The Importance of Being Earnest stage premiere

This month sees the first fully staged production of Gerald Barry's The Importance of Being Earnest opera at France's Opéra national de Lorraine. The production, which is directed by Sam Brown, receives its premiere on St Patrick's Day, 17 March, in Nancy, France, with four further performances that week. Further fully staged productions will take place over the next two years at London's Royal Opera House, NI Opera in Belfast and New York City Opera.

The Importance of Being Earnest has won huge praise from critics internationally since its unstaged concert premiere in 2011, and has been performed in a number of venues across the US and UK to date. A co-commission with London's Barbican and Los Angeles Philharmonic, the libretto was adapted from the original Oscar Wilde story by the composer himself.

A recording of the Barbican's performance of The Importance of Being Earnest conducted by Thomas Adès is planned for release on NMC Recordings. The recording will be be funded as a result of the label's Opera Appeal.