composed by Evangelia Rigaki
libretto by Marina Carr
directed by Louise Lowe
conducted by Elaine Kelly
Old Ghosts, written in response to the Penelope chapter of Ulysses, was a new opera commissioned from the composer Evangelia Rigaki and playwright Marina Carr. It imagines James Joyce in conversation with Nora Barnacle, Homer and Penelope herself as possible inspirations for the character of Molly Bloom and the final chapter of Ulysses. It was created by Irish National Opera and Anu Productions as part of Ulysses 2.2, a year-long artistic response to the 18 episodes of Ulysses that chronicled an ordinary day in the life of Leopold Bloom. Ulysses 2.2 was produced by Landmark Productions, Anu Productions and Museum of Literature Ireland and funded by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
The world premiere of Old Ghosts was performed live at the Museum of Literature Ireland from 2-4 February 2023. It marked the culmination of the Ulysses 2.2 year-long programme. Old Ghosts was also free to view worldwide online on OperaVision from 16 June – 16 December 2023.