Nl Opera IA Company Llmlted by Guarantee) Trustees. Report For the year ended 31 March 2024 The Trustees present their Annual Report together with the audited financial statements of Nl Opera for the year from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The Annual R8POrt serves the purposes of both a Trustees. Report and Directors, Report under company Law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financkql statements of the Charitable Company comply with the current ststutory requirements, the requirements of the Charitable Companys governing document and the provisions of the Statement of R8commended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordan with the Finanaal Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). Since Nl Opera qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006. the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (stte9C Report and Directors. Report Regulations 2013} has been omFited. Objectives and activities a. Policies and objectives We have referred to the guidance contained in Charity Cormiission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and obJe¢ttves and in planning our future actNities. The principal objects of the company as per the Articles of Association are to advance the education of the general public through the presentation of opera and other dramatic, musical and performing arts., and to further the development of publr appreciation and taste in opera and the said arts. Founded in 2010, Northem Ireland Op8ra is North8m Irelands a4vard-winning national opera company, widely acclaimed as one of the most exciiing operatic start-ups in UK and Irish history. With a philosophy of artistic excellenc8 and risk-taking, underpinned by a bokl and imaginatNE approach to programming and productions, Northern Ireland Opera is committed to the idea of opera as a unNuely eniithing lotal, art form and one which should be open to everyone. Through a modem but accessible production style, an emphasis on l¢xal participation and young people, and inexpensive ticket prices. the Company has broadened the audience for opera in a regKin where there has been historic under-provision and where the arts are uniquely placed to foster relattons between communities. In only thirteen years. the Compan5ls energy, ideas and high artistic standards have led to both national critical acclaim and an intemational profile. Mission - To provide the huhest-qualty opera to the widest possible audien. Vision Northern Ireland Opera aims to prorrK)te the best of Northem Irish talent, engaging wth local communities and young people. closely collaborating with other Northem Ireland arts organisations and using some of the province's most icontc spaces for its perfomances. It is determined to build up an intemational profile for the company, recognising the unKiue source of pride an opera company can be fo any region and the beneffts that are generated in global partnerships. SUMER NORTHERN IRELAND Page 2
Nl Opera (A Company Llmlted by Guarantee) Trustees, Report (contlnued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Objectlves and adlvltles {continued) b. Strategies for achlevlng oblectlv Nl Opera have the following aims: AIM 1 (ARTISTIC) REPERTOIRE & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Maintain and develop our unique prOdtIOn aesthetic and identty whilst expanding our product rang8 across scale and repertoire. AIM 2 IARTISTIC) TALENT DEVELOPMENT Continue to promote and develop young and Irish tslent whikt integrating this function into wider business objectives. AIM 3 (ARTISTIC and ORGANISATIONAL) AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Identfy and nurture core supporters. and build awareness. loyalty and engagement amongst a broader netrrk of supporters. AIM 41ORGANISATIONAL) RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT Develop and expand current and future revenue streams with a particular emphasis on fundraising and box office revenues. AIM 5 IORGANISATIONAL) SUSTAINABILITY AND GOVERNANCE Slrengthen and stabilise the companws structures, policies and practices lo deliver a more secure and sustainable financial and operational m¢Jdel. c. Activities for achieving objeclives Nl Opera will achieve its objectpies by continuing to provKle artistic exllen. ccxnmunty engagement and an artist training and devek)pment prograrnme for Northem Ireland and the island of Ireland as a whole. The programme wll be delivered throughout each calendar year centred on the opportunities created by Nl Opera studio training programme for young singers. the annual Festival of Voice vocal competrtion in Glenami. Co. Antrim. the outreach and educatiorkql project5. and the main scale production in the Grand Opera House. d. Main actlvltles undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit Cullural provision in Northem Ireland has been hugety underfunded compar8d to other UK règions. However. current circumstances offer Nl Opera a once in a generation opportunty to address soaal, regenerative. cultural and economic imperatives via the medium of opera through unique educational experiences, training schemes and career pathways for potential artists, musicians and Ih8atre practitioners. SUMER ORTHERN IRELAND Page 3
Nl Opera IA Company Llmlted by Guarantee) Trustees. Report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Achlevements and perforniance a. Revlew of actlvltles Northern Ireland Opera has had another busy year and y are delghted to have once again engaged so many freelance musicians and uew to make it a successful year. In April 2023, the Northem Ireland Opera Chorus began their season with rehearsals for our main produdion 'Tosca' and other upcoming chorus event5. The chorus enjoyed sessions wtth renowned conductor Jac van Steen, Coach Bryan Evans and Nl Opera's Artist in Development, Matthew Quinn. Soloists Mary Mccabe and Catherine Donnelfy plus the female voices from the chorus were invited to perfonn in Mendelssohn's Midsummer Nighys Dream alongside the Ulster Orchestra in May 2023 at the Ulster Hall. The Chorus then perfomied their own sold-oul concert a week later in the beautiful surroundings of the Harbour Commissioneff s Room. This was a showcase concert where the audience could enjoy opera chorus, throughout the ages. We were once again delighted to be able to perform in the Throne Room at Hillsborough Castle. The Salon Series, Les Nulls d'Été and A Chloris and other melodies by Hahn were performed by soprano Mary Mccabe and accompanied by Bryan Evans. The summer season started with a performan at Flowerfields Arts Centre in Portstewart wtth soprano Anna Gregg, mezzo Jenny Bourke accompanied by Frasier HicklarKI. The company were once again inwted to take part in a series of Sunday perfomianc8s on the Mariiime Mile 0r th8 summor period and this also included main stage perfomances across the weekend of the Marltime Festtval. All these events were free tc the general public to attend. As a fundraiser for Tosca, we hosted a trivia quiz night called 'Tosca and a Tipple, in The Black Box, Belfast which was great fun for all who t(x>k part. The Rosemary Street Presbyierian Summer Recital Series retumed once again and we were delighted to participate in two these concerts. Throughoui the summer months, we were delighted to host a series of workshops for those in school years 8-14 at Duncaim Arts Centre. The 6 yek workshops were to gNe an insight to the different elements of an opera Company from singing to niake up, dance to set design. Wth thanks to the Arts Council of Northem Ireland, we were able to offer these workshops free of charge and with thanks to the Garfield Weston Foundation, we were able to provide breakfast, snacks and lunch ftjr those who attended. Rehearsals for our main stsge opera, Tosca, began in August 2023 with cast coming from Northem Ireland and also further afield and we were delighted to have many international perfomiers making their Northern Ireland debut. Our Tosca Chorus Yre also invited to perfonn at the Ulster Rugby Gala Dinner in the ICC Belfast. Our annual Festival of Voic6 retumed at the end of August to the village of Glenami On again. This included the masterclasses and finale for fNe singers and also thre8 BBC Radio 3 recitals. September 2023 saw rehearsals ramp up towards Tosca taking to the Grand Opera Housé stage. We were once again delighled to be abje to hire the Ulster Orchestra to perform this alongside with us and it was wonderful to see the auditorium sold out for all ft>ur perfonnances. Alongside the main opera, we held our ouireach week at the Grand Opera House with a varied programme of song. dance, recitals and a v8ry popular Come and Sing. We opened our dress rehearsal up to around 600 audience members made up of communty groups. schools and yOLrth music organi&3tions. In late September. soloists Mary Mccabe, ManJaret Bridge, Aaron O'Hare and Brendan Collins perfomied alongside pianist Tristan Russcher as part of the Merchanfs Gala Dinner. Guests were treated to soothing haTP on arrival. brass fanfare a5 a call to dinner and opera in between )urSeS. SUMER NORTHERN IRELAND Page 4
Nl Opera (A Company Llmited by Guarantee) Trustees. Report Icontinued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Achi8Voments and perfomiance {continu8d) From October 2023, the company partnered with the MAC Theatre. Beffast and The Playhouse, Dery to perform the six Salon Series events (which premiered in early 2023) over a period of at least 6 months. This was an amazing opportunty for the music and performers to be heard in different parts of Northem Ireland. We were delighted to send facilitator. Connie McGrath. to deliver a workshop on stsge make up with members from Springboard in North Belfast. This workshop Ivas held close to Halloween so the theme of the make up was very easy to establishl In early November, we were tnvtied to perform at the Synagogue in North BeWast. This included a lunchlime performance for the older members and then an evening Cabaret dinner. These events were very successftjl and brought all genres of music together. Christmas began early in Belfast with a Chrislrnas Sing-Along at the MAC Theatre Vth members of our chotus. This was a very popular event and put audien member5 in the Christmas spirit early in the season. The company also had a visii to the offices from the Minister for Northem Ireland. Minister Stéve Baker. who was treated to a perf0rrnan from soloists and m8mbers of the chorus. 2024 began with our annual perfonnance at the annual 'Out lo Lunch. festival at The Black Box This was cabaret style event to a fvll house who also enjoyed th8ir lunch. Rehearsals also began in early January 2024 for Iwo chamber SIZ events which would be performed in February 2024 in the Grand Operd House Studio. The first chamber event called 'CupKI's Bow, was based around the heartache and loves of opera and then the second chamber event was a rarely perfom18d piec8 by Philip Glass and Robert Moran called 'The Juniper Tr8e'. This piece to giv8 choru5 members a solo role in a smaller scale production to help devebp thair SklS and singing. The Juniper Tree was rehearsed and conducted by Artist in Development répétiteur, Frasier Hickland and he did a wonderful job with the whol8 production and his 6-piece orchestra. b. Factors relevant to achleve objectlves Nl Opera have a small dedicated team and a committed Board of Twstees who are passionate aboul the art fonn of opera. Financial review a. Going concern The net surplus for the year was £152.022 which resulted in positNe trjtal funds at the year end of £168,591. Appropriate enquiries have been made of Ihe Trustees in regards adopting the going conrn basis. Due to the continued grant support of the Arts Council of Northem Ireland, Trusts plus anticipated further Theatre Tax Relief credits, tha Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate reSoUrS to continue in operational existence for a period of at least 12 months fr<)m the date when the financial statements ar8 authorised for issue. For this reason, the company continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial ststements. SUMER NORTHERN IRELAND Page 5
Nl Opera (A Company Limited by Guarantse) Trustees, Report Icontsnued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 b. Reserves policy FLrture reserves held by the charty are for the use of achieving objective of advancing the education of the general public and furthering the development of public appreciation in opera through the presentation of operd and other dramatic, musical and perfonning arts. c. Prfnclpal rlsks and uncertainties As Nl Opera's main funder, the Arts Council of Northem Ireland continue to 5UPPOrt the company f1nancially. Partnerships wrth key stakeholders, the Ulster Orchestra and the Grand Opera House, continue to devdop. structure, governance and management a. Constitution The company is registered as a chariiable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association on 17 December 2009. The company is a registered charity number NIC1017T1. The Trustees are responsible ft)r the strategic management of the company. Trustees ar6 not paid and generally do not receive out of pocket expenses. b. Methods of appolntment or election of Trustees The management of Nl Opera rs the responsibilty of the Trustees who are elected and cwited under the terms of the Memorandum of Association. c. Risk management The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the company is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finan of the company, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in pla to mrtigate our exposure to the majcy risks. SUMER NORTHERN IRELAND Page 6
Nl Opera (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Trustees. Report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024 Plans for future periods Our plans for th8 2024r25 year and bepnd are detailed below. Chorus Concert at the Ulster Hall May 2024 In May we showcased the new intake chorus members in a cdebration of the great choruses from opera through the ages. The singers worked wrth acclaimed condudor and language coach James Grossmith. The chorus presented all of the chorus momenls in concert format frorn our opera for 2024 Eugene Onegin. Mary Mccabe, who was cast as the lead soprano in the mainstage opera. Tatyana, perfomied a part of her famous letter scene aria for audiences as way of exposing them to t1 musical world of Onegin. This concert also featured the chorus singing in Russian. as they are Tequired to perfomi in the full production later in the year from memory for the fully staged production. Music and Creativ8 Skills Workshops June 2024 In June 10-14 we hosted and created education events for secondary schtsjl music students. We invited Senior music students to participate in an outreach week at the Grand Opera House. We provided a unique educational experience tsilored for students and included vmrks by Tchaikovsky, Mozart. Hump8rdinck. Puccini, BEet. Verdi and Britten. These sessions are d8sign8d for students. Arniagh - Salon Event, Palace Demesne. Arnwgh June 2024 As part of the SOnd round of The Salon Series. we presented as a premiere at the Bishops Palace in Amiagh, a nevly curated salon event called The Stars. The Moon and The Georgian Sky. We performed two P8rformanc8s at the Palace showcasing music composed in the Georgian era and about Ihe heavens above. Starring Downpatrick's Mary Mccabe arKI Holywood's Anna Gregg. This VRS a premiere of the new series of salon events. Springtime, Summertlme and Mlschlef - Red Sams Festlval - Flowetheld Juty 2024 We presented an hour of arias and songs on a theme of 'Springtime. Summertime and Mischiefl., performed by soprano Petra Wells. mezzo Jenny Bourke and pianist Frasier Hickland. Nl Opera appeared at th8 Saturday Lunchtimes al Flowerfield Park where Nl Opera soloists Serenaded in the beauirful surroundings of the park as part of The Red Sails Festival. The 14th Glenami Fe$Val of Volce August 2024 Nl Opera presented the 14th fests'val from August 23rd - 25th. This included three free BBC Radbo 3 recitals to experience, recorded live at the festival for national broadcast in September as four 'Lunchtimè Concerts,, an afternoon recital in The Londonderry Ams in Camlough, and the weekend culminated in a Ihrilling vocal competition featuring fve young opera singers selected from across the island of Ireland. Our Competition Finale. which was again hosted by our Patron, BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Sean Rafferty. showcased five singers selected from entrants from across the island of Ireland who competed in front of a live jury panel to win the Deborah Voigt Opera Prize and become the Nl Opera Young Opera Voic8 of 2024. There was also a Song Priz8 award and the Kathryn Harries Audience Priz8, Voted for by the audience during a short intetV81 on the night. Eugene Onegln - Grand Opera House BelFast Sept 2024 For the mainstage season, produced a wonderful Tchaikovsky opera called Eugene Onegin at Ihe Grand Opera House. This saw the casting of the four main female roles 1th all singers from Northern Ireland. a first for th8 company. In another first for the company. we also launched our own orchestra made up of players all from the island of Ireland. We taunched the Orchestra of Northem Ireland Opera. these 43 amazing local SUMER NORTHERN IRELAND Page 7
Nl Opera IA Company Limited by Guarantee) Trustees, Report (contlnued) For th8 year 8nded 31 MarGh 2024 Plans for future periods Icontlnued) instrumentalists were led by the Kapellmeisler from the Deutsche Oper Bèdin. Dominic Limburg. This was a very pivotal production for the company and allowed us to exlend on our already much acclaimed work and keep being abl8 to premiere new grand opera in Northern Ireland. Pop up and reglonal events for 24125 The next year will see the company also remain open and flexible to being able to respond to the sector and to continue working with our community partners and sectoral partnets such as Derry Play House, The MAC. Big Telly Theatre Company. This will also allow us to produ and perfom residencies at Stunning venues across Northern Ireland such as the Palace Demesn8 wi Am)agh, The Merchant Hotel. The Harrison Chambers of Distinction and to present pop up works across Northem Ireland from the Marttime Mile to the Botanic Gardens and to regional festivals in Newry and along the North Coast from Castlerock to Glenami. Statement of Trustees. responsibilities The Trustees (who are also the Directors of Nl Opera for the purposes of coffpany law) are responsib18 for preparing the Trustees. Report and the financial statements in accordan with applicable and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare fin¢la1 statements for each financial . Under company law. the Trustees must not approve the financial ststements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of Nl Opera and of ils incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure. for that period. In preparing these fancIal statements, the Trustees are required to: S81ect suttable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. obseNe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102)., make judgments and accounting estimates that aTe reasonable and prudent" state whether applbcable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disdosed and explained in the financial statements" and prepare the financial ststements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presum8 that Nl Opera will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain Nl Opera's transactions and disdose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial poSitn of Nl Opera and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply wilh the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of Nl Opera and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and d8tection of fraud and other irregularities. Disclosure of infomiation to audltors Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Ttees, Report is approved has confirmed that: so far as that Trustee is re. there is no rdvrfant audit inf0Mtion of lch the charivs auditors are unaware, and that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charivs auditors are aware of that infomation. SUMER NORTHERN IRELAND Page 8
Nl Opera (A Company Llmited by Guarantee) Trustees. Report (¢ontinuedl For the year ended 31 March 2024 Auditors The audrtors. Sumer Auditco Nl Ltd. have indtcaed their willingness to continue in office. The designated Trustees will propose a motion reappointing the auditors al a meeting of the Trustees. Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by: Mr R E Bailie CBE Chair Date: 2 December 2024 SUMER NORTHERN IRELAND Page 9