As part of the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, with Dublin playing host to four of its matches, Irish National Opera have commissioned composer Brian Irvine to create a new work inspired by the football community in the city.

Irvine and director John McIlduff are seeking football fans in Dublin to share their stories. This will then form the basis of the new work. The project is also seeking to form a community chorus that will sing in the work at the National Concert Hall on 14 June 2020, during the football tournament. 

Speaking about the project, Irvine said:

We are thrilled to be involved in this project because it allows us to embark on a journey to examine and explore the parallels between football and singing – both profoundly group activities, both about individuals and communities, about doing, about lateral thinking, about expressing who we are and about making goals of many different kinds. And in that exploration I feel that we will make something that will open up the world of opera and the world of football to reveal something that we all understand and recognise as wonderful.

The project is a Dublin City Council Arts Legacy project as part of Euro 2020. Those interested in getting involved need no prior music experience, just an interest in football. Between now and December, the project is seeking people from clubs, five-a-side teams, fan clubs, walking football teams, women’s teams and parents of players. From January, members of the choir will be sought and they will take part in weekly rehearsals at NCH ahead of the performance. 

For more information and details on applying, visit: irishnationalopera.ie