The Wexford Festival Opera has announced the first-ever participants of the Wexford Factory.

The factory is a two-week academy that aims to mentor young singers through masterclasses from international artists and professionals including famed tenor Juan Diego-Flórez, Irish soprano Celine Byrne, Ernesto Palacio of the Rossini Opera Festival, and Dmitry Vdovin, head of the Bolshoi’s Young Artist program. Additionally, Veteran Wexford Festival Opera director Roberto Recchia, Classical Music journalist Michael Dervan, movement specialist Sara Catellani, Cucchi will also provide guidance.

The 12 Irish or Irish-based singers who will be part of the factory include Anna Brady, Ava Dodd, Rory Dunne, Andrew Gavin, Francesca Federico, David Howes, Kathleen Norchi, Conall William O’Neill, Jade Phoenix, Sarah Richmond, Sarah Shine, Vladimir-Mihai Sima.

“The best memories of my life are associated with the academies I attended in my youth,” said Wexford Festivao Opera Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi. “That is where I learned the true meaning of professionalism and how I could continue to challenge myself as an artist. This is the reason I decided to establish the Wexford Factory.  It is the duty of every highly regarded international festival such as Wexford to give a new generation of singers the opportunity to grow; giving them wings to fly in their careers.”

Graduating students will perform in one of the Pocket Operas / Opera Beag Shakespeare for Fun, a reduced production of Verdi’s “Falstaff” which will be performed this October in the National Opera House.

The Wexford Festival Opera is set to run from Oct. 20 through Nov. 1, 2020.