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 {…}
It has been two years, but the Wexford Festival Opera is back. If anything, the town seems more lively and colorful than I remember, and there is a definite buzz in the air. Although this is artistic director Rosetta Cucchi’s second year in charge, this will be the first opportunity for audiences to see her ideas at work, her inaugural {…}
The Wexford Festival Opera has announced its 71st edition which will run for 17 days from Oct. 21 to Nov. 6, 2022. The program will be built around the theme of Magic & Music and will feature three main stage operas, two Pocket Opera|Opera beag, a new commissioned opera by our 2022 Artist-in-Residence Conor Mitchell, and after hours Cabaret des {…}
(Photo: Marina Andrenucci) With Wexford Festival Opera about to start its 70th season, OperaWire thought it would be a good opportunity to interview one of this year’s star singers. Fortunately, we were able to catch up with the Italian soprano Valentina Mastrangelo the day before she flew to Ireland to start rehearsals. She will be appearing in the role Olivia {…}
Wexford Festival Opera has announced plans to continue its 70th anniversary season in a number of unique ways. In addition to its traditional festival, the organization will present several unique initiatives including W4WOMEN project which will include “Four Ambassadors” headlined by Eleonora Buratto, Mariangela Sicilia, Angela Meade and Ermonela Jaho. All four sopranos started their careers at Wexford and they will help {…}
(Credit: Fay Fox) Wexford Festival Opera has announced that it will present its 70th anniversary festival this October. The showcase, which will take place between Oct. 19-31, will feature live audiences at a reduced capacity. The company will also present performances online for those unable to attend the live showcases. Operas Productions The company will showcase several live opera productions, {…}
Opera and arts administrator Randall Shannon has been appointed interim CEO of the Wexford Festival Opera. The festival announced that earlier this year Wexford Festival Trust confirmed that David McLoughlin, its long-serving Chief Executive, had decided to leave the organization after 13 years in the role. Shannon was appointed as an interim while the board recruits a new CEO to {…}
David McLoughlin, the long-standing CEO of the Wexford Festival Opera has announced he will step down at the end of March. After 13 years as the CEO, McLoughlin announced that he had decided to make the move from opera to return to producing roles in the film and television sector from where he had come prior to his work in {…}
The Wexford Festival Opera has announced a cast change for its closing night performance. The festival announced that Claudia Boyle and Pietro Adaíni will replace Lisette Oropesa, who will be unable to travel due to COVID-19 restrictions. Boyle is a well known Irish soprano who has performed at the Semperoper Dresden, Irish National Opera, English National Opera, and Teatro dell’Opera di {…}
The Wexford Festival Opera is set to premiere “What Happened to Lucrece,” a unique opera experience with multiple endings. The opera is set to stream between Oct. 13-15 and each night will offer up a different conclusion to the work. The opera was created during the COVID-19 lockdown by composer Andrew Synnott as part of the company’s “Waiting for Shakespeare… {…}
The Wexford Festival Opera has announced that it will team up with RTÉ and ARTE to bring opera to audiences in Ireland and worldwide. The festival will run between Oct. 11-18 and features performances by Lisette Oropesa, Antonio Pappano, Angela Meade, Celine Byrne, Ermonela Jaho, Aigul Akhmetshina, Simone Alberghini, Nicola Alaimo, Daniela Barcellona, Joseph Calleja, Roberto de Candia, Paolo Bordogna, Helena {…}