F
U
N
D
R
E
C
I
P
I
E
N
T
S
DAIRE'S CORRESPONDENCE
F
U
N
D
R
E
C
I
P
I
E
N
T
S
Dear Priscilla
This past year has been incredibly busy and exciting for me as a young singer. The bursary from the Anthony Kearns Music Fund allowed me to accept my place on the prestigious Opera Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. I’ve been living here for two years now and am thrilled with how it’s worked out. I am studying with Ameral Gunson who has been amazing. As part of the Opera Course at the Guildhall, I have sung numerous roles including Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro – Mozart), Papagena (Die Zauberflöte – Mozart), Adele (Die Fledermaus – Strauss), Servillia (La Clemenza di Tito – Mozart), Blonde (Die Entführung aus dem Serail – Mozart), Sophie (Werther – Massenet), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro – Mozart) and Leila (Les Pêcheurs de Perles – Bizet) in fully staged productions and scenes performances. I’ve had the opportunity to work with world class directors, conductors and coaches including Martin Lloyd Evans (Opera Holland Park), Alex Ingram (Welsh National Opera, English National Opera), Sian Edwards (English National Opera, Royal Opera House, Vienna Staatsoper), Susie Stranders (Royal Opera House) and Peter Rose (National Opera Studio) among others!
Outside of my work at the Guildhall, I’ve been involved in a number of performances including a solo recital for Friends of Britten in London, the world premiere of Jacob de Haan’s Cantico de Sancto Benedicto at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles conference (WASBE 2007), a recital tour of Japan with the New Crawford Piano Trio to celebrate 50 years of Irish diplomatic relations with Japan and entertaining the guests of the President of Ireland, Mary Mac Aleese at her residence. I also performed the roles of Belinda (Dido and Aeneas – Purcell) for the Yorke Trust and Despina (Così fan Tutte – Mozart) for Candlelight Opera.
At the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, we are currently preparing one of our showcase operas which we will perform in March. It is La Vie Parisienne by Offenbach and I am playing the role of Gabrielle – a smart Parisian glove maker. It promises to be a very exciting production. In my last term at Guildhall, I will play the role of Sylvie in La Colombe by Gounod. Attending the Guildhall School of Music and Drama has allowed me to develop as a singer and as a performer. Please pass on my thanks to all of the benefactors of the Anthony Kearns Music Fund who have made this possible for me.
Best wishes,
Daire Halpin
