My first children’s opera, The North Wind and the Sun, based on one of Aesop’s fables, will be performed by Ulster Youth Opera as part of Belfast Children’s Festival, on Saturday March 7th, 2026

This is a fantastic introduction to the world of opera and is suitable for all the family. There will be three Aesop’s Fable operas in total, with The Tortoise and the Hare by Áine Mallon and The Boy who Cried Wolf by Anselm McDonnell also being performed. The children’s choirs are from all over Northern Ireland – Belfast, Enniskillen and Derry/Londonderry – and there are also special guests from Welsh National Youth Opera. The performances also include actress Christina Nelson, soprano Rebecca Murphy and Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble – my fifth time working with this wonderful ensemble. The conductor will be the energetic Paul McCusker and the opera directors are the wonderful Shannen MacNeice and Paddy McEnearney.

It’s on at Clonard Monastery, Belfast, BT13 2RL on Saturday 7th March

Perfomances at 2.30pm and 4pm

Tickets only £6

More information and tickets available here: https://ulstertouringopera.com/shows/aesops-fables/

Hear me and Ulster Touring Opera Artistic Director Dafydd Hall Williams chatting with Kathy Clugston about the Aesop’s Fables project on BBC Radio Ulster https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rs6f

Images: The North Wind and the Sun, Milo Winter, Aesop Anthology, 1919