On 10 November Naomi Louisa O’Connell, singer/librettist and 2022 artist-in-residence at glór (in Ennis, Co. Clare), hosts an evening of performance and chat with composer Emma O’Halloran and pianist Gary Beecher. Asking questions like “How do you write a song? Or an aria? Or an opera? How do you make your voice do THAT?”, they hope to reveal the artistic process of writing music that speaks to us today. The evening will include new material developed at glór, as well as a chance to engage with the artists.

In summer 2022, Naomi Louisa O’Connell was awarded a Music Network RESONATE grant to explore the creation of new work with composer Emma O’Halloran. During their time at glór, Naomi and Emma have begun developing a new opera. This is one of six RESONATE partnerships being held with arts venues around the country.

“I’m delighted to be taking my first steps as a librettist here at glór,” says Naomi Louisa O’Connell, “Emma and I have often talked about building an opera which is set in contemporary Ireland and focuses on themes that are directly relevant to us. I am looking forward to inviting a live audience into our process. The team at glór has been very supportive and we are grateful to Music Network for enabling us to begin this exciting journey.”

An excerpt from the work-in-progress will be performed as part of this behind-the-curtain event.

Thursday 10 November 2022, at glór, Ennis, 8pm. Tickets (€15/€12) are available at glor.ie