Artist in residence

17 July 2024

Hailed as ‘one of opera’s chosen’ (Arts Desk) and ‘the new bel canto queen’ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung), Tara Erraught is a mezzo-soprano at the very top of her game.

With a repertoire stretching from the Baroque to bel canto, Tara’s outstanding voice has taken her to the world’s leading opera houses and concert halls. This season she will sing in France, Germany, Spain, England, America and Hong Kong.

As an NCH Artist-in-Residence this season, Tara returns home for three major events spotlighting her own outstanding talent and allowing audiences and young artists to explore the world of opera with creative and practical insights.

Her dazzling coloratura will be heard in virtuosic works by Mozart, Haydn and the pioneering Marianne von Martínez (November 1), her lyrical and dramatic gifts in arias by Mozart and Puccini and the lavish bel canto of Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini (Limerick, May 1; Dublin, May 2).

Celebrating the Voice – a week-long professional development programme of vocal coaching, seminars, discussions and performances – will see Tara lead an in-depth focus on an area close to her heart: guiding and supporting young artists in the early stages of their career. With several events open to the public, it promises to be a fascinating opportunity to eavesdrop on the behind-the-scenes considerations and everyday concerns involved in building a singing career, from accountancy and personal business management to vocal health, the employment landscape, and audition technique.

Guest contributors include experts from various important sides of the business: pianists Dearbhla Collins and Morgane Fauchois-Prado, Opéra National de Paris director Alexander Neef, artist manager Andreas Massow, and vocal health expert Paul Kwak. The week culminates with opportunities to hear young artists performing in piano-accompanied song recital and with the National Symphony Orchestra (February 10-14).