The Lost Ghost of Ireland
This contemporary classical opera follows the brave and heroic story of a shy, middle aged Irish woman who exposes the plight of children abused by French nuns for several decades at St. Mary’s Mother and Baby Home, in Tuam (pronounced Chewm), Ireland.
Photo by news.sky.com
Photo by www.irishcentral.comThe Lost Ghost of Ireland
Music and Libretto by Richard L. Dodson –Copyrighted 2022
This contemporary classical opera follows the brave and heroic story of a shy, middle aged Irish woman who exposes the plight of children abused by French nuns for several decades at St. Mary’s Mother and Baby Home, in Tuam (pronounced Chewm), Ireland.
It tells how she challenged the Irish government and eventually succeeded in having the national government apologize for its negligence. A true story, this two-act opera was inspired by an article by Dan Barry entitled “The Lost Children of Tuam” that appeared in The New York Times in October, 2017. This heart-breaking true story has been rendered partly as a ghost story with a redemptive ending that should appeal to a broad audience.
Photo by www.independent.ieWill It Ever End?
Over eight years later, during the summer of 2025, the Irish government finally disinterred the remains of the children and buried them in various local country cemeteries.
However, a few months later in December, 2025, an additional area was discovered where children were secretly buried over the years at the St. Mary’s Mother and Baby Home.
Photo by nyti.ms
Photo by www.irishexaminer.com
Photo by www.irishcentral.com
Photo by people.com
Special thanks to the University of New Mexico Voice and Opera Department and especially to:
Assistant Professor James Flora
Keller Hall Production Manager Rebecca Smith
Keller Hall Audio and Video Recorder and Manager Liz Rincon
Piano Accompanist C. Maxwell Reilly
Web Designer Thais Coy at Fiebre.co
UNM Opera student Cierra Moore who sang two arias as Catherine Corless
UNM Opera student Reese Cruz who sang arias as Catherine’s husband Aidan Corless
UNM Graduate Student Amanda Rindlisbach who sang an aria in the role of unknown young lady who gave up her daughter to the Home
Rebecca Brunette who sang an aria in the role of the Home’s Mother Superior