Scenes and interludes from Fergus Johnston's new opera, The Earl of Kildare, will be performed by the RTÉ NSO on 27 February.

The creation of a new Irish opera is a rarity, and the plot of this work is based on the historical figure of Silken Thomas (Thomas Fitzgerald, the 16th century Earl of Kildare and deputy Governor of Ireland) and his disastrous revolt against the rule of King Henry VIII. Patriotism, treachery, love and intrigue abound in a highly dramatic story.

The concert, conducted by Scottish composer James MacMillan, also includes the Irish premiere of a Percussion Concerto by Jennifer Higdon with leading British percussionist Colin Currie. Other works are Giya Kancheli's Symphony No. 5 and three Interludes from MacMillan's own opera, The Sacrifice.

Fergus Johnston's composition covers a wide range of instrumental music, ranging from solo works to large pieces written for the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. A member of Aosdána, he has previously composed a short and well-received chamber opera for Opera Theatre Company, Bitter Fruit. The Earl of Kildare will be his most ambitious operatic project to date.

A special €5 ticket is being made available by RTÉ to students, which includes access to the performance, the final rehearsal at the NCH (11:15am on the morning of the performance) and a pre-concert talk at 6.45pm prior to the performance. Students should book their tickets directly through the NCH box office, tel. 01-417 0077 and www.nch.ie.

Information: Orlaith Doheny, tel. 01 208 2617, email Orlaith.Doheny@rte.ie.

For further details please visit the Calendar.

Posted: 17 February 2009