Young people from Music Generation Kildare and Music Generation Meath perform in Irish National Opera's first youth opera

For the last six months, a group of young people from Music Generation Kildare and Music Generation Meath has been preparing to appear in Irish National Opera's first-ever, specially commissioned youth opera. They are all now ready for the world premiere production of Horse Ape Bird by composer David Coonan and writer Dylan Coburn Gray in Navan on Friday 24 June and Maynooth on Sunday 26 June.

The work, which is ambitious, playful and thought-provoking, tells three true stories. All are about scientists adopting animals, treating them like humans, and abandoning them when they fail to learn to act like humans. But who is really failing here? The opera poses the question, “Are animals animals because they lack something we possess, or vice versa?” This is an opera for anyone who has ever wondered if their dog loves them back.


Horse Ape Bird features soprano Amy Ni Fhearraigh, mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty and actor and sign performer Caoimhe Coburn Gray, together with a youth chorus drawn from counties Kildare and Meath and the Irish National Opera Orchestra. The work is conducted by INO’s resident conductor Elaine Kelly. Dublin theatre and film maker Zoe Ní Riordáin directs, Zia Bergin-Holly has designed the set and the costumes are by Clodagh Deegan.


For composer David Coonan “In one sense Horse Ape Bird is a condensation of a year of my life — one year for one hour of music, of which I’m intensely proud. In another sense, it’s a beautiful magnification. Something that, at one point, only existed in my head is now being brought to life by sixteen passionate young musicians who fling themselves into everything; by three adult performers, who balance the dynamism of the young people with poise; and by a creative team, who make vivid a world that’s hitherto existed only in my imagination. I’m tremendously excited to have it staged and to introduce audiences to these wonderful young singers.”

Aoife O'Connell, Music Development Officer in Music Generation Meath, says "Here at Music Generation Meath we are thrilled to be involved in the commissioning and producing of Horse Ape Bird, our first youth opera. Partnering with such great organisations like Irish National Opera, Maynooth University, Music Generation Kildare and Solstice Arts Centre is what makes opportunities like this possible. What better way to give young people valuable and memorable musical opportunities than to give them their very own professional production! We are very proud of the young people from Meath and all the work they've put in. Having heard them rehearse over the last few months I cannot wait to see the finished product.”

Music Generation caught up with young singers Lily Kilmartin–Gath (Music Generation Meath) and Cathal Brennan (Music Generation Kildare) about their experience so far ahead of their busy month of production in June!

Horse Ape Bird is produced in association with Music Generation Kildare, Music Generation Meath and Solstice Arts Centre, in partnership with the Music Department, Maynooth University, supported by St Patrick’s College, Maynooth.

Irish National Opera is funded by The Art Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon. 


Music Generation Kildare is managed by Kildare Local Music Education Partnership, led by Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board in partnership.


Music Generation Meath is managed by Meath Local Music Education Partnership, led by Louth and Meath Education and Training Board in partnership with Meath.

IMAGE 1: Music Generation Kildare and Music Generation Meath Youth Chorus

IMAGE 2: Young Performers Cathal Bennett (Kildare), Lily Kilmartin -Gath(Meath) and Music Generation Kildare Music Development Officer Alan Costello

IMAGE 3: Cathal Bennett (Kildare) with Music Generation Kildare and Music Generation Meath

All photo credits – Dave Keegan