The National Symphony Orchestra and Heritage Music Productions have announced that a concert performance of Irish composer William Vincent Wallace’s 1860 opera Lurline will take place on 26 July at the National Concert Hall.

The performance, produced by Una Hunt with direction and design by Vivian Coates, will see the full score presented, reconstructed by Valerie Langfield.

Wallace (1812–65) was one of Ireland’s best known nineteenth-century opera composers. His first opera Maritana was presented in London in 1845. Others followed, including Lurline, but no modern performances of this opera have taken place.

Based on the Lorelei mermaid legend of the Rhine, Lurline is a lyrical work, Romantic in style. The cast in July will be led by soprano Rachel Kelly, Portuguese tenor Luis Gomes, British baritone Ashley Riches and mezzo-soprano Gemma Ní Bhriain. The performance will be conducted by Péter Halász, principal guest conductor of the Hungarian State Opera.

The performance of Lurline, which is supported by the Arts Council’s Opera Projects award, was originally intended for June 2022 but was cancelled due to the pandemic.

For booking, visit www.nch.ie.

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