O'Regan comments:
I'm absolutely thrilled to be joining Pacific Chorale in this unique and exciting role. For a few years now, I've known first-hand the superlative work of their Artistic Director, Robert Istad, and I'm eager to get to work with him and the terrific Chorale, both as a composer and broader artistic partner in this rare and wonderful venture.Mata Hari revival
Following the success of its premiere last year, Mata Hari returns to Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam this autumn.The evening-length ballet, choreographed by Ted Brandsen to a lavish orchestral score by O’Regan, tells the remarkable story of one of the most famous women in Dutch history. It follows her life, from childhood in a wealthy middle class family to her unhappy marriage to a colonial army captain in the Dutch East Indies and her eventual escape to Paris in search of adventure. There she reinvented herself, becoming the dancer Mata Hari, whose exotic and mysterious charm captivated and scandalised society circles in equal measure. As the First World War raged across Europe, Mata Hari became entangled in intrigue and was convicted – rightly or wrongly – of espionage. She was executed by firing squad in 1917.
This revival of the ballet marks the centenary of Mata Hari’s death. Performances take place on October 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 27-30 and November 1-3.
More info
Performances and new concert works
O’Regan’s music will be heard around Europe and the US during the 17-18 season. Among the highlights are his choral work A Letter of Rights (a collaboration with poet and librettist Alice Goodman) at the closing concert of the Presteigne Festival in the Welsh borders, and performances of two orchestral works inspired by north African dance forms – Chaâbi by the Orchestra of Rouen Opera and Raï by the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne. In the US, the Alexander String Quartet continues to tour Gradual to venues including The Phillips Collection in Washington DC and San Francisco State University.
The American Choral Directors Association has commissioned O'Regan to compose an unaccompanied choral work for the participating choirs at the ACDA Division Conferences in Spring 2018. In addition O'Regan will write a short choral work for the American Guild of Organists convention to be held in Kansas City in July 2018, to be premiered by the attending choirs.
New opera
In Spring 2019, Houston Grand Opera will premiere The Phoenix, a two-act opera with a libretto by John Caird. The action begins in 1832 on the stage of the Park Theatre, New York City where 83-year-old Lorenzo Da Ponte, one-time librettist to Mozart, now an American citizen, rehearses a brand-new opera, 'The Phoenix', based on the extraordinary and dramatic events of his own life. Thomas Hampson will play the role of Lorenzo Da Ponte and Luca Pisaroni will be the Young Lorenzo Da Ponte. John Caird will direct.
Full performance listings
