amongst the ranks of distinguished Irish singers and DGOS choristers who attended – we were delighted by the generous participation of Ugo Benelli and Aurio Tomicich from Italy. The evening began with a mass of remembrance continued with a convivial reception at the United Arts Club which proved an occasion for memories stories from Veronica Dunne and Peter MacBrien (amongst others). Aurio Tomicich holds the record for the most performanes given by a principal artist with the DGOS: almost 150 performances in 35 operas in 4 langauges! Archive recordings from days gone by were played and live contributions were provided by Aurio himself (robust accounts of Sarastro’s aria In diesen heil’gen Hallen from “Die Zauberflöte”, Edelweiss from “The Sound of Music” and Il Lacerato Spirito from “Simon Boccanegra”) and Ugo Benelli (Tosti’s Malia and a’vuchella) with John Brady at the piano. Some video snapshots of the occasion were preserved…
It was a poignant occasion, made all the more significant by the death, less than a month later, of Aurio Tomicich suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in Rome.
Opera in Ireland 