TU Dublin Celebrates Visionary European Women with Irish Premiere of New Opera
TU Dublin welcomed the Irish premiere of Visionaries, a new contemporary opera celebrating the remarkable achievements of three influential women in European history, at the University's Concert Hall in Grangegorman on Friday, 30 October 2026.
The production brought together students, academics and musicians from across Europe as part of BRAVO (Bold and Resilient Achievements of Visionary European Women through Opera), an Erasmus+ funded international collaboration involving TU Dublin and four European partner institutions.
Featuring performers from TU Dublin Conservatoire, the TU Dublin Philharmonic and guest musicians and singers from Italy and Hungary, Visionaries explored the lives and legacies of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Christine de Pizan and Marie Curie, three pioneering women whose contributions to politics, literature and science helped shape European history and culture.
The event was opened by H.E. Mr. Nicola Faganello, Italian Ambassador to Ireland. Through three acts, the opera brought their stories to life, highlighting their determination to challenge the conventions of their time and their enduring influence on European society.
The BRAVO project is an Erasmus+ KA220 Strategic Partnership coordinated by the Conservatorio Statale di Musica Vincenzo Bellini in Sicily, with partners including TU Dublin, Contemporanea and Idoneus in Italy, and Eszterházy Károly Catholic University in Eger, Hungary.
Among those in attendance at the event were Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne; the Italian Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Mr Nicola Faganello, and his wife, Mrs Franziska Faganello-Feldhoff; the Czech Ambassador, H.E. Mr Pavel Vošalík; the Maltese Ambassador, H.E. Ms Fiona-Jayne Formosa; and the Hungarian Ambassador, H.E. Mr Bánhegyi. Also in attendance were Ms Michela Magri, Head of the Italian Cultural Centre; Ms Elīna Grintāle, representing the Latvian Embassy; and Ms Nanna Johansen and Ms Julie Thouément, representing the Danish Embassy.
At TU Dublin, the project brought together expertise from the Conservatoire, School of Media and School of Art and Design, demonstrating the University's commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and practice-based learning.
Combining music, performance, education and technology, the initiative aims to promote inclusion, innovation and intercultural dialogue while developing new approaches to artistic education and engaging audiences across Europe. The production has provided students and staff with opportunities to collaborate internationally, develop their creative and professional skills, and participate in a major European cultural project.
Project leader and lecturer with the TU Dublin Conservatoire, Rachel Talbot highlighted the contribution of the performers in bringing the historical figures to life:"The singers have really coloured the characterisation," she said, reflecting on how the performers brought depth and individuality to the women portrayed in the opera.
Among the principal performers was County Meath soprano Clíodhna Regan, who took on two leading roles in the production, portraying Eleanor of Aquitaine in Act One and Renée/René in Act Two. Having originated the roles at the opera's world premiere in Sicily, Regan returned to perform them for Irish audiences at TU Dublin.
"Originating Eleanor has been an exciting opportunity to explore a woman of remarkable political intelligence and determination," she said.
A multiple prizewinner at Feis Ceoil, Regan has previously appeared as a soprano soloist with TU Dublin Conservatoire. Her operatic experience includes roles as Frasquita in Carmen and Despina in Così fan tutte, alongside performances of Handel's Messiah and appearances at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and Loughcrew Estate Opera. The Irish production featured principal singers from TU Dublin Conservatoire, the TU Dublin Philharmonic, guest musicians from Sicily and choir members from TU Dublin and Eger, reflecting the international character of the collaboration.
Beyond its artistic achievements, Visionaries explored the evolution of European society through the experiences of women who made significant contributions to political, intellectual and scientific progress. By combining historical storytelling with contemporary opera, the BRAVO project seeks to make European history and cultural heritage accessible to new audiences while highlighting shared European values.
The collaboration also reflects TU Dublin's commitment to international engagement, creative innovation and providing students with opportunities to learn through real-world artistic practice.