Oliver Mercer and Sadhbh Dennedy in 'Orfeo', touring to Solstice.

While Monteverdi may not have invented opera, his 'Orfeo' is unanimously accepted as the first operatic masterpiece.

Opera Theatre Company's founding artistic director Ben Barnes brings a dynamic new interpretation to the timeless story of Orpheus, visiting Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, on Thursday 21st June. Director of the Theatre Royal in Waterford since 2006, Barnes' work has been seen in major cities internationally. Former artistic director of the Abbey Theatre, Barnes has directed extensively both at home and abroad particularly in the US and Canada.

Sung in English, Monteverdi's Orfeo displays raw emotions and a bold dramatic force which has the power to enthrall us now as it did for those in Italy who heard it first, 400 years ago.

The captivating music is performaed by the OTC baroque ensemble, conducted from the keyboard, by Andrew

Synnott. Design is by the multi-award-winning Joe Vanek, with lighting by John Comiskey.

The authoritative cast includes baroque specialist Oliver Mercer (Orfeo), Irish sopranos Sadhbh Dennedy and Daire Halpin, Karolina Blixt, returning US bass Matthew Treviño (Magic Flute), Peter O'Donohoe, and OTC Young Associate Artists Fearghal Curtis and Padraic Rowan. Orfeo will delight the first time opera-goer and the seasoned fan.