Veronica Dunne VDISC

Happy New Year to all our friends and followers! 🎉 Starting 2026 on a high note, we are delighted to announce that our annual Gala Dinner for Opera Lovers will take place on Valentine’s Day at The Honorable Society of King’s Inns! 💖 Featuring two of Ireland's finest operatic talents, @prfionamurphy , soprano, and @seanboylanmusic , baritone, accompanied by @dearbhlacollins_piano , this glamorous, black-tie evening will commence with a wine reception at 7.30 PM, followed by dinner and entertainment. Tickets and tables are on sale now and available to book by contacting [email protected] or [email protected]. We hope to see all you opera lovers soon! 🥰 #galadinner #operalovers #operalover #opera #ireland #valentinesday #operasingersofinstagram #kingsinns #piano #singing #classicalmusic

A special message from former VDISC winners Nadine Sierra(2013) and Grisha Martirosyan (2022) 🎉 🎶 These two incredible performers describe their fond memories of competing in Dublin and encourage you to get your applications in! 3 weeks left to apply for the 2025 Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition ⏰ Application Deadline 13th September. Full information on vdiscompetition.ie (🔗 in bio) @nadine.sierra @martirosyangr #veronicadunnecompetition #opera #operacompetition #soprano #tenor #baritone #bass #operasingersofinstagram #classicalmusic

It's RTÉ lyric fm's 27th birthday! 🎉 We are celebrating today with a special programming event, New Generation Voices, showcasing some of Ireland's most exciting emerging vocal talent. The initiative highlights the station’s ongoing commitment to supporting and promoting the next generation of opera singers. Broadcast across the day, each programme will feature a rising star, offering listeners an opportunity to experience fresh voices at a pivotal stage in their careers. Featured artists include baritone Seán Boylan (Meath), soprano Deirdre Higgins (Offaly), and tenors Patrick Hyland (Kildare), Seán Tester (Louth), and Cathal Mc Cabe (Dublin). Each singer has been invited to collaborate with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra under the direction of conductor Gavin Maloney, culminating in a series of specially recorded aria performances. Tune in to Marty in the Morning, Niall Carroll's Classical Daytime, Aedín in the Afternoon and Lorcan Murray's Classic Drive and discover the voices shaping the next chapter of Irish vocal performance. @seantester_tenor @seanboylanmusic @deirdrehiggins.soprano @cathalmccabetenor @patrickhylandtenor @rteconcertorchestra @vdiscomp @riamdublin @griffithcollege @royalfestivalhall @royalalberthall @nationalsymphonyorchestrairl @irishnationalopera @dutch_national_opera_academy @operanorth @guildhallschool

New Generation Voices celebrating 27 years of RTÉ Lyric FM! | May 1st 2026 🎉 Tune in tomorrow to @rtelyricfm for their day-long birthday broadcast showcasing the future voices of Irish classical music. 📻 The Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition is thrilled and excited to partner with LyricFM in this full day of specially recorded aria performances by Ireland’s rising opera talent, accompanied by the @rteconcertorchestra under conductor Gavin Maloney.🎶 Listen out for the following performances from VDISC singers this Friday, 1st May: 🌅Marty in the Morning 7.00 AM - 10.00 AM: Avant de quitter ces lieux from Gounod's Roméo et Juliette performed by Seán Boylan (baritone) ⛅Niall Carroll's Classical Daytime 10.00 AM - 1.00 PM: Lunge da lei from Verdi’s La Traviata performed by Cathal McCabe (tenor) 🌞Aedín in the Afternoon 1.00 PM - 4.00 PM: E lucevan le stelle from Puccini's Tosca performed by Patrick Hyland (tenor) 🚕Lorcan Murray's Classic Drive 4.00 PM - 7.00 PM: Una Furtiva Lagrima from Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore performed by Seán Tester (tenor) & Song to the Moon from Dvořák's Rusalka performed by Deirdre Higgins (soprano) 📸Studio photos credit: @steflynnirl #RTÉlyricfm #NewGenerationVoices #VeronicaDunneInternationalSingingCompetition #IrishClassicalSingers #operasingersofinstagram

Introducing Deirdre Higgins. This Friday, May 1st, RTÉ lyric fm marks its 27th anniversary with a special programming event, New Generation Voices, showcasing some of Ireland’s most exciting emerging vocal talent. This initiative is presented in association with the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition. Soprano Deirdre Higgins has been a member of the Irish National Opera Studio since 2023. Her experience with INO includes covering key roles such as Mimì in La Bohème (Puccini) and Marguerite in Gounod’s Faust and she has sung the role of Giannetta in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore.

Introducing, Patrick Hyland. This Friday, May 1st, RTÉ lyric fm marks its 27th anniversary with a special programming event, New Generation Voices, showcasing some of Ireland’s most exciting emerging vocal talent. This initiative is presented in association with the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition. Patrick Hyland, an award-winning Irish tenor, has performed globally in prestigious venues such as Glyndebourne Opera House and The Royal Albert Hall. He has also collaborated extensively with Irish National Opera, the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra. #NewGenerationVoices #lyricfm27

Introducing our LOVEly 2026 Gala Dinner performers!🌹 Fiona Murphy (soprano) 💜 @prfionamurphy Before her career in public relations, Fiona performed with renowned companies such as the Houston Grand Opera, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Chicago Opera Theatre, RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, and more. She holds a BA from University College Dublin and a Master’s in Music from the Curtis Institute, along with diplomas in Public Relations and Legal Studies. Currently, she serves as a Non-Executive Board Member for both Opera Collective and Pan Pan Theatre in Ireland. Seán Boylan (baritone) 💛 @seanboylanmusic Irish baritone Seán Boylan is an emerging talent in the music scene. He graduated with Distinction from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. In 2025-26, Seán will debut as Schaunard in La bohème with Opera North and perform as Algernon Moncrieff in Garsington's The Importance of Being Earnest. He will also join the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland for a concert celebrating Michael D. Higgins' presidency and sing Messiah with the Irish Baroque Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra. Dearbhla Collins (piano) ❤️ @dearbhlacollins_piano Pianist Dearbhla Collins is a vocal coach at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and Artistic Consultant at the National Opera Studio, London. She is also the Artistic Director of the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition and is recognised internationally as a song pianist, collaborating with notable singers such as Sir Thomas Allen and Sir Simon Keenlyside. Dearbhla founded the Dublin Song Series in 2013 and has conducted masterclasses and recitals in various countries. She has served on the boards of the National Concert Hall and Culture Ireland and is currently the Chair of Pan Pan Theatre Company. In 2017, she received an honorary doctorate for her contributions to music in Ireland from the National University of Ireland. Tickets and tables are available to book by contacting [email protected] or [email protected]. #galadinner #opera #ireland #valentinesday #operasingersofinstagram #kingsinns @rtelyricfm @kingsinns

We’ve had an incredible couple of days collaborating with @rtelyricfm and the @rteconcertorchestra , recording some young talented singers in famous arias. 📻🎶 These included some of our talented Irish competitors from over the past few years: @patrickhylandtenor , @deirdrehiggins.soprano , @cathalmccabetenor , @seanboylanmusic (baritone), and @seantester_tenor . The RTÉ Concert Orchestra was conducted by Gavin Moloney, who was a wonderful support to them all. We can't wait to share these recordings with you soon! 📸Pictured above is baritone Seán Boylan, who will also be performing at our upcoming Gala Dinner on Valentine’s Day 2026. 💖 If you are interested in joining us for our Gala Dinner for Opera Lovers on the 14th February at the @kingsinns , tickets are available by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. 🎟️ @dearbhlacollins_piano @the_gail_henry @sineadwylde4003 @rte_culture #operasingersofinstagram #opera #operalovers #ireland #kingsinns #rtelyricfm #rteconcertorchestra

A Night of Pure Musical Magic!✨🎶 Last weekend, we were enchanted by @niamhosullivan.mezzo , @conorprendiville , and Mairéad Hurley at Griffith College Cork. We are immensely grateful to our wonderful performers for a truly special evening of opera, where our audience was treated to performances from some of Ireland’s greatest talent.👏 Thank you to Sinéad O’Dea and everyone at @griffithcollegecork for hosting and supporting our first-ever Cork concert in the stunning Isabella Honan Chapel. We also extend our gratitude to @jeffers_pianos for providing us with a beautiful piano for the evening, and to the members of the Friends of the Vocal Arts committee and the VDISC team, led by Artistic Director @dearbhlacollins_piano and Chairman Professor Diarmuid Hegarty.🙌 Last but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you to all our audience members for their support and generosity.🙏 Your contributions to fundraising events like this significantly support the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition and help contribute to the continued development of young singers in classical music.🎶 📸 First four photos: Darragh Kane. Remaining six photos: VDISC Admin. @rtelyricfm @corkchamber @griffithcollege

Meet our other talented performers for Opera at Griffith College Cork.💫 🎵Conor Prendiville is one of Ireland’s finest up-and-coming tenors. Since graduating from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, he has performed on many stages at home and abroad. Recent highlights include playing Sciortino in Rosetta Cucchi’s five-star production of Marco Tuttino’s La Ciociara at Wexford Festival Opera, Flute in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, Vogelsang in The Impressario at the Buxton Opera Festival, and Ruiz in Le Trouvere at Wexford Festival Opera. A former member of the Upper Austrian Opera Studio in Linz, his roles there included Riamund (Melusina), Moser (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg), Araldo (Rinaldo), and Lorenthy (Ein Herbstmanöver). Upcoming engagements include Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. 🎹Mairéad Hurley studied piano under Rhona Marshall at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and music at UCD, graduating from there with a BMus and a Higher Diploma in Education. Further studies include the répétiteur course at the London National Opera Studio and a First Class Honours MMus (performance) at TU Dublin Conservatoire. Mairéad was Head of Music at Opera Ireland from 1998 to 2010 and has worked for Wexford Festival Opera, Opera Theatre Company, Opera Northern Ireland, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, Lyric Opera, RTE Proms, the NSO and the RTE Concert Orchestra. She performs regularly in recital at home and abroad and has officiated many music festivals and Masterclasses throughout her career. From 2010 until 2021, she was Head of Vocal, Opera and Drama studies at TU Dublin Conservatoire and continues her work there as répétiteur in the vocal department . She is an external examiner for the MMus Performance in Répétiteur at the Royal Scottish Conservatoire. 🎟️For tickets, book via Eventbrite (🔗link in bio) or email [email protected] 🗓️ Saturday, 29th November 2025 🕖 7.00 PM 📍 Isabella Honan Chapel, Griffith College Cork, Wellington Road, Cork City 🎟️ Tickets: €50 incl. wine reception @conorprendiville @griffithcollegecork @rtelyricfm @corksredfm @corks_96fm

✨ For One Night Only: Niamh O’Sullivan at Griffith College Cork! 🎶 Fresh from her dazzling debut as Carmen with English National Opera, join us for a stunning night of opera with Niamh O’Sullivan in her hometown of Cork later this November. Irish mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan is a rapidly rising star on the international stage, praised as being ‘the owner of one of the most sheerly beautiful lyric mezzos…in some time' (Opera Traveller). In the last seasons and beyond O’Sullivan makes a series of high profile debuts in Europe and the United States. Highlights of the 2025-26 season include her role debut in the title role of Bizet's Carmen for English National Opera, her US and role debut as Offred in Ruders' The Handmaid’s Tale for Detroit Opera, alongside house debuts for Garsington Opera and Rossweisse in Wagner's Die Walküre at Opéra de Monte-Carlo. “O’Sullivan has emerged as a marvellous singer-actor, with a singular, beautiful and at times sensual mezzo instrument. She makes Carmen real: defiant, provocative and fierce, brave rather than couldn’t-care-less, without ever seeming just to “do” sexy.” The Arts Desk, October 2025 “Niamh O'Sullivan's Octavian is a discovery, it is reminiscent of Brigitte Fassbaender in the ambiguity of the timbre as well as the port.” Bachtrack, May 2025 “Fringent, ardent, youthful, the Knight of Niamh O’Sullivan’s magnificent timbre and accomplished vocal technique, develops ardour with incandescent treble…” Lemonde, May 2025 🎟️For tickets, book via Eventbrite (🔗link in bio) or email [email protected] 🗓️ Saturday, 29th November 2025 🕖 7.00 PM 📍 Isabella Honan Chapel, Griffith College Cork, Wellington Road, Cork City 🎟️ Tickets: €50 incl. wine reception @niamhosullivan.mezzo @griffithcollegecork @rtelyricfm @corkchamber @corks_96fm @corkredfm

Cork opera fans, mark your calendars! ❄️ Cork mezzo soprano Niamh O’Sullivan, one of Veronica Dunne’s last students and currently starring as Carmen at English National Opera, will perform a very special concert for one night only at Griffith College Cork. Enjoy an evening with this magnificent singer, accompanied by one of Ireland's leading pianists, Mairéad Hurley, for an unforgettable evening in the intimate Isabella Honan Chapel, complemented by a wine reception at the interval. This concert is not to be missed! 🗓️ Saturday, 29th November 2025 🕖 7.00 PM 📍 Isabella Honan Chapel, Griffith College Cork 🎟️ Tickets: €50 incl. wine reception. Book now on Eventbrite (🔗link in bio) or email [email protected] Please be advised that Eventbrite booking fees will apply.