ABL Aviation and Irish National Opera Establish New Partnership

Irish National Opera and ABL Aviation are delighted to announce a new partnership.

As part of a multi-annual agreement, the international aviation investment company take title sponsorship of INO’s opera studio mentoring programme which henceforth will be known as the ABL Aviation Opera Studio.

This creative collaboration between the opera and business world will ensure the continuing professional development, education and mentoring of emerging Irish opera stars. It enables INO to continue the company’s mission of providing a platform for Irish singers and opera practitioners and provide the best-in-class training for its burgeoning artists.

Launching the partnership at The Mansion House in Dublin today, Artistic Director Fergus Sheil said “I am excited to announce this news. We have been very impressed by ABL Aviation’s interest in the development of opera talent in this country and look forward to a fruitful relationship with a commitment to fostering talent and nurturing excellence at its core.”

Furthermore, he said, “INO has received a fantastic reception since our launch in January 2018 and this partnership comes at a time when we can see the positive results and benefits accruing from running our own studio programme for opera artists. This new relationship with ABL Aviation represents great recognition of the reputation we have built in such a short period of time.”

CEO of ABL Aviation, Ali Ben Lmadani said, “We strongly believe in the work of Irish National Opera and we consider this partnership to be a great foundation for the development of the art form and training involved in producing world-class artists”. ABL Aviation has a core ethos of innovation which we see echoed in INO. We have a common goal of augmenting our presence nationally and our reach internationally and are pleased to have a partner with a shared vision.

The ABL Aviation Opera Studio programme for the year is ambitious and includes the esteemed Brenda Hurley working with our young artists as a Vocal Consultant, in addition to masterclasses and coaching sessions from world-renowned artists. The studio will also begin a new partnership with The Civic in Tallaght, in which the theatre’s Artistic Director, Michael Barker-Caven, will work with studio artists as Stagecraft Consultant. Studio artists will also work on some of INO’s main stage productions undertaking smaller roles, singing in the chorus and working as assistant director or conductor.

Irish National Opera was selected as a Tier 1 organisation for the Arts Council RAISE programme, an initiative aimed at building capacity to generate significant new private investment including philanthropic investment.

Martin O’Sullivan of the Arts Council said “We are delighted with the success Irish National Opera has achieved from the RAISE programme leading to this exciting partnership with ABL Aviation. It clearly demonstrates the benefits business sees in helping to promote Ireland’s vibrant arts and cultural sector and supporting arts organizations to create and share their significant impactful work.”