Soprano Mairéad Buick, in a long black dress with red trimming, sang the opening lines of Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro, with Deborah Kelleher accompanying her on piano.
Those gathered for the launch of the 32nd Kilkenny Arts Festival programme listened to the heartfelt cries of Lauretta, who threatens to throw herself into the Arno unless she's allowed to marry: "Si, si, ci vogli andare!" ("Yes, father, I mean it!").
The dramatic tale of love and heartache hinted at the excitement that promises to unfold in Kilkenny next month. The two musicians will be among those who will perform with Opera Theatre Company (OTC) in the open at Ballykeeffe Quarry, according to OTC members Sorcha Carroll and Ross Ó Corráin.
Members of the Performance Corporation, which is currently working on its latest production, The Yokohama Delegation, were also at the launch in Dublin. These included its director, Jo Mangan, its writer, Tom Swift, actors Lisa Lambe and Emma McIvor (with her baby, Iris Fletcher), composer Sam Jackson and broadcaster Carrie Crowley, who will be part of the ensemble piece.
It will be "very upbeat and retro- futuristic with lots of high-heel kicks and fluttery eyelashes", said Mangan.
The festival is worth about €7 million to Kilkenny city over a two-week period, said Sally Ebert, its general manager. There will be a total of 150 international artists and 250 Irish artists performing at the event, which attracts an average audience of 60,000 each year.
Other programme highlights at the 32nd festival include Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali, a group from Pakistan who will perform devotional music in St Canice's Cathedral on Sunday, August 14th. Finghin Collins will also be performing, with the Irish Youth Ensemble, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Festival booking: 056-7752175 or info@kilkennyarts.ie. www.kilkennyarts.ie