The one and the other: NI Opera in new production of The Juniper Tree written jointly by Philip Glass and Robert Moran

In 1985, Philip Glass collaborated with fellow composer Robert Moran on The Juniper Tree, a chamber opera based on a tale by Brothers Grimm. The two composers collaborated almost equally, alternating scenes and sharing the responsibility for writing the transitions. The result is an intriguing hybrid, which comes after Glass' great trilogy of early operas (Einstein on the Beach, Satygraha, and Akhnaten) yet before better known chamber operas 

Northern Ireland Opera (NI Opera) is presenting a new production of the opera, directed by Cameron Menzies (NI Opera's artistic director) and conducted by Frasier Hickland in the Grand Theatre, Belfast's Studio Theatre from 21 to 24 February 2024, with a cast drawn from emerging singers who have been working on NI Opera's artist development programme including James Cooper, Mary McCabe, Rachael Heater, Jenny Bourke, Petra Wells, Desmond Havlin, Ryan Gamham, Paul McQuillan and Niamh Lavery. Further details from NI Opera's website.

Also as part of NI Opera's Studio series, the company is presenting a bit of fun for Valentine's Day. From 14-17 February 2024 they are presenting Cupid's Bow, a pastiche directed by Cameron Menzies with arias from well-known operas all in the new context of a cocktail bar, Cupid's Bow! Further details from NI Opera's website.