Opera premieres in Paris
The Curing Line, a new opera described as "an unclassifiable work that pushes the boundaries of opera," premiered in Paris on November 27 and 28, 2026, at the TDV-Sarah Bernhardt. The opera blends elements of musical theater and cinematic opera, featuring a range of musical styles from the lyrical to pop, as well as traditional instruments and industrial textures.Setting and themes
The opera is set in an Irish border town haunted by The Troubles, the Northern Ireland conflict, and follows Cora, who inherits an ancestral power capable of saving lives but loses the ability to use it. The work raises broader questions about healing in the context of environmental crisis and a loss of humanist values.Creative team
The opera was conceived and musically created by Michael Gallen, with the libretto co-written by Michael Gallen and Annemarie Ní Churreáin. Staging was handled by Shawn Fitzgerald Ahern and Michael Gallen, with musical direction by Clara Baget and vocal direction by Romain Louveau.Production details
Video design was provided by Shawn Fitzgerald Ahern, while sets and costumes were designed by Pai Rathaya. Sound design was by Simon Cullen, and lighting by Yukiko Yoshimoto. The production was created by Straymaker in collaboration with the Kilkenny Arts Festival, Miroirs Etendus, Shawn Fitzgerald Ahern, and Once Off Productions.Funding and recognition
The opera was commissioned by the Irish Cultural Center in Paris and supported by The Arts Council of Ireland and Creative Monaghan. The work won the prestigious Fedora International Opera Prize 2025 with the support of The Silver Company. The opera has a duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
