The National Symphony Orchestra is pleased to present Lurline, the exquisite grand opera by Waterford-born William Vincent Wallace in a concert performance. Based on the Lorelei legend of the Rhine mermaid, Lurline is Wallace’s most lyrical and Romantic work and one of his most lavish and dramatic operas.

The cast is led by Irish soprano Rachel Kelly, – ‘sheerly lustrous’ and ‘compelling’ (The Times), the Portuguese tenor, Luis Gomes – a ‘riveting performer’ with a ‘thrilling top register’ (The Guardian), Ashley Riches – the ‘rich and profoundly expressive bass-baritone’ (Opera Today) and the young Irish mezzo-soprano Gemma Ní Bhriain, – ‘restrained…musicianly…solid as a rock’ (Irish Times). The performance marks the Irish debut of the highly regarded Péter Halász, principal guest conductor of the Hungarian State Opera.

William Vincent Wallace was one of Ireland’s most distinguished nineteenth-century opera composers. He was also the first Irish musician to travel the world, playing his compositions on the piano and violin wherever he went. His first opera, Maritana, was presented in London in 1845 and proved a huge success. Others followed, including Lurline – performed to rave reviews; nonetheless, no modern performances of Lurline have taken place until now.