(Photo: Padraig Grant) Few people will be familiar with the operas of the 19th century British composer Alfred Cellier. Yet during his day, he was well-known for his comic operas, which are very much in the mould of Gilbert & Sullivan, although he never really posed a threat to their dominance. In 1886, his opera “Dorothy” broke all records with {…}
(Photo: Padraig Grant) As part of Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi’s remodeling of the Wexford Festival Opera, the afternoon performances of “opera shorts,” shortened versions of well-known operas played to piano accompaniment, have been replaced by a production for young singers from the Wexford Factory program and “pocket operas,” new or rarely performed operas, aimed at providing members of the Wexford {…}
Hila Baggio is an Israeli soprano with an international career who now resides in Europe. She has a wide repertoire ranging from the standard operatic roles to contemporary and liturgical music, and has appeared in numerous high profile productions, alongside many eminent musicians, including Daniel Barenboim for a staged production of “Pierrot Lunaire” in Berlin. Currently, she is performing Miranda {…}
(Photo: Clive Barda) Jade Phoenix was one of the first students to pass through Wexford Festival Opera’s Factory, a learning program for young singers starting out in their careers. As part of the course, she performed on the festival’s main stage in the role of Giuliette in Bellini’s “I Capuletti e i Montecchi.” Such was the strength of her interpretation {…}
(Photo: Frances Marshall) Following a series of glowing reviews for her performance as Elsa in Covent Garden’s 2018 production of “Lohengrin,” Irish soprano Jennifer Davis’ meteoric rise continues apace. Currently, she is performing the title role in Dvorak’s “Armida” at the Wexford Festival Opera. OperaWire: What was the first opera you saw? Jennifer Davis: “Porgy & Bess” at Cork Opera {…}
Over the past ten to fifteen years, there has been an impressive supply of high-quality Irish female singers establishing successful international careers for themselves. However, this has not been the case with male singers, who appear to struggle to secure roles, even at Irish National Opera. One singer who appears about to buck the trend is bass-baritone Rory Dunne, who {…}
During the Covid pandemic in 2020, OperaWire interviewed mezzo-soprano Arlene Belli. Two years on, and she finds herself at the Wexford Festival Opera performing the role of Lady Louise Wolseley in “The Master” by Alberto Caruso, based on Colm Tóibín’s novel about the author Henry James. OperaWire: What was the first opera you saw? Arlene Belli: “Aida” in the Verona {…}
The Turin born conductor, Francesco Cilluffo, has been a regular at Wexford since making his festival debut in 2015. In 2020, he was appointed its principal conductor, and this year will conduct four performances of Fromental Halévy’s “La Tempesta.” OperaWire: What was the first opera production you attended? Francesco Cilluffo: “Don Giovanni” at the Turin opera, when I was six {…}
(Photo: Armati Bacciardi) It is that time of year again when the temperatures start to drop and the nights start to draw in, which also means it is time to head off to Wexford for its annual opera festival, which will run from October 21st to November 6th. After two years of disruption caused by the measures aimed at controlling {…}
Rosetta Cucchi is a successful international stage director and the artistic director of Wexford Opera Festival. OperaWire: What was the first opera you attended? Rosetta Cucchi: “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” by Rossini OW: What was the first opera you directed? RC: “La Scala di Seta” by Rossini OW: What is the next opera you are scheduled to direct? RC: “Adriana {…}
(Photo: Patrick Browne) Opera in Ireland has recently been going through a boom time. Whereas only a few years ago, Irish singers were being forced to look abroad to establish a career, owing to the lack of opportunities at home, now, with the emergence of Opera Collective Ireland, the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, and, most significantly, Irish National Opera, along {…}
