OLIVIER AWARDS 2022

Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra win ‘Outstanding Achievement in Opera’ at the Olivier Awards - April 11th 2022

 

~ Awarded for work on for Vivaldi’s ‘Bajazet’; a co-production between Irish National Opera and the Royal Opera House ~

 

The Irish Baroque Orchestra has scooped the award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Opera’ at the 2022 Olivier Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The award was presented by Irish actress Fiona Shaw. 

 

Vivaldi’s ‘Bajazet’ was a co-production between Irish National Opera and the Royal Opera House, which toured Ireland in January before transferring to London in February. The production received rave reviews across the run, and has placed Irish arts in the spotlight internationally. This production marked the first presentation of Vivaldi opera at the Royal Opera House, and it was all the more remarkable that two Irish companies were invited to create and present this work. 

 

The Irish Baroque Orchestra under Artistic Director Peter Whelan is acclaimed as Ireland’s flagship period music ensemble at home and abroad. Scholarship and musical excellence converge in a unique way through the IBO’s work. This creates an original offering like no other on the Irish classical music scene. Through this integration of research and practice the very idea of an orchestra is defined afresh, providing an unusual and enriching experience for today’s audiences. 

 

Vivaldi’s ‘Bajazet’ was supported by Arts Council Ireland and Culture Ireland. 

 

Peter Whelan, Artistic Director, Irish Baroque Orchestra:

“I feel truly honoured to have received this award together with my beloved Irish Baroque Orchestra. I’m especially proud that a small Irish production on our has garnered this level of recognition. As ever I’d like to thank our partners at Irish National Opera for another memorable collaboration.”

 

Aliye Cornish Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Baroque Orchestra:

“This award is an absolutely fantastic accolade for the IBO - an organisation that is stepping into its potential and developing its profile at an astonishing rate. To receive this award on an international platform is an honour for the organisation as we expand our ambitions abroad. We feel privileged to be flying the flag for the Irish arts scene and this feels like a landmark moment.”