The Bartered Bride – Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray

About this event

The 2026/27 staging is a revival of Irish National Opera's 2025 production, recast for a chamber ensemble of 11 singers and 5 musicians. It is a single touring production visiting smaller venues across Ireland. Richard Peirson created the new arrangement for the reduced forces. The opera is performed in English with English surtitles. The setting is a busy Czech village shaped by tradition and tangled secrets, where two young lovers face inherited social rules, a meddling matchmaker, an unwanted marriage contract, and the disruptive arrival of a travelling circus. Louisa Muller directs, with set and lighting by Ciaran Bagnall, costumes by Joan O'Clery, choreography by Rebecca Howell, and assistant direction by Grace Morgan.

Cast & creative

• 

  Marenka

  Amy Ní Fhearraigh
• 

  Jenik

  Egor Zhuravskii
• 

  Ludmila

  Carolyn Holt
• 

  Krusina

  David Howes
• 

  Kecal

  John Molloy
• 

  Hata

  Rebecca Afonwy-Jones
• 

  Míka

  Julian Close
• W

  Vasek

  William Pearson
• M

  Esmeralda

  Megan O’Neill
• B

  Master of Ceremonies

  Ben Escorcio
• 

  Outlaw

  Matthew Mannion
• I

  Violin

  Ioana Petcu-Colan
• D

  Cello

  David Edmonds
• C

  Clarinet

  Conor Sheil
• H

  Horn

  Hannah Miller
• R

  Piano

  Richard Peirson