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Join The Friends of NI Opera

Thanks to the success of Northern Ireland Opera since our first performance in 2011, opera is now one of the most exciting art forms in this country. To build a sustainable future for opera, nurturing young Northern Irish opera singers and developing an increasingly ambitious opera programme, we need the support of opera lovers everywhere.
With your sustained support, we can achieve much, much more. Our ambition is to be recognised as one of the leading opera companies in Europe, producing regular and frequent operas of exceptional quality and innovation, and creating a cultural environment in Northern Ireland that supports young talent and encourages people of all ages and from all parts of society to experience and enjoy.

Sean Rafferty, Patron, Northern Ireland Opera

By joining our Friends programme, your support will help develop operatic and creative talent through our Artist Development Programmes, and help us introduce opera to new audiences. The gallery below shows some of the range of productions, events, festivals, workshops and opportunities we can deliver with the support of our funders, sponsors and Friends.

Become part of our story and help us celebrate and showcase Northern Ireland’s musical, creative and artistic talent.


£50  Friends Community (£20 Students)

  • A gift of £50 per year could support a vocal coaching session for a member of the NI Opera Chorus, giving them the opportunity to hone some repertoire for performance or auditions.  
  • Become a Friend today and explore the world of opera through a dedicated quarterly Friends newsletter and exclusive insights straight to your inbox. 

£100  Supporting Friends (£150 per couple)

  • A donation of £100 per year could help us to cover the cost of two scores (hard copies) for singers in a main stage production like Eugene Onégin.   
  • As a Supporting Friend, in addition to the above, you can receive exclusive ticket offers and invitations to special events. 

 £250  Contributing Friends (£400 per couple)

  • You can make a huge difference through an annual gift of £250 which could provide a morning of opera experience for our youngest opera audiences, with three sessions of ‘Opera Tots’ bringing parents/guardians and children together to enjoy an interactive music session which introduces both parents and babies to the magic of opera for the first time. 
  • Get closer to NI Opera as a Contributing Friend, and in addition to the above, enjoy insights into the creative process and opportunities to learn more about the making of our work. 

£500  Benefactors (£700 per couple)

  • Join the Benefactors for £500 per year and your gift will help to make a demonstrable impact on our work. It could support the creation, design and execution of costumes for a key character in our main stage production in the Grand Opera House in Belfast each September. 
  • As a thank you, we will bring you to the heart of our organisation, enabling you to experience first-hand the difference your support makes. 

NB. Please be advised that these subscription rates are valid until the end of the year. We are currently reviewing what we offer within each tier, to enhance each one and make it more attractive, and as such, we are envisaging that what we will offer Friends will change slightly over the coming months.