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TRADE

105

English

Synopsis

One of two one-act operas that make up the double bill TRADE / Mary Motorhead. The story takes place in a cheap guesthouse in Dublin's north inner city. A vulnerable, eighteen-year-old rent boy sits with his middle-aged client. The older man has blood on his shirt, and a great deal has happened since the two last met.

Composer

Emma O’Halloran

Lyricist / Librettist / Playwright

Mark O’Halloran

Year of composition/publication / premiere

2020/2023

Genre

Opera

LGBTQAI+ category

Gay

Level of centrality

Main character

Characters

Older Man / Middle-aged client; Younger Man / Rent boy (the characters are not given proper names)

Voice type

Bass, Bass-Baritone, Tenor

Pronouns

he/him

Publisher / Rights holder

Not Found

Where to buy / access the work

The recording TRADE/Mary Motorhead is commercially available on the Signum Records label (digital release: August 2025).

Performance rights

For performance rights, please contact the composer and/or publisher to ensure legal compliance.