Includes video interview with Melissa.
Ballerina Melissa Hamilton says to come full circle and perform at the Grand Opera House is special.
www.bbc.com
A very interesting story. Thank you so much for bring it to our attentions.
It's so good to see a girl from Our Wee Country make it on the big stage. And for her to not forget her roots along the way.
What she is doing, bringing performers from so many prestigious ballet companies to NI, is amazing. Not only is it a big thank you to her home country, but it will undoubtedly inspire some kids here to take up ballet. And it will hopefully help change the way ballet is seen here.
I wish Melissa every success in her homecoming performances, and with her production company.
Is the Grand Opera near you?
@CaroLiza_fan
The Grand Opera House is right in the middle of Belfast, about 50 miles away from me. (I'm right in the middle of Northern Ireland).
And by sheer coincidence, there was actually a feature about the building on today's episode of "Bargain Hunt". Here is the link on iPlayer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0024gn2/bargain-hunt-series-69-county-down-7
I've never actually been to the Opera House. But, it is an iconic building that is instantly recognisable to everybody in NI. I was shocked when I heard how close it came to being demolished.
No, I'm not shocked. We've lost so many historic buildings over the years. And continue to do so. Only a few months ago Havelock House, the former mill that became the home of Ulster TV for nearly 60 years, was demolished. And last week, preparatory work for the demolition of a historic bridge that is just a stone's throw from the Grand Opera House started. And just today, I saw a story that developers have applied to demolish most of a historic mill in Lisburn.
Sorry, I digress. I just despair about how much history we are losing.
As I have said to you before, the countries we were each born in have so much in common...
Anyway, thank you again for sharing the story.
CaroLiza_fan
