A powerful double bill by Irish composer Emma O'Halloran.
LA Opera's multi-season collaboration with the groundbreaking Beth Morrison Projects continues with a double bill of extraordinary West Coast premieres by Irish composer Emma O'Halloran. Read the rave Los Angeles Times review here.
TRADE is the story of a rent boy and his closeted client in working-class Dublin, both trapped within their own lives. Meeting secretly in a cheap hotel, they wrestle with their own inner demons and their need for each other. Three-time Tony nominee Marc Kudisch (star of LA Opera's Wonderful Town and anatomy theater) portrays a family man whose world is crumbling apart, with international recording artist Kyle Bielfield as a young hustler determined to take charge of his future.
In the compelling monodrama Mary Motorhead, a convicted murderer invites us to hear her secret history—the disappointments and betrayals that shaped her life—in the hope that it may shine some light upon the darkness of her actions. Mezzo-soprano Naomi Louisa O’Connell stars as the woman pushed to the edge by circumstance, now finding the road back to herself.
Rarely, if ever, does every element — score, text, singers, instrumentalists, conductor, director, sets, costumes, lighting, sound design — all come together. This is that rarity.
Swipe for More

Naomi Louisa O’Connell in "Mary Motorhead"
Craig T. MathewSwipe for More

Naomi Louisa O’Connell in "Mary Motorhead"
Craig T. MathewSwipe for More

Naomi Louisa O’Connell in "Mary Motorhead"
Craig T. MathewSwipe for More

Marc Kudisch and Kyle Bielfield in "TRADE"
Craig T. MathewSwipe for More

Kyle Bielfield and Marc Kudish in "TRADE"
Craig T. MathewSwipe for More

Marc Kudisch in "TRADE"
Craig T. MathewSwipe for More

Kyle Bielfield in "TRADE"
Craig T. MathewSwipe for More

Kyle Bielfield in "TRADE"
Craig T. MathewSwipe for More

Naomi Louisa O'Connell stars in the title role of "Mary Motorhead"
Ste MurraySwipe for More

Marc Kudisch performs the role of the Older Man in "TRADE"
Maria BaranovaSwipe for More

Kyle Bielfield makes his LA Opera debut as the Younger Man in "TRADE"
Swipe for More

Composer Emma O'Halloran
Alex DowlingCast
- Mary
- Naomi Louisa O'Connell
- The Older Man
- Marc Kudisch
- The Younger Man
- Kyle Bielfield
Creative Team
- Composer
- Emma O'Halloran
- Librettist
- Mark O'Halloran
- Conductor
- Elaine Kelly
- Creative Producer
- Beth Morrison Projects
- Director
- Tom Creed
- Electronic Sound Design
- Alex Dowling
- Scenery
- Jim Findlay
- Costumes
- Montana Levi Blanco
- Lighting
- Christopher Kuhl
- Sound Engineering
- Charles Hagaman
Performances take place at REDCAT (631 West 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012).
West Coast premiere
The running time is approximately two hours and five minutes, including one 20-minute intermission.
Click here to read the program.
TRADE/Mary Motorhead was commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects, Irish National Opera and Nancy and Barry Sanders, developed by Beth Morrison Projects, and produced by Beth Morrison Projects in association with Irish National Opera and Trinity Church Wall Street.
Off Grand productions are supported by a consortium of generous donors to LA Opera’s Contemporary Opera Initiative, chaired by Barry and Nancy Sanders.
Single Tickets Now on Sale
View Dates, Pricing and More-
AvailableOnline{{ performance.display_day }}{{ performance.display_month_clean }} {{ performance.display_date }}