Irish National Opera

Vivaldi’s L’Olimpiade

A co-production with Royal Opera House, London and Nouvel Opéra Fribourg in partnership with Irish Baroque Orchestra

OLD PARTNERS, NEW PARTNERS, AND A HAPPY ENDING

Four young people, one an Olympic champion. Tangled relationships. Forbidden love, twice over. An unsuccessful assassination. An execution avoided. And a royal father who has to accept his children as they are.

L’Olimpiade is the third Vivaldi opera from Irish National Opera, and follows on from the resounding success of Griselda in 2019, and Bajazet in 2022 (a co-production with the Royal Opera House) for which Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra won an Olivier Award for outstanding achievement in opera. 

Set against the backdrop of the ancient Olympic games, L'Olimpiade explores themes of love, rivalry, and sacrifice, offering singers super-human acrobatic challenges that showcase the composer's unparalleled musical prowess. 

The stellar cast features an array of Irish and international talent, including mezzo-soprano Gemma Ní Bhriain (Megacle), countertenor Meili Li (Licida), and mezzo-soprano Alexandra Urquiola (Aristea), mezzo-soprano Sarah Richmond (Argene), baritone Chuma Sijeqa (Clistene), soprano Rachel Redmond (Aminta) and baritone Seán Boylan (Alcandro).