Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Announces 2025 Season
By Afton Markay(Photo credit: Sean O’Riordan)
The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival unveils programming for its 15th anniversary season.
For the purposes of this article, only vocal works are featured.
Recitals & Mainstage Performances
Festival artists and the Discover Singing Children’s Choir perform in the opening ceremony.
Performance Date: May 27, 2025 (Lismore Millennium Park)
Purcell’s “Dido And Aeneas” is presented by mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy and the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Nicholas McGegan OBE conducts.
Performance Dates: May 27 & 29, 2025 (St. Carthage’s Cathedral)
The 2025 Bursary Award Winners, soprano Aimee Kearney and pianist Georgina Cassidy give a recital. The €25.00 award is made possible by the support of Conor and Mareta Doyle.
Performance Date: May 28, 2025 (Tourin House)
Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is up next.
Performance Dates: May 28, 30, 31, & June 1, 2025 (Lismore Castle)
Countertenor Iestyn Morris, mezzo-sopranos Gemma Ní Bhriain and Sarah Richmond, tenor Seán Tester, baritone Chris Cull, and bass-baritones Jakob Mahase, Rory Dunne, and Massimo Modoni perform in “Arias at Villierstown.”
Performance Date: May 29, 2025 (Villierstown Church)
“Shakespeare in Music” features songs by various composers, inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. Tenor Conor Prendiville, mezzo-soprano Sarah Richmond, countertenor Iestyn Morris perform.
Performance Date: May 29, 2025 (Villierstown Church)
A lunchtime recital features classical and operatic repertoire highlights from Blackwater Valley Opera Festival.
Performance Date: May 30, 2025 (Walton Park Dungarvan)
The winner and runner-up of the Irish Heritage Bursary 2025 award give a concert. This award is made possible by Michael and Gianni Alen-Buckley.
Performance Date: May 30, 2025 (Salterbridge House)
BVOF | RIAM John Pollard 2025 Bursary winners, Savannah Hilterbrandt and Remi Ludick present a recital.
Performance Date: May 30, 2025 (Salterbridge House)
The next open air lunchtime recital is held.
Performance Date: May 31, 2025 (Green Park, Youghal)
The Irish operetta, “The Tinker and the Fairy” by Michele Esposito is presented by soprano Amy Hewitt and baritone Rory Dunne.
Performance Date: May 31, 2025 (St. Carthage’s Cathedral)
A fusion of poetry and music performed in honor of George Bernard Shaw is led by mezzo-soprano Gemma Ní Bhriain, tenor Seán Tester, actor Barry McGovern, and pianist Máire Carroll.
Performance Date: May 31, 2025 (St. Carthage’s Cathedral)
The final open air lunchtime recital is up next.
Performance Date: June 1, 2025 (Castlemartyr)
“When Birds Do Sing” is performed by mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan and pianist Gary Beecher.
Performance Date: June 1, 2025 (Dromore Yard)
Soprano Amy Ní Fhearraigh, tenor Peter O’Reilly, pianist Frasier Hickland present, “Summertime.” This program features arias, duets, and classical favorites that capture the warmth and light of the summer season.
Performance Date: June 2, 2025 (Woodhouse Estate)
The Festival Finale Concert stars mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy and the Irish Baroque Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas McGegan. They will present a selection of Baroque hits.
Performance Date: June 2, 2025 (Dromore Yard)
Lectures & Workshops
Artistic Director Dieter Kaegi and the creative team discuss the planning and vision for this year’s production of Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Performance Date: May 27, 2025 (Lismore Heritage Centre)
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