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Dungannon has a new Opera star in the rising. Fans of opera were treated to a lunchtime fest as Gemma Prince, from the town and three other members of NI Opera's Young Artists' programme, took part in Opera for Lunch at The Black Box in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter recently.

The young singers performed classic arias from well known operas such as "The Marriage of Figaro" and The Merry Widow", together with more unusual pieces illustrating the great operatic themes of love, tragedy, revenge and betrayal.

The sell out event was held as part of the Out to Lunch festival, and the audience was visibly moved by the artistry of Gemma and her three fellow singers, Pàidi O Dubhàin, Mary McCabe and Marcella Walsh.

This was the first time that Out for Lunch had staged an opera event, and Festival Director Sean Kelly was delighted by the lunchtime crowd's response. He told the Courier: "This is definitely something we'll do again. The audience today proves that people are hungry for opera presented in an affordable and accessible way."

The four young singers at the lunchtime event were selected as the first participants in NI Opera's Young Artists' Programme, giving them a year of coaching, career guidance and performance opportunities. Said Gemma, "All four of us are learning so much, and performing today in front of a sell out audience has been yet another highlight in a most amazing year."

Next up for the young stars is the opportunity to under study roles for NI Opera's forthcoming production of "The Turn of the Screw", Benjamin Britten's spine-chilling adaptation of the Henry James novella. Added Gemma: "I'm really excited to be part of this production, and I'm particularly hoping to see lots of local supporters when we bring it to the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh. I'd really encourage anyone who's never been to an opera to give it a go if the Belfast crowd are anything to go by, we think you'll like what you hear!"

Gemma is a soprano from Dungannon and is a graduate from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where she studied with Lynne Dawson.

Gemma currently studies with Mary Plazas and has sung in Plazas and has sung in master classes with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Malcolm Martineau, Paul Farrington and Marie McLoughlin.

Gemma has recently sung the role of Antonia in "The Tales of Hoffmann" with Preston Opera, has covered the role of the Mother in "Hansel and Gretel" with NI Opera and has sung in the Chorus of NI Opera's production of "Tosca". Recent performances include Soloist with Merge Dance United at the Belfast Festival at Queen's; Soloist with Stoke on Trent Male Voice Choir and Soprano Soloist at the Mary Wakefield Festival.

NI Opera was formed in 2010, with a mission to provide the highest quality opera to the widest possible audience and to promote young Northern Irish talent. NI Opera's new production of "The Turn of the Screw" will appear at The Turn of the Screw" will appear at The Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey on 2nd March; the Riverside Theatre, Coleraine on 3rd March; the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh on 10th March and the Lyric, Belfast on 20th March.

Source: Tyrone Courier
Date: Wednesday 1st February 2012