Festival Diary 2021: Wexford Festival Opera, Day 2

By Operawire Staff

Following on from last evening’s wonderful production of “Edmea” come psychological thriller, in which the heroine disappeared into the nether regions of her own subconscious, the festival continued with its second opera production –  Ambroise Thomas’ “Le Songe d’un nuit d’été,” starring Armenian mezzo Hasmik Torosyan, with a stunning coloratura, as Elizabeth I, French tenor Sébastién Guèze as Shakespeare and Valentina Mastrangelo as Olivia.

Earlier in the day, we were treated to a full program of events, starting at 11:30 a.m. with a pop-up event at White’s hotel. Georgian soprano Sophie Gordeladze entertained us with four arias supported by three dancers, in which her rendition of Dvorak’s “Song of The Moon” received sustained applause.

Then it was back to the Opera House for a recital by mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan who will be singing in tomorrow’s opera “Ein Wintermärchen” by Karl Goldmark. She produced a mixed recital, with pieces ranging from songs by Jerome Kern to Elgar’s “Sea Pictures,” even taking in the “Habanera” from Bizet’s “Carmen” along the way. It was delightful performance, one in which O’Sullivan displayed an acute sensitivity to the meaning of the text whilst allowing her innate musicality to shine.

At 3:30 it was time for a performance of Bellini’s “I Capuletti e i Montecchi,” performed by singers from the Wexford Opera Factory. It was beautifully sung, containing standout performances from soprano Jade Phoenix and mezzo Anna Brady in the main roles.

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