Composed collectively by Elis Czerniak, Sinéad Finegan and Norah Walsh, the Contemporary Music Centre’s ‘pop up’ opera Beneath Iseult’s Tower was commissioned specially for Culture Night 2017. The theme of this ‘pop up’ opera is Tristan and the Irish Princess Iseult, after whom Isolde’s Tower in Wood Quay is named.

Working with these composers, Producer Síobhra Quinlan of OTC Opera Hub, Mentor Michelle O’Rourke and Deviser/Performer Bríd Ní Ghruagáin will bring Beneath Iseult’s Tower from blank page to world premiere on Culture Night. The role of Iseult will be sung by Bríd (mezzo soprano), and all three of the composers will also perform in the opera - Norah on piano, Sinéad on violin and Elis on electronics and percussion. Mellow Tonics will provide the chorus for the opera, and CMC staff will fill out the ranks of the cast, as required.

The world premiere of Beneath Iseult’s Tower will take place at 6.30pm on Culture Night (22 September 2017) in CMC’s historic building on Fishamble Street, which lies in the shadow of Isolde’s Tower in the heart of Dublin’s Cultural Quarter.

In addition to an outdoor performance at 8.00pm when the opera goes 'on tour’ to DCC’s Wood Quay Amphitheatre, additional performances of the opera will be held at CMC throughout Culture Night. Exact performance times of additional performances at CMC to be confirmed, but there will be plenty to see and hear backstage at CMC throughout the night in between performances.