The Tailor's Daughter
Grand Opera House
Wednesday 24th Oct , 1pm & 7.30pm

Rebekah Coffey is singing the title role in Brian Irvine's award winning opera.

The Tailor's Daughter, is 'coming home' with a cast and orchestra that will showcase the best of Northern Ireland's young musical talent. The opera, which was commissioned by Welsh National Youth Opera and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland was premiered in Cardiff in 2005 to widespread critical acclaim, winning Irvine a prestigious British Composer's award in 2006. With assistance from Arts Council of Northern Ireland's National Lottery Programme, Northern Irish audiences will be able to enjoy what is set to be one of the top musical experiences of the festival from one of Northern Ireland's world-class artists. Rebekah has been looking forward to working with Brian again following his Millennium Commission for North Down in which she sang. Rebekah is so pleased to be involved in such an exciting project to be staged at the Belfast Festival and she hopes that this is the first of many more opera productions in Belfast.

The opera is a gripping fairytale brimming with all kinds of secrets, magic and mystery. A tailor lives a quiet life with his young daughter in the forest, which he shares with the fairy kingdom. Much to the alarm of the tailor, his peaceful and contented way of life is lost forever with the arrival of a dashing young wolf who threatens to steal away his daughter's affections. Distraught, he watches on as his beloved daughter falls for the wolf and urged on by the darker elements of the fairy kingdom, he plots the wolf's downfall.

An orchestra of players, ranging from strings to saxophones, bass guitar and lots of percussion bring Irvine's energetic and imaginative music to life. Throw in Greg Cullen's clever libretto with the best young voices Northern Ireland has to offer and there's no question audiences are in for a unique
musical theatre experience.

Rebekah is really looking forward to the performances. “It has been really exciting so to work with the youth ensemble and to have the opportunity to create such a good piece of theatre. It is an opera for all ages, old and young. Even if you think opera is not your thing come along and give the genre a try”.

Look out for Northern Worman Interview 21st September 2007.