Wexford Festival Opera has announced that Heather Hadrill and Grace Morgan have been named as the directors for the “Pocket Operas” of their 2023 festival.

WFO received applications from young, Irish or Ireland-based artists to develop stage concepts for the operas.

Wexford local Heather Hadrill will direct Donizetti’s “La fille du regiment.” Her directing credits include Handel’s “Acis and Galatea,” Purcell’s “Dido & Aeneas,” as well as works for Travelling Light Theatre Company and Four Rivers Theatre Co. In 2021 she was the Artist in Residence at Wexford Arts Centre. Conducted by Rebecca Warren, the cast features Isabel Garcia Araujo and Corina Ignat in the role of Marie, with Chris Mosz as Tonio, James Wafer as Sergeant Sulpice, Karina Demurova as The Marquis of Berkenfield, and more.

Performance Dates: October 25, 26, 28, 30, November 1, 3, 4, 2023.

Director Grace Morgan will lead the production of Puccini’s “Suor Angelica.” Currently the Artistic Director of Pan Pan Theatre, and a founding director of tasteinyourmouth theatre company, her credits include “The Sudden” with Dublin Dance Festival, “MESPIL IN THE DARK LIVE” with Pan Pan, and more. With Giorgio D’Alonzo conducting, the cast includes Emma Walsh in the title role, with Grace Maria Wain as La Zia principessa, Dominica Williams as La Badessa, Emma Jungling as La Suora Zelatrice, Erin Fleur as La Maestra delle novizie, Arlene Belli as La Suora Infermiera, and Jennifer Lee, Susie Gibbons, and Zita Syme as Genoviveffa, Osmina, and Dolcina, respectively.

Performance Dates: October 25, 27, 29, 31, November 1, 2, 3, 2023.