Weekend audiences are always electric

Fri, 24 May, 2024 - 08:06

TELL us a little bit about yourself and your work:

I’m an opera singer originally from Waterford, but studied at the Cork School of Music for my undergrad. I’m just finishing up my masters degree in Dublin at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and am ready to be unleashed onto the big bad world again! I miss Cork!

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

I tend to save all my extroverted energy for the stage, so my ideal Friday night is a relatively peaceful one. I’m mad for curling up on the couch and catching up on my shows, or I’ll have a friend over for a long-overdue chinwag with a glass of wine. Either way, I’m at home and I’m in my comfy clothes!

Lie-ins or up with the lark... Which is it for you?

When my schedule allows it, I’m a major lie-in person. I’m a night owl by nature, so late mornings are part of the package. I’m more likely to witness a sunrise from being up all night!

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Absolutely. As a freelance musician, I have the freedom to create my own weekly structure.

I will often be giving voice and piano lessons on Saturdays, and then the odd concert or show. Weekend audiences are always electric.

If money was no object, where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

I would take my amazingly supportive family with me. I would head to Paris first and visit Versailles with my mam (a bucket list trip), and then finish the weekend in Munich to maybe catch an opera, but mostly for the food and beer with the fam!

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

My favourite way to recharge is to head home to Waterford. I love walking the beautiful coast, the Greenway in Dungarvan, stocking up on my Blaas.

I’m a very stereotypical Waterfordian — ‘I loves me county’ with a burning passion!

After living in Cork for 12 years, however, I consider myself an honorary Rebel. I have always loved sitting by the roses in Fitzgerald Park, coffee in hand watching the Lee flow past me. Bliss!

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

When I’m not working, I love a good catch-up over a dinner or a cup of coffee that turns into something stronger! I try my best to balance work and play. Oftentimes I find myself rehearsing projects with my friends, and that’s the best of both worlds!

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I ended up taking one of my biggest hobbies as a child and made it my life’s work! It’s funny in the arts, when that happens and you’re left to find another outlet.

I think there’s a lot of pressure now to only spend your time on things you can monetise, but it is important to have things in your life for pure enjoyment.

I enjoy yoga and cooking currently, and I will always love a night at the theatre.

Entertain or be entertained? If it’s the latter do you have a signature dish?

Currently as a busy student, I much prefer being a guest! I’m good at providing the snacks, the nibbly bits, and perhaps a bottle of prosecco!

We have so many places to eat out in Cork — where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

Oh where do I start?! For coffee, I make sure I get to Cork Coffee Roasters and Three Fools any time I’m down, or if I’m lucky enough to get out to Clon, I’ll pop into Stone Valley Coffee Roasters and pick up a few bags for the house. If I’m looking for food, I’m heading to my all-time favourite, The Raven Bar on North Main Street for gorgeous mezze plates and cocktails. I have also been dreaming about a Pompeii pizza out in the beer garden of the Fran Well since I moved away. If there was time, I’d squeeze in a trip to Good Day Deli in Nano Nagle Place and Moody Cafe in the Victorian Quarter. There’s too much to choose from! My food itinerary is packed for the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival!

Sunday night comes around too fast... How do you normally spend it?

Sunday is my only day off at the moment between college and work. It’s often a mixture of house chores, getting some fresh air and also chilling as much as possible! I will make sure any music I’m rehearsing the week ahead is prepared, and my lessons are planned. Very mundane!

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

The alarm clock is currently set to a respectable 8/8.30am. I enjoy a gentle start to my vocal practice in college, usually around 10am, in preparation for any coaching or lessons that will be happening that day.

Anything else you are up to right now...

I’m approaching the end of my masters degree so everything seems to be ramping up at the moment! My fabulous colleagues and I are preparing our final recitals, and I am so lucky to have some very exciting work to prepare for, too.

I will be performing at the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival this June bank holiday weekend. June 1, I will be in stunning Lismore, taking part in two fabulous recitals: The Irish Salon Opera recital and Oscar Wilde in Music recital.

It will be such a pleasure to perform at the intersection of my home county, Waterford, and my adopted home of Cork.

Emma Power will be performing at The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival which takes place from May 27 to June 3 at Lismore, Youghal, Dungarvan, and Castlemartyr.

ABOUT THE BLACKWATER VALLEY OPERA FESTIVAL

The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, Ireland’s summer opera festival, takes place from May 27 to June 3 at Lismore, Youghal, Dungarvan, and Castlemartyr.

With world-class performances, bespoke dining experiences, and stunning historic venues opening their doors just for the festival, unique experiences are guaranteed.

The eight-day festival will feature an inspiring creative team, 100 international and Irish performers, 22 events, 11 venues, 5,000 visitors, and more than 75 hours of live music.

The flagship opera at BVOF 2024 is Giulio Cesare by GF Handel, to be performed in the breathtaking grounds of Lismore Castle, Waterford.

With conductor Nicholas McGegan OBE leading the Irish Baroque Orchestra and a stellar cast directed by Tom Creed, this production promises to be a truly unmissable interpretation of Handel’s masterpiece.