New creative producer for Cork Opera House

Aisling Fitzgerald has been announced by Cork Opera House as its creative producer in residence for opera in 2025.

Ms Fitzgerald, who has worked with Cork Opera House on projects for two decades, has worked exclusively in opera stage management for over 16 years.

She has worked with international award-winning opera festivals and houses, including Shanghai Grand Opera, Les Azuriales Opera, New York Joyce Theatre, Wexford Festival Opera, Garsington Opera, Opera Holland Park, and Grange Park Opera.

Ms Fitzgerald also has worked in venues such as Buckingham Palace and the Royal Albert Hall in London.

She also produced the Towers and Tales Children’s Book Festival at Lismore Castle and was appointed producing facilitator and mentor for the MA in arts management and creative producing at University College Cork in 2019.

Speaking following her appointment, Ms Fitzgerald said it is a great honour to take up this opportunity.

“I believe we are at a crucial period in the evolution of Irish arts and its operatic landscape, where we have seen the trajectory of both Irish opera and opera in Ireland, at home and its presence on the international stage, move to a more developed state than ever before,” she said.

“It is now that I find myself in a momentous period in the Irish cultural landscape where an opportunity to work and develop in opera, in Ireland, is a reality, and therefore solidifies my creative and professional aims.”

Cork Opera House CEO Eibhlín Gleeson added: “The dedication and passion she brings to her work is infectious, and it’s with great joy that we strengthen our working relationship with her by welcoming Aisling as our new creative producer in residence — opera.

“Aisling will work closely with me in developing our plans for the production of opera at Cork Opera House, something that we have been doing successfully at Cork Opera House for 10 years now.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with her in this regard.”