It was announced at a ceremony in Salzburg today that Landmark Productions and Irish National Opera have been awarded the hugely prestigious Fedora – Generali Prize for Opera 2017.

The award is for The Second Violinist, a new opera composed by Donnacha Dennehy and written and directed by Enda Walsh, which will have its world premiere on 27 July at Galway International Arts Festival and will also run as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2017 from 2-8 October.

The Prize was awarded in the face of stiff competition from a number of the world’s other leading opera producers, including Teatro alla Scala Milano, English National Opera, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona and Danish National Opera, amongst others.

Opera Europa, the professional Association of Opera Houses and Festivals in Europe – representing over 170 opera houses and festivals in 43 different countries – assessed the applications and drew up the shortlists, which were presented to two independent jury panels.

The award of €150,000 will enable Landmark Productions and Irish National Opera to forge new producing partnerships and ensure that The Second Violinist tours internationally in 2018.

Donnacha Dennehy and Enda Walsh discuss The Second Violinist