Final curtain for popular opera
CASTLEWARD Opera – which hosted its farewell performance at the weekend – has said it will continue to entertain classical fans providing sufficient funding is secured.
The final curtain came down on the Co Down festival, one of the highlights of the province's cultural calendar, after its 160,000-a-year funding from the Arts Council was pulled.
Castleward Opera, an annual month-long event on the edge of Strangford Lough, was set up in 1985 by a group of opera enthusiasts.
The Arts Council has now replaced it and the County Down Opera Fringe with a new body, Opera Company NI, which it promises will "reinvigorate local opera and raise its profile in the years ahead".
Castleward Opera held farewell gala concerts on Friday and Saturday for a 200-strong crowd, performing highlights from the company's 25-year repertoire.
Yesterday, artistic director and founder member Ian Urwin said: "It was a goodbye and a thank-you to all the people who have supported us over the past 25 years – we just thought it was the right thing to do.
"It was very emotional, not just for the performers but for the audience too. Some people came to watch our first performance 25 years ago and have been with us ever since."
Castleward Opera performed throughout the darkest days of the Troubles, attracting a loyal audience from across the UK.
Mr Urwin said: "Around 20 per cent of our audience came from outside Northern Ireland, we have a very loyal following."
Mr Urwin said the company could be tempted back to the stage if the 160,000 required could be secured to fund Castleward's 60-plus performers and musicians.
"If that were to happen, we would be very happy to continue providing artistic entertainment. You just never know," he said.
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Tuesday 14 February 2012
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