Every October, Wexford Festival Opera transforms the historic harbour town of Wexford into one of the world’s great opera destinations. This cherished autumn tradition returns from October 15th to 31st to celebrate its 75th anniversary.
Since 1951 the festival has welcomed artists and audiences from across the world to share something truly extraordinary, earning an international reputation for presenting rare and unexpected operatic works while launching the careers of many of the opera world’s leading stars.
What makes Wexford unique is that the entire town becomes part of the festival. Venues, cafes, restaurants and public spaces come alive with music as visitors and local residents celebrate together, forging lasting friendships and creating a sense of community that extends far beyond the stage. At the heart of it all is Ireland’s National Opera House, where the flagship festival events take place. Acoustically superb and visually magnificent, this venue is rightfully considered one of the country’s finest and is a destination in its own right.
This year’s landmark festival promises to be filled with memorable performances and the unique spirit that has defined the festival for 75 years. Speaking about the festival, artistic director Rosetta Cucchi says: “Wexford has always been about rediscovery and revelation. It has been about opening forgotten scores and finding within them beating hearts. It has been about young artists challenging themselves and seasoned performers finding new depths. It has been about that electric silence before the first note, when we hold our breath together in the dark.”
RM Block
This year’s main stage operas are Iris by Pietro Mascagni, L’equivoco stravagante by Gioachino Rossini and Sergei Prokofiev’s The Gambler. The 17-day experience also includes concerts, lunchtime recitals, shorter pocket operas, talks, free pop-up performances around the town and the magnificent 75th anniversary concert, Croí na Féile.
Mascagni’s Iris is a rare opportunity to experience Italian opera at its most atmospheric and emotionally raw. Directed by the festival’s artistic director, Rosetta Cucchi and conducted by Mascagni specialist, Francesco Cilluffo, this production also sees the return to Wexford of one of the world’s most acclaimed tenors, Joseph Calleja, who will perform the role of Osaka in this striking, symbolic masterpiece. The production is sponsored by British Airways.
A joyous early work by Rossini, L’equivoco stravagante is a fast-paced, playful exploration of social climbing and the lengths we go to for love. Musically brilliant, it’s the ultimate fun night at the opera. A sparkling farce of absurd misunderstandings, youthful wit, rapid-fire ensembles and comic excess. The production is sponsored by Elavon.
The final main stage opera, Prokofiev’s The Gambler, looks at the price of desire. Based on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s 1866 novella, the libretto draws directly from Prokofiev’s own gambling addiction. The opera follows the protagonist, Alexei, a young tutor, as he spirals into gambling debt while being obsessed with his employer’s stepdaughter, Polina. The production is sponsored by Danone.
The 75th anniversary concert, Croí na Féile, is on Saturday, October 17th. Expected to be one of the defining events of the birthday celebrations, the glittering concert will bring together four of the world’s leading opera superstars on one stage: Ermonela Jaho, Joseph Calleja, Daniela Barcellona and Giorgi Manoshvili. They will perform iconic arias from Tosca, Carmen, Don Carlo, Rigoletto, La Traviata and so much more.
In this anniversary year the festival has commissioned two brand-new works. These world premieres celebrate the beginnings of the festival and the community at its heart. Performed by The Wexford Factory participants, The First Festival reunites celebrated novelist Colm Tóibín with his regular collaborator, composer Alberto Caruso. A heartwarming and joyous celebration of love, music and a town changed forever, this operatic tribute honours the festival Tóibín has loved and championed for decades. The Wexford Factory is sponsored by PwC Ireland with additional support from The Community Foundation Ireland and the Fundación Arnhold de la Cámara.
The Community Opera has become a hugely popular part of the festival where members of the local community perform alongside a professional cast. This year’s opera is Still, life…, a brand-new commission by Ailís Ní Ríain, composer-in-residence at the festival. The production is sponsored by Energia Group.
As well as the main stage operas, the shorter Pocket Operas are a beloved part of the festival, cherished by regular attendees and a brilliant introduction to opera for first-time visitors. This year’s Pocket Operas are: The Rose of Castille (Michael William Balfe) and Much Ado About Nothing (Charles Villiers Stanford). The performances are sponsored by Applegreen.
For those looking to enjoy a more intimate musical experience, the Lunchtime Recitals offer a wonderful opportunity to hear principal singers up close in a relaxed and intimate setting. Held at St Iberius Church and in the O’Reilly Theatre within the Opera House, these recitals are perfect for those seeking a daytime cultural treat.
The festival also offers an engaging talks series including the much-loved Dr Tom Walsh Lecture, which this year brings together five artistic directors representing the illustrious past and vibrant present of the festival.
The Impossible Interview is another festival favourite with host Michael Dervan, who this year interviews Rossini, performed by Peter McCamley, who was not only the most famous composer anywhere in the world in the 1820s, but also one of the wittiest people of his time.
Now one of the most popular treats of the festival, the free pop-up events feature festival artists who surprise and delight audiences in unexpected locations around Wexford town. The pop-up events are sponsored by Castleacre Insurance.
This year’s late-night event imagines Wexford Festival Opera 75 years from now. Step into the future with a world-premiere song cycle from the brilliant minds of novelist Colm Tóibín and composer Conor Linehan.
The always popular Gala Concert, hosted by artistic director Rosetta Cucchi and broadcaster Marty Whelan, will be an extraordinary evening, where artists step beyond their roles to share the music they truly love including the arias and songs that have shaped their journeys and captured their hearts. The concert is sponsored by Range Rover.
Whether you’re an opera lover or simply curious, this is your year to experience Wexford Festival Opera.
The 75th Wexford Festival Opera runs from October 15th to 31st. Book your tickets at 053 912 2144 or visit wexfordopera.com.
Wexford Festival Opera would like to acknowledge and thank The Arts Council, Wexford County Council, Fáilte Ireland/Ireland’s Ancient East and the festival’s friends, sponsors and donors for their invaluable and continued support
