A unique blend of opera, contemporary orchestral music, street art and animation: The Scorched Earth Trilogy

For The Scorched Earth Trilogy, a trio of new operas by composer Brian Irvine and librettist John McIlduff, creative production company Dumbworld and Irish National Opera are collaborating on three short works that offer a unique blend of opera, contemporary orchestral music, street art and animation, presented as a mapped video and sound installation which have been designed to be experienced in public spaces, with the audio transmitted to wireless headphones.

The three works in the trilogy, Trickledown Economics, Won’t Bring Back the Snow and Revival, will make their debut in Dublin on 25 and 26 March 2022, allowing members of the public to reimagine the spaces where they are being projected. The three works tackle some of the most pressing social, political and human issues we face today, in a radical and challenging way. 

The three pieces each feature a cast of opera singers (and two actors) accompanied by the Irish National Opera Orchestra, conducted by Fergus Sheil (artistic director of Irish National Opera). Librettist John McIlduff directs with designs by Katie Davenport, video design by Conan McIvor and VFX by Enda O'Connor. 

Dumbworld is is an artist led, multi-disciplinary production company that uses opera, animation, orchestral oratorio, arts installation and virtual reality to create contemporary performance art. The company was founded in 2009 by Brian Irvine and John McIlduff.

The Scorched Earth Trilogy by Dumbworld, co-produced by Irish National Opera takes place from 8pm-10.30pm on 25 and 26 March at The Berkeley Library, Trinity College Dublin. Tickets are free but pre-booking via the INO website is essential. And there are plans for the works will tour.