---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Opera Theatre Company <[log in to unmask]>

The Emperor of Atlantis
Sponsored by The Goethe Institut, in association with Kilmainham Gaol

Ireland's leading touring company, Opera Theatre Company, once again takes
opera out of the confines of the theatre to present the Irish premiere of
the haunting twentieth century masterpiece The Emperor of Atlantis, in
Dublin's infamous Kilmainham Gaol.  The production is the third and final
opera in OTC's acclaimed Czech Season for 2002.

The Emperor of Atlantis was written in extraordinary and tragic
circumstances. Composer Viktor Ullmann and librettist Petr Kien were
prisoners of the 'model' concentration camp at Terezin in 1942. Though
they rehearsed the piece, a planned performance of their pointed one-act
satire on the Nazi regime had to be censored for fear of the Germans'
reaction. The score was smuggled out of the camp by another prisoner and
it only received its premiere in 1975, some thirty years after composer,
writer and performers perished after being transferred to Auschwitz.

Ullmann's brilliant cabaret-style score combines the biting wit of Weill
with the lush, poignant lyricism of Berg. This site-specific promenade
production makes innovative use of this historic venue and promises to
give audiences an opera experience with a difference. All performances
will be sung in English.

John Fulljames, one of Britain¹s most exciting young directing talents
(Covent Garden, Bilbao, Almeida Opera), teams up with Lighting Designer
Giuseppe di Iorio and Costume Designer Caroline Bronwen Hughes.

Derry born conductor John Page makes his opera debut. Cast includes Derry
mezzo Emer McGilloway (Drummer Girl); Wexford tenors Declan Kelly
(Harlequin) and Eamonn Mulhall (Soldier); bass Paul Reeves (Loudspeaker)
and contemporary music specialists Omar Ebrahim (Death) and Geoffrey
Dolton (Emperor) with rising Irish star soprano Sinead Campbell (Girl).

All performances are preceded by an illustrated introduction to the opera
presented by conductor John Page and an optional guided tour of the Gaol
is also available each evening (places limited, so booking is essential).

Booking now open.  Tel: 01-670 8326 / 028 9023 8060  / Lines open
Monday-Friday 9.30am-5.30pm

The Emperor of Atlantis
Thursday 19, Friday 20, and Saturday 21 September 2002
- Tour of Kilmainham Gaol 7.00pm / Tickets: Euro 2
- Pre-concert talk by Conductor John Page, 7.45pm (Admission Free) (limited
to 60 seats)
- Performance 8.30pm / tickets Euro 15 / Conc. Euro 11

Opera Theatre Company is funded by The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon
& The Arts Council of Northern Ireland