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 (st￿te9￿C 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
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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 prOd￿tIOn 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 netr￿rk
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 ex￿llen￿. 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
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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 0￿r 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 y￿ek 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 Y￿re 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 V￿th 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 Sk￿lS 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 con￿rn 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 reSoUr￿S 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
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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
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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 S￿Ond 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 f￿ancIal 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 poSit￿n 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 T￿￿tees, Report is approved has confirmed that:
so far as that Trustee is ￿re. there is no rdvrfant audit inf0M￿tion 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