We are thrilled to share the news of a monumental milestone in the legacy of Ina Boyle, courtesy of the Derry-based Le Foyer des Artistes — an international classical music ensemble founded by conductor Darren Hargan. Thanks to Le Foyer des Artistes and Faber Music, nearly seventy years after its creation, Boyle’s only surviving stage opera, Maudlin of Paplewick, will receive its World Première at the Festival Respighi in Bologna.
Date: 16th October 2026
Venue: Teatro Laura Betti, Casalecchio di Reno, Bologna, Italy
Presented by: Le Foyer des Artistes
Written around 1956, this three-act chamber opera is a lyrical, atmospheric tale of witchcraft and enchantment based on Ben Jonson’s The Sad Shepherd. The 622-page manuscript was left unperformed and forgotten until Le Foyer des Artistes founder Darren Hargan prepared a new critical edition, published in 2026 by Faber Music London.
This historic production features an ensemble of young Irish singers and is presented in co-production with the Festival Respighi, the Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna, and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Orchestra, with the generous support of Culture Ireland.
Tickets & More Information
Full performance details and booking links will be available soon. To learn more about the production, the ensemble, and to stay updated on ticket releases, please visit the official websites: