RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Claudia Boyle Soprano
John Finucane Conductor

Donizetti Overture to Don Pasquale
Donizetti ‘O luce di quest’anima’ from Linda di Chamonix
Auber Overture to The Bronze Horse
Bizet ‘Comme autrefois’ from The Pearl Fishers
Gounod ‘Je veux vivre’ from Roméo et Juliette
Delibes Cortège de Bacchus from Sylvia

Adam Overture to Si j’étais Roi
Charpentier ‘Depuis le jour’ from Louise
Delibes Les filles de Cadix
Verdi Overture to I vespri siciliani
Verdi Prelude to Act 3 of La traviata
Verdi ‘È strano!… Sempre libera’ from La traviata

Hailed as ‘captivating in the truest sense of the word’ (Opernwelt), internationally renowned Irish soprano Claudia Boyle attracts plaudits and praise wherever she performs – which makes her appearance with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra in A Night at the Opera not to be missed.

A concert of opera’s most glorious, heart-stopping arias finds Boyle’s ‘gripping sense of drama and thrilling soprano radiance’ (What’s On Stage) to the fore in one sparkling jewel after another by timeless titans of opera including Verdi, Donizetti, Charpentier and Bizet.

Love in all its compelling passion is here: Donizetti’s ‘O luce di quest’anima’ (Linda di Chamounix) a song of young love lit up by shining coloratura ecstasy, Gounod’s waltz-like ‘Je veux vivre’ (Roméo et Juliette) an exultant declaration of romantic conviction, Bizet’s yearning ‘Comme autrefois’ (The Pearl Fishers) a forlorn recollection of love lost.

From the beginning of the 20th century, Charpentier’s Louise imbued the new verismo fashion for gritty reality with soaring melodies and searing emotions. Its standout aria, ‘Depuis le jour’, finds love blossoming as dawn breaks over the city of love itself, Paris.

Kissed with Spanish sun, Delibes’ Les filles de Cadix is an exquisite exercise in flirtation, Verdi’s ‘È strano!… Sempre libera’ (La traviata) a dazzling soprano showpiece aching with emotion.

Overtures by Donizetti, Auber, Adam and Verdi find the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra taking centerstage for some of opera’s greatest orchestral moments.