Eine Nacht in Venedig (A Night in Venice) by Johann Strauss
Premiere 29 March 2006

For the third year running, the Icelandic Opera will be running its Opera Studio, in which students in music schools in the Greater Reykjavík area have the chance to take part in an opera production that is essentially no different from the IO’s other productions.  It can safely be said that the studio has become established as one of the main undertakings in the IO’s calendar, and the experience of the past two years shows clearly that there is plenty of interest in these productions, both on the part of the performers and audiences.  Last year the Opera Studio’s production of Haydn’s Apothecary drew 1,500 people and this year over 50 singing pupils turned up for auditions for this season’s production of Johann Strauss’ operetta Eine Nacht in Venedig. 

Bjarni Daníelsson, Director of the IO, says it was particularly gratifying to see how many talented young people came to the auditions for this year’s project.  “It promises well for the future,” he says, “and it is good to be able to give these talented youngsters valuable experience and at the same time offer the audience a fine production.”  Bjarni Ármannsson, CEO of Íslandsbanki, says it is an honour for the bank to be involved in the project with the IO. “There is plenty of musical talent around,” he says, “and it is important to give these people the chance to sing and act on stage. Last year’s production was a great success, so it is a pleasure for us to join forces with the Opera again.” 

The opening night of the Opera Studio’s production of Eine Nacht in Venedig is scheduled for 29 March, and there will be six performances in all. The producer, Uschi Horner, will be coming from Austria. The conductor will be Daníel Bjarnason, and the Opera Studio will be supervised by the IO’s Musical Director, Kurt Kopecky.  The production calls for soloists, a choir and a large orchestra; about 80 music students will be involved, making this the Opera Studio’s most ambitious production to date. It will be carried out in close collaboration with the music schools in which the participants study.