ON THE TOWN: Catherine Foley. Kathryn Smith sang: "His heart is mine and mine alone" from The Chocolate Soldier by Oscar Straus. "Our lives belong to one another . . . Come, come, I love you only," she sang, to the accompaniment of Pauline Cooper on piano.
It was a taste of what's in store this year at the 46th Waterford International Festival of Light Opera.
"The tradition of light opera started with William Vincent Wallace, the composer of Maritana," explained Denis McGrath, chairman of the festival.
"What we love about light opera is the wonderful happily-ever-after life that is usually what happens. It's boy meets girl, boy gets girl - with lovely music," he said.
The foyer of the National Concert Hall was given over this Thursday to the launch of the upcoming festival's programme. Paddy MacManus, the festival's treasurer, is especially looking forward to hearing Forum Pro Artifices, the Austrian company that will travel from Vienna to perform Carl Zeller's Der Vogelhändler (The Bird Seller) in the city's 18th century theatre, the Theatre Royal.
Frank O'Donoghue, festival secretary and chief executive officer of Waterford Chamber of Commerce, says this Austrian company is "entering into the spirit of the thing and translating the dialogue into English for the first time".
Eleven amateur opera societies will compete for 25 awards that cover all aspects of production. The festival runs from Monday, September 20th, to Sunday, October 3rd, and will also include performances by societies which do not compete.
A fringe festival will also take place to add to the entertainment. According to its director, Liam Rellis, who was there with artistic programmers Emer Powell and Jim Gordon, the fringe festival includes eight art exhibitions, five plays - including two from Newfoundland - street concerts, a picnic in the park and comedy events.
Among the lovers of opera at the launch were Vivian Coates, artistic director of the company that will perform The Magic of Vienna, and Jack Gilligan, Dublin City Council's arts officer. He was dashing off to attend the council's weekly Opera in the Open series, which is currently running through the month each Thursday at the amphitheatre at Civic Offices on Wood Quay.
For more information on the 46th Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, click on www.waterfordfestival.com or tel: 051- 874402