FESTIVAL NEWS - 19 OCTOBER | 31 OCTOBER 2021 - Wexford Festival Opera
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FRIENDS
2021
FESTIVAL NEWS
19 OCTOBER | 31 OCTOBER 2021
FUNDERS
&SPONSORS
Principal Funder
Grant Funders
Corporate Leaders
Corporate Sponsors
Official IT &
Communications Partner
Community & Education Partners
Media Partners
Accommodation & Hospitality Partners
2 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
able to share your cherished memories, from
your first time in Wexford to your favourite
opera or event.
The 2021 WFO programme continues what
has always been at the core of this much
loved festival, our rare opera productions,
recitals, galas and concerts. Determined
to welcome you inside our beloved theatre
once again, we have put all our efforts and
investment into a plan to reopen safely. Your
presence is the very soul of our mission and
we can’t wait to embrace you once again in
the National Opera House this October.
We will also continue on our path to
accomplish a wider goal, offering new and
different ways to connect with us from the
comfort of your home, as you enjoy our pop-
up events, videos on our YouTube channel,
lectures and talks.
One project that we were able to continue
despite the pandemic was the Wexford
Factory, our new Academy for Irish singers
and I’m proud to announce that our students
will have the opportunity to study with us for
another year. They will be able to catch-up
with their studies led by our award-winning
experts and to run for the chance to be hired
for a role in our main stage operas.
WELCOME
Our ambassadors will continue to spread
the word of our Festival around the world
and the sublime music of our operas will be
listened to in London, Moscow, New York and
Rome.
Our Festival is a musical treasure and my
Dear Friends duty is not only to secure it but also to
In February 2020 my welcome message ended enhance it.
with these words: “…Seventy events in thirteen In sending my sincere and heartfelt thanks
days with you, dear friends, bringing you into the to all of you for your support over the past
atmosphere of a local yet international Festival year, I want to highlight that your ongoing
where leaving is always sadness, but returning is a support is more essential than ever in the
joy.” I was so excited to be able to present my first forthcoming season, as we approach our
Festival as Artistic Director of a place that is so reopening and move forward with plans for
deeply in my heart. the future.
Then the world turned upside down, a pandemic Wexford Festival Opera has flourished thanks
struck and all of us were forced to re-imagine to the extraordinary artists, exemplary
our lives. Yet, here at Wexford Festival Opera we volunteers, amazing audience and loyal
didn’t let that catastrophic event stop us. patrons who have brought opera to millions
We reimagined the Festival, to become Waiting of people over the last 70 years and we are
for Shakespeare... The festival in the air and as particularly proud of what we achieved last year.
you couldn’t come to visit us, we came to you and Thanks to the countless messages from our
we entertained you with our voices and our souls. friends, colleagues and also our followers
This year we must pull together as we move online. We know that our music has helped
forward, but we will not simply pick up where we our audience to endure the burden of the
left off. The last 12 months have been hard but last months and my message this year is a
they have shown us how we can bring the magic of simple one: keep staying with us and help
Wexford Festival Opera to an even wider audience Wexford Festival Opera thrive and bring
and we are excited to keep exploring that path. music and joy to an even wider audience
To mark the 70th anniversary of our Festival we next year and in the future.
will bring you a whole year of celebrations from Together we will do it.
September 2021 to September 2022. You, along Yours,
with the hundreds of thousands around the world ROSETTA CUCCHI
who have experienced our past Festivals, will be Artistic Director
3 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
CONTENTS MOVINg
1. FRIENDS 5
AHEAD
A guide to remind you of all the advantages of I’m delighted to add my welcome to that of
being a Friend of the Wexford Festival Opera: Rosetta, and also introduce myself to our
a world of privileges to experience the Festival Friends as the company’s Interim
in the front row. Chief Executive.
Having attended Wexford Festival Opera
2. 70 YEARS YOUNG 6 over many years and worked with a
number of opera companies in Ireland
Discover all the exciting surprises
and in England, both as a manager and
we have in store for you to celebrate our
as an orchestral musician, I am happy to
70th Anniversary.
have this opportunity to play a role in this
magnificent company.
3. THE 2021 FESTIVAL 8 It is a strange time to join, with the National
The Festival in detail: Opera House closed and all communication
Opera, Concerts, Talks, Pop-Up events... taking place by zoom and telephone, but we
Your Guide to WFO is here. are determinedly confident that ‘normal’
life will resume shortly and offer this Festival
programme in the hope and expectation
4. SYNAPSES | The Point of Contact 24 that we will be able to welcome you back to
After its debut in 2020, the Wexford Factory
Wexford in October.
introduces an exciting new project. Notwithstanding this confidence, we are
Read all the details here. aware of the rapidly changing environment
in which we are living and our plans for
this year’s Festival are presented on the
5. BEING FRIENDS 26 understanding that circumstances may
Everything you need to know about being a change. Everything described here will
Friend of the Festival and of supporting the be presented in full accordance with the
Wexford Festival Opera. guidelines in place at the time of the Festival
and every effort will be made to ensure the
safety, comfort and enjoyment of everyone.
6. BOOKING | CALENDAR 30 We are immensely grateful to you for your
If you’re planning your visit to Wexford, start continuing support during this most difficult
from here: time and look forward to easier times ahead.
Tickets, Booking and more… Yours,
RANDALL SHANNON
Interim Chief Executive
4 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
PRIORITY
BOOKING
Friends have access to
Priority Booking.
Jump to page 38 to read all the details.
RENEW
INFORMATION & BENEFITS
If you have not done so already
please make sure to renew your Friends
membership with us as soon as possible.
This will ensure that you do not miss out
on access to the limited number of tickets
available. You can renew by contacting us
via the Friends contact details or online
through the Friends section of the website:
www.wexfordopera.com
FRIENDS
2021 BENEFITS
• 10% discount on accommodation reservations made during booking period
(1 June to 30 June) with our hotel partners by quoting ‘Wexford Friends’
• Complimentary Festival programme: available for collection during the
Festival from the Friends Desk in the Opera House Foyer (evenings)
• Access to the Friends Lounge during Festival
(Timings and Venue TBC)
• Friends Loyalty Card and lapel pin
• Exclusive access to the Friends online events during the year
• Welcome Receptions
(subject to the government guidelines)
2021
55 O P EW
RAEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
Being Friends of the Wexford Festival Opera
WFO 2021
means knowing the origins of one of the
highlights of the Irish and international stage
70 YEARS YOUNG
When Compton Mackenzie, the David Agler (Artistic Director:
renowned novelist and founder 2005-2019) presided over one
of Gramophone magazine, of the most exciting phases in
1951
suggested to Tom Walsh that, the Festival’s history when the
instead of just listening to old Theatre Royal, which served
recordings, he stage an opera the Festival for 50 years, was
2021
in Wexford, few could have replaced by Ireland’s first custom-
imagined where the idea would built opera house. In 2020 a new
lead. But since the first ‘Festival adventure for the Festival began
of Music and the Arts’ took with the appointment of Rosetta
place in October 1951, Wexford Cucchi as the new Artistic
Festival Opera has grown into Director, having been a regular
one of the world’s leading opera presence at the Festival for more
festivals. For nearly 70 years the than 25 years as a repetiteur,
Festival has breathed new life director and Assistant to the
into forgotten masterpieces, Artistic Director.
establishing a reputation for high-
But of course, the Festival’s
quality productions that, every
success is due in no small part to
year, bring thousands of opera-
Wexford itself and the hundreds
lovers flocking to Wexford from
of local, dedicated volunteers
all over the world.
who complete the Wexford
Since Tom Walsh first guided the experience. With a unique vision,
Festival to international success, outstanding production values
Wexford Festival Opera has been and spectacular setting in a
blessed with a succession of beautiful small town, Wexford
talented and passionate artistic Festival Opera is a remarkable
directors, all of whom balanced success story that looks set to
tradition with bold innovation. continue for many years to come.
6 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
WHAT’S
70 YEARS
IN STORE
Our 70th anniversary celebrations will continue
throughout 2021/22 with a programme of national,
international and online activities.
AROUND THE WORLD
WEXFORD VOICES AROUND THE WORLD includes 4 recitals
in 4 cities in collaboration with Irish Embassies.
THE DUBLIN CONCERT
An incredible year can only end with
a musical fireworks show, an orchestral concert at NCH,
with international stars (August 2022).
AMBASSADORS
We are recruiting a team of artists - singers, conductors,
directors with an artistic excellence in common in order to
spread the name of WFO around the world.
THE ZOOM MEMORIES
A cycle of 12 conversations hosting an incredible number of
personalities from the most diverse fields,
but each with a special link to the Festival.
WFO 70TH CALENDAR
Seventy videoclips, one for each year of the Festival, with
pictures, interviews and music extracts.
OUR COMMON FUTURE
A series of conferences about sustainability, innovation and
technology in the theatre.
7 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
8
Alfredo Catalani
OPERA
EDMEA (1854-1893)
WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
Edmea
Opera in three acts It is perhaps surprising that, apart from
his contribution to Verdi’s La traviata,
by Alfredo Catalani Alexandre Dumas fils hardly features on
Libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni the operatic stage but, in fact, his obscure
drama Les Danicheff appears as the source
for Alfredo Catalani’s fourth opera Edmea.
FULLY-STAGED PRODUCTION Turning Les Danicheff into Edmea involved
radical shifts of time and place and the
Sung in Italian with English surtitles ultimate happy end does not preclude a
First performance 27 February 1886, Teatro alla Scala, Milan
mad scene, one of the most successful
parts of the opera.
Edmea enjoyed some success at its
premiere at La Scala in 1886 and when it
was repeated in a revised version later that
Tuesday 19 October | 8 p.m. same year, the conductor was the 20-year-
old Arturo Toscanini.
Friday 22 October | 8 p.m.
Although Edmea was quickly overshadowed
Thursday 28 October | 8 p.m. by the popularity of La Wally, its lively
dramatic style and a score full of bold and
Sunday 31 October | 8 p.m.
colourful numbers – Catalani’s skills as an
orchestrator were considerable – make it an
O’REILLY THEATRE opera worth rediscovering.
NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE
TICKETS €50 – €170
“A happy end
does not preclude
Anne Sophie Duprels | Edmea
Ivan Shcherbatykh | Il Conte di Leitmeritz
a mad scene”
Luciano Ganci | Oberto
John Molloy | Il Barone di Waldek
THE PLOT
Leon Kim | Ulmo
Conor Prendiville* | Fritz, giullare Edmea is an orphan in love with Count
Oberto, whose father disapproves. In
*WEXFORD FACTORY ARTIST Oberto’s absence Edmea is forced to marry
the servant Ulmo, who is also in love with
her, but with the loss of Oberto, Edmea
is driven mad and tries to kill herself by
jumping into the river.
Francesco Cilluffo | Conductor She wanders the countryside with Ulmo
Julia Burbach | Director who continues to love her and pretends to
be her brother. They join up with a band
Cécile Trémolières | Set & Costume Designer of jesters and with them return to the
castle where Oberto has been mourning
D.M. Wood | Lighting Designer his loss. On recognising Edmea, Oberto’s
declarations of love help her to regain her
reason. Ulmo makes the ultimate sacrifice,
The orchestra will be reduced to accommodate the COVID-19 safety
requirements.
shooting himself, so that Oberto and Edmea
are finally able to celebrate their marriage.
9 WWEEXXFFOORRDD FFEES ST TI IVVAAL L OOPPEERRAA
Ambroise Thomas
(1811-1896)
OPERA
LE SONGE
D’UNE NUIT D’ÉTÉ
The title may recall A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
but the libretto of this opéra-comique plays in a much
subtler way. Shakespeare here is one of the characters,
together with Falstaff and Queen Elizabeth I.
10 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERALE SONGE
D’UNE NUIT D’ÉTÉ
Opera in three acts Best remembered for his operas Mignon
and Hamlet, Ambroise Thomas wrote
by Ambroise Thomas around 20 works for the lyric stage,
Libretto by Joseph-Bernard Rosier mostly forgotten although Wexford
audiences may recall his La Cour de
Célimène.
SEMI-STAGED PRODUCTION Le Songe d’une Nuit d’Été was a
considerable success and it is not hard
Sung in French with English surtitles
to see why it remained popular until at
First performance 20 April 1850, Opéra-Comique, Paris least the end of the nineteenth century
when The Musical Times was still
describing it as “a little masterpiece”.
It is an opéra-comique, a French genre
with spoken dialogue. The musical
Wednesday 20 October | 8 p.m.
characterisation of Olivia has sometimes
Saturday 23 October | 8 p.m. been compared with that of Mignon,
which is high praise, and although the
Monday 25 October | 8 p.m. score may not contain the sort of tunes
that made Mignon an undisputed hit,
Saturday 30 October | 8 p.m.
the music is richly melodic and full of
the gentle pathos so characteristic of
O’REILLY THEATRE Thomas’s work.
NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE
TICKETS €50 – €150 “It’s like
Shakespeare in Love
one century earlier”
Hasmik Torosyan | Queen Elizabeth I
Valentina Mastrangelo | Olivia THE PLOT
Sébastien Guèze | Shakespeare
Anyone expecting to see Oberon and
Tommaso Barea | Falstaff Titania will be in for a surprise. Le Songe
d’une Nuit d’Été has nothing to do with
Vasyl Solodkyy | Lord Latimer Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s
Rory Dunne* | Jeremy Dream; it is a fantasy about Shakespeare
and Queen Elizabeth I.
Kathleen Norchi* | Nelly The librettists portray the playwright-
*WEXFORD FACTORY ARTISTS poet sinking gradually into drunkenness
and debauchery until Elizabeth is forced
to remind him of his duty as England’s
literary genius. The third leading
character is Sir John Falstaff, Governor
Guillaume Tourniaire | Conductor of ‘Richemont’ (where the action is
set), intruding into the story a couple
Walter Le Moli | Director of centuries out of period. The lady-in-
D.M. Wood | Lighting Designer waiting Olivia is courted by Lord Latimer
but nearly loses him when Shakespeare
accidentally embraces her and then
The orchestra will be reduced to accommodate the COVID-19 safety has to fight the young peer. Not very
requirements Shakespearean at all…
11 WXEFXOF RODR DF EFSETSI TV IAVLA LO POEPREAR A
WEOPERA
EIN WINTERMÄRCHEN
Karl Goldmark
(1830-1915)
One of Shakespeare’s late romances,
its plot is filled with intense psychological
drama, but with a happy ending. Goldmark doesn’t
fail to highlight both sides of the original play.
12 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAEIN
WINTERMÄRCHEN
Opera in three acts
by Karl Goldmark
Libretto by Alfred Maria Willner
after William Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale
Some Shakespeare plays have been
set as operas dozens of times, others
CONCERT PERFORMANCE hardly at all. A Winter’s Tale features
somewhere in the middle, popularity-
Sung in German with English surtitles wise, without having inspired any
of the most famous Shakespearian
First performance 2 January 1908, Vienna State Opera
operas – which makes Goldmark’s Ein
Wintermärchen all the more intriguing.
Premiered at the Hofoper in Vienna in
1908, Ein Wintermärchen would prove
to be the last of the six operas by
Goldmark, considered a great magician
of orchestration. Contemporaries raved
Thursday 21 October | 8 p.m. about the ‘burning scarlet gleam’ and
‘sensuous iridescence’ of his music.
Sunday 24 October | 3.30 p.m. The librettist of Ein Wintermärchen was
Alfred Maria Wilner, one of the most
O’REILLY THEATRE prolific Viennese wordsmiths of the day,
NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE who also produced over 50 librettos for
Franz Lehár.
TICKETS €50 – €130
“Contemporaries
Burkhard Fritz | Leontes raved about
Sophie Gordeladze | Hermione his burning
Ava Dodd* | Perdita
Simon Thorpe | Polixenes
scarlet gleam”
Daniel Szeili | Florizel
Rory Musgrave | Camillo THE PLOT
Lancelot Nomura | Antigonus The jealous King Leontes falsely accuses
Niamh O’Sullivan | Paulina his wife Hermione of infidelity with his
best friend, Polixenes, and she is forced
*WEXFORD FACTORY ARTISTS to go into exile with her baby daughter
but soon dies.
Her daughter, Perdita, is raised by
shepherds and sixteen years later falls
in love with Polixenes’ son Florizel, but
Marcus Bosch | Conductor thinking she is just a shepherd’s daughter
D.M. Wood | Lighting Designer Polixenes refuses to allow the marriage
He changes his mind when Perdita’s
background is revealed; in the castle a
The orchestra will be reduced to accommodate the COVID-19
statue of Hermione comes to life and
safety requirements.
everyone is reconciled.
13 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAVincenzo Bellini
E I MONTECCHI
(1801-1835)
OPERA
I CAPULETI
The tragic story of the two star crossed
crossEd lovers
condemned to die by the rivalry of their two
families, is recreated in Bellini’s opera and gives us
a plot of overwhelming topicality.
14 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAI CAPULETI The tragic
story of
E I MONTECCHI
Romeo and
Juliet has
fascinated
Opera in two acts many writers
and even
by Vincenzo Bellini the Bard was
inspired by
Libretto by Felice Romani illustrious
predecessors that date back to Greek
literature, including a mention in Dante’s
FULLY STAGED PRODUCTION Divina Comedia. The most evident
literary source is the Novelle by Matteo
Sung in Italian with English surtitles
Bandello who partly inspired Felice
First performance 11 March 1830, Teatro La Fenice, Venice Romani when he wrote the libretto for
Nicola Vaccaj’s Romeo e Giulietta.
When the impresario Lanari offered the
young Bellini the opportunity to provide
Thursday 21 October | 3.30 p.m. an opera for the 1830 Carnival season,
Romani adapted his existing libretto for
Saturday 23 October | 3.30 p.m. the young Sicilian.
Bellini pays homage to the custom of
Tuesday 26 October | 8 p.m.
the time, of entrusting a young male
Friday 29 October | 8 p.m. character to a female singer and so the
two protagonists are played by a soprano
and a mezzo soprano.
O’REILLY THEATRE
NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE
TICKETS € 35 – € 125 “Probably the most
popular love story”
WEXFORD FACTORY ARTISTS (TBA)
THE PLOT
Capellio Capuleti refuses to allow his
daughter Guilietta to marry Romeo of
the Montecchi clan.
ConTempo quartet
He orders that her marriage to Tebaldo
Bogdan Sofei | violin should go ahead immediately but
Ingrid Nicola | violin Romeo and his supporters enter the city
Andreea Banciu | viola and disrupt the marriage celebrations.
Giuletta is informed by Lorenzo, the
Adrian Mantu | cello family doctor, that the only way to secure
her freedom from Tebaldo is to take
with a sleeping draught that will give the
Giulio Zappa | piano impression that she is dead, with the
ingenious idea that she will be revived
in the family vault where he and Romeo
will be waiting. The plan backfires when
Lorenzo is arrested.
Giuseppe Montesano | Conductor
Romeo then believes Giuiletta to be
Conor Hanratty | Director dead and takes poison, but as he lies
dying Giuletta awakens.
Serena Treppiedi | Set Consultant
Lorenzo rushes in, hoping to avert a
Frances White | Costume Designer tragedy but too late.
15 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAOPERA Andrew Synnott
OPERA
Artist-in-residence
IN GREEN ACRES
THE 47TH SATURDAY
The 47th Saturday is a new
chamber opera by Andrew
Synnott with a libretto by
Vivienne Howard.
It is based on a short story by
master of the form, Irish writer
William Trevor.
This nuanced and delicate
observation piece chronicles
the fraught courtship of a
mismatched couple in 1960s
London, introducing us to
two characters who are well
acquainted with loneliness but
making a grasp for happiness.
Andrew is a familiar face at WFO.
He has been appointed as
our new Chorus Master, and
has participated several times
as a composer on numerous
occasions: The Dubliners (2017),
La Cucina (2019) and in What
Happened to Lucrece, which
was produced and streamed in
collaboration with the Wexford
Factory in 2020.
Stefania Panighini | Director
Monday 25 October | 3.30 p.m.
Thursday 28 October | 3.30 p.m.
GREENACRES
TICKETS €20
16 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAOPERA
LE SONGE EIN I CAPULETI E
EDMEA D’UNE NUIT D’ÉTÉ WINTERMÄRCHEN I MONTECCHI
FRANCESCO CILLUFFO GUILLAUME TOURNIAIRE MARCUS BOSCH GIUSEPPE MONTESANO
Francesco Cilluffo has Born in Provence, he He was made He has received numerous
been appointed as Principal conducted numerous Generalmusikdirektor awards by winning national
Guest Conductor at the premieres and revived titles in Aachen, and has and international prizes and
Wexford Festival Opera for neglected by the standard held the position at the competitions.
Staatstheater Nürnberg
CONDUCTORS
the next three years. Festival repertoire, such as the first
from 2011. Conducting He has conducted concerts,
Friends will remember his ever recording of Le Chalet
internationally, he has operas and operettas in
previous appearances with by Adam and Scaramouche
been appointed professor Austria, Italy, Germany,
the Festival conducting by Messager with the Opéra
at the Musikhochschule the United States, Greece,
L’Oracolo/Mala vita (2018), de Toulon. His extensive
München in 2016. He was Ireland, the Slovak Republic,
Risurrezione (2017), and discography has received
acclaimed for his recording Romania and Russia.
Guglielmo Ratcliff (2015). unanimous acclaim from the
of Bruckner’s complete
international press.
Symphonies.
PRINCIPAL
GUEST CONDUCTOR
JULIA BURBACH WALTER LE MOLI CONOR HANRATTY
Her work includes Semele He was one of the founders, Recent projects include
(Shanghai lnternational in 1970, of the Teatro Due Ghost Apples (Irish
Festival), Das Rheingold Foundation of Parma. National Opera), King
(OFFIE nomination 2020) As Opera Director, he Lear (Festival in a Van
and Die Walküre (Opéra has staged important tour), Carmen (Opera San
National de Bordeaux and productions such as Jenůfa Antonio), Trouble in Tahiti
Grimeborn Festival). at the San Carlo Theater (Glimmerglass) and Maria
in Naples, Così fan tutte, de Buenos Aires (Cork
She was nominated as
Rigoletto, Il Trittico at the Opera House). Conor was
DIRECTORS
best newcomer in the 2019
Mariinskij Theater, Lucia di the J. and D. Rosenberg
Intenational Opera Awards.
Lammermoor at the Teatro Director-in-Residence at the
Comunale di Bologna. Atalanta Opera 2018-2019.
17 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERALUNCHTIME
CONCERTS
RECITALS
The very popular Lunchtime
Recitals move to the O’Reilly
Theatre, but keep on providing
an insight into the artistic
personalities of some of the
principal singers of the Festival.
Thanks to the informal
atmosphere and the crisp
acoustic of our Theatre,
audiences can appreciate
the musical versatility of solo
singers who perform a wide
variety of music from across the
repertoire, including operatic
arias, lieder, oratorio, concert
and popular songs.
2.
Wednesday 20 October | 12.30 p.m.
Thursday 21 October | 12.30 p.m.
Friday 22 October | 12.30 p.m.
Saturday 23 October | 12.30 p.m.
Sunday 24 October | 12.30 p.m.
Monday 25 Octpber | 12.30 p.m.
Thursday 28 October | 12.30 p.m.
Friday 29 October | 12.30 p.m.
NEW HOME, SAME ENJOYMENT Saturday 30 October | 12.30 p.m.
The O’Reilly Theatre is the temporary home for this Sunday 31 October | 12.30 p.m.
much-loved series of concerts.
O’REILLY THEATRE
NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE
TICKETS €20
18 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAANGELA MEADE
CONCERTS
GALA
WITH THE WEXFORD FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
CONDUCTED BY FRANCESCO CILLUFFO
We are thrilled to present
the return of internationally-
renowned American soprano
Angela Meade.
Angela is one of an elite group
of history’s singers, having made
her professional debut on the
stage of the Metropolitan Opera
as Elvira in Verdi’s Ernani.
In 2010, she made her European
debut in the title role of
Mercadante’s Virginia with
Wexford Festival Opera and
has fast become one of today’s
outstanding vocalists, excelling
in the most demanding of
heroines of the 19th century bel
canto repertoire, as well as in
the operas of Verdi and Mozart.
“…the most
talked about
soprano of her
generation”
(Opera News)
Wednesday 27 October | 8 p.m.
FRANCESCO CILLUFFO
Francesco returns to the podium after Edmea’s debut
and puts his baton at the service of this luxurious
O’REILLY THEATRE concert conducting the glorious WFO Orchestra.
NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE
TICKETS €50 - €130
19 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAGALA CONCERT
CONCERTS
“A Wexford Festival classic”
The Gala Concert is one of
the highlights of Wexford
Festival Opera and features a
collection of favourite party
pieces from members of the
Festival company.
All performers generously
donate their time and talent
for the Gala Concert, and
all proceeds go toward
supporting Wexford Festival
Opera.
Sunday 24 October | 8 p.m.
O’REILLY THEATRE
NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE
TICKETS €30 - €85
20 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERADR TOM WALSH
LECTURE
TALKS
COLM
TÓIBÍN
Music & Silence:
James Joyce’s Songs
In his story The Dead and his
novel Ulysses, James Joyce
connects his characters to a
world of singing and music.
This serves to heighten emotion,
throw light on character but also
creates a redeeming emotional
territory, powerful enough
to have important political
implications in a changing Irish
nationalism.
Colm Tóibín is the author of nine Review of Books, Irene and
novels, including Brooklyn and Sidney B. Silverman Professor
The Master, and two collections of the Humanities at Columbia
of stories. University and Chancellor of
His play The Testament of Mary Liverpool University. His work has
was nominated for a Tony Award been translated into more than
for Best Play in 2013. He is a thirty languages. His most recent
contributing editor at the London book is House of Names, a novel.
Friday 29 October | 3.30 p.m.
O’REILLY THEATRE
We are grateful for the ongoing sponsorship of this NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE
Lecture by Victoria Walsh Hamer who is the daughter
of the Festival’s Founder, Dr Tom Walsh. TICKETS €10
21 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAIMPOSSIBLE
INTERVIEWS
TALKS
MICHAEL
DERVAN
Michael Dervan begins a
new series of his impossible
interviews, and this time, in
collaboration with the writer
Jessica Traynor, he goes beyond
the boundaries of space and
time. In fact, he will meet
Alfredo Catalani, the composer
of Edmea, and none other than
the Bard in person,
Mr. William Shakespeare.
Sunday 24 October | 11 a.m.
Saturday 30 October | 3.30 p.m.
JEROME HYNES THEATRE
NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE
TICKETS €10
Our In Conversation talk will
give behind-the-scenes insight
into the 2021 productions.
Learn more about the creative
process and challenges faced by
the artistic teams as they work
to realise their concepts of the
operas and to bring them to life
on stage.
Get an ‘inside look’ and discover
the inner workings of the Festival
at these talks. You will receive an
e-vite prior to the event.
Details to be announced.
IN
TALKS
CONVERSATION
22 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAThe second year of the Wexford Factory
WEXFORD FACTORY
will once again offer professional and
financial support to young singers in the
early stages of their career. In 2020, the
Wexford Factory artists participated in
productions of Verdi’s Falstaff Chronicles
and Andrew Synnott’s What Happened
to Lucrece and in 2021 they will appear
in a production of Bellini’s I Capuleti e i
Montecchi and in the three main Festival
productions.
The Wexford Factory is a collaboration
with Technological University, Dublin; the
Royal Irish Academy of Music; and Cork
School of Music. It aims to train young
singers through intensive masterclasses
held by major international artists and
opera professionals, further confirming
Wexford Festival Opera as a centre of
cultural and also educational importance
in the opera world.
Wexford Festival Opera has always been
noted for its success in discovering young
talent and boasts a long list of singers for
INSTRUCTORS
whom Wexford was the springboard to a
major international career. The creation
of the Wexford Factory confirms the
company’s commitment to the continuing
support of young talent.
Ernesto Dmitry Rosetta Roberto
Palacio Vdovin Cucchi Recchia
MASTERCLASSES TEACHERS
THE FACTORY CONCERT
Ermonela Tara Gregory Sara
Jaho Erraught Kunde Catellani To close the Factory our fantastic singers
will present a special concert in front of
VOCAL COACHES AND PIANISTS the O’Reilly Theatre audience
Sunday 26 September | 7 p.m.
Carmen Andrea Giulio
O’ REILLY THEATRE
Santoro Grant Zappa
NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE
EDUCATIONAL TICKETS €20
To support this exciting initiative, please contact THE WEXFORD FACTORY IS KINDLY SUPPORTED BY
Ann Marie Dalton
Head of Development
by phone on +353 87 901 2925
or email adalton@wexfordopera.comom
23 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAOUTREACH
S Y N A P S E S T
THE POINT OF CONTAC
The new project aims to make connections between
new and old generations to develop
love for the world of Opera.
28 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
24 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAOur Pop-Up events are a series of
multi-disciplinary performances
featuring music, drama, singing and
dance, performed in non-traditional
settings around Wexford town. This
exciting new initiative is designed
to bring the Festival back into the
community of Wexford, making it
more accessible and inviting for
new and diverse audiences.
A map indicating the location of
these free performances will be
created to lead the public to venues
where these artistic spectacles will
take place, adding a ‘Treasure Hunt’
element to the experience.
SYNAPSES • THE POINT OF CONTACT
OUTREACH
One of Wexford Festival Opera’s
missions is and will always be
maintaining a strong connection
with the local community and POP-UP EVENTS
bringing different audiences and
generations together through
innovative forms of art. Tuesday 19 October Monday 25 October
Our new project Synapses was All the world’s a stage Listen to many
developed to advance these goals Juliet at the Balcony Juliet at the Balcony
even further.
Wednesday 20 October Tuesday 26 October
“We want to Symphony on a Shoestring Julilet at the Balcony
To be or... to dance
connect different Tea Time Concert
audiences and Thursday 21 October
Wednesday 27 October
Symphony on a Shoestring
generations” Juliet at the Balcony
Listen to many
Juliet at the Balcony
Through a series of Pop-Up Thursday 28 October
Events, which will take place Friday 22 October Voice in the void
in multiple locations around Juliet at the Balcony Juliet at the Balcony
Wexford town, we will bring the Voice in the void
music to the people and these
events will become a point of Friday 29 October
contact between the locals and Saturday 23 October All the world’s a stage
the Festival. Wexford Festival All the world’s a stage Juliet at the Balcony
Opera was created by the local
PAINTheatre
people and it is their vision and
spirit that will keep the Festival Saturday 30 October
strong into the future. Sunday 24 October Juliet at the Balcony
We will lead a campaign of Pop-Up Event
inclusion that will bring all Sunday 31 October
Be enchanted by our Pop-up Events
generations together through a and become part of our Synapses Juliet at the Balcony
shared experience in venues all project. Every day pocket-size shows in
Special Event
around Wexford. unexpected places.
25 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERATHE
IMPORTANCE
OF BEING
FRIENDS
SUPPORT
WHY WE
NEED YOU
Giving forms the cornerstone of Your invaluable support for
what makes the Wexford Festival Wexford Festival Opera enables
Opera truly unique. us to:
Our donors, friends and
partners are the heart of our • Breathe new life into the
organisation, without them we forgotten gems of the operatic
would not exist. Founded in world;
1951, and managed for many
years, by a group of individuals
• Discover and promote emer-
who gave freely of their time,
talents, and what limited ging national and international
funds they had, the Festival artistic talent;
has evolved to be a leader in
national and international opera; • Pursue our mission to support
praised worldwide by audiences and promote artists and to
and critics alike. invest in their future careers.
DEVELOP YOUR
FRIENDSHIP
As a Friend, your contribution ENDOW A SEAT
directly funds vital elements
of each Festival, including Endowing a seat in your name,
the Chorus, Young Artist your family’s name or that of a
Bursary, and mainstage opera loved one or friend is a wonderful
performances. Gifts can be way to support the Festival while
made in a tax-advantageous way being part of Ireland’s National
through our Irish, UK, and US Opera House, the home of
Charitable Trusts. Wexford Festival Opera.
26 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAMEMBERSHIP LEVELS
€ 80 € 125 € 185 € 300 € 500
PRELUDE CHORUS ENSEMBLE ENSEMBLE + ARIA
Offered to A great way Supporters are at Ensemble + Friends provide
younger music to support the the heart of the provides extra opportunities
enthusiasts Festival Chorus Festival, bringing benefits for those for a range of
who enjoy and enjoy many the warmth and seeking the best promising young
different musical of the benefits of camaraderie seating and artists from the
experiences full membership that provides priority upgrade festival.
and who are throughout the ‘Wexford privileges for The support
developing a love the year at an Experience’ like the 2021 season. provided ensures
for opera. affordable price. no other Festival. Contributions the continued
This membership Ensemble Friends at this level development of
level is available contribute (and above) both Irish and
to individuals directly to the may attract a international
aged 35 and wonderful Festival potential tax singing talent.
under. Orchestra. rebate up to
45%, making
your gift to
Wexford Opera
more impactful.
SUPPORT € 1,000 € 2,000
CABALETTA BRAVURA
Make your Friends
support go even This level provides support Provide funding support for one
further to a performance which will
be named to celebrate the
mainstage production each year,
helping to maintain the highest
Tax Relief (Ireland) commitment of this special
group. Cabaletta Friends also
possible standards. Bravura
Friends have the opportunity to
& Gift Aid (UK) enjoy access to the highest level
of priority booking.
meet with members of the cast
and creative team.
Support at all levels is greatly
appreciated and vital to
sustaining the work of the
Festival. By increasing your
Friends level to Ensemble
+ or above for the coming
season, you will be providing
the Festival with much
needed additional funds.
At these levels, contributions
from Friends based in Ireland
attract added value of up to
45% at no additional cost to
themselves.
Friends in the UK can
increase the value of their
gift by 25% when they
renew through the Wexford
Festival UK Trust, with mutual
benefits available to higher
rate tax payers.
32 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
27 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERABECOME AN ARTISTIC
BENEFACTOR
The Artistic Benefactors programme enables Wexford Festival
Opera to attract some of the opera world’s most exciting singers,
directors, and conductors. Artistic Benefactors receive recognition
in the Festival Programme as well as complimentary mainstage
Festival tickets to see the artist or creative team member they are
sponsoring. Artistic Benefactors receive a special opportunity to
engage with the artists while gaining insight into the world of opera
from the artist’s perspective.
Maestro level Production
benefactors (€10,000) Consortium
Provide support for Wexford Joining a Production
Festival Opera’s engagement of Consortium is a unique and
top-level directors, conductors, rewarding way of supporting
and producers for the main Wexford’s main stage
stage operas. productions.
As a member of a Production
Principale level Consortium, you will join with
benefactors (€5,000)
other like-minded patrons to
Support either a young/emerging
become part of the journey
artist or a well-established singer
from score to stage. This group
of their choice.
is involved throughout the
At all stages, opera is a creative process, gaining in-
vocation that demands intense depth insights as they watch
personal investment, and it is the artistic team bring the
encouraging for a performer production to life.
to know that someone in the
audience is behind them in President Circle
this most practical way. Lasting Make a major impact by
friendships have blossomed becoming a member
of the President’s Circle. Gifts may be directed towards
between artists and benefactors specific performances and
since the beginning of this Help to bring extraordinary
activities including:
initiative. opera productions to life in
a direct and meaningful way. • Mainstage Opera
Support at this level gives the Productions
artistic team scope to attract • Wexford Factory
exciting and innovative artists
and co-productions,thereby • Festival Concerts
raising the bar. • The Orchestra of Wexford
Festival Opera
• The Chorus of Wexford
Festival Opera
• Festival Education
Community Access Projects
• Any other donor-advised
performance, project or
activity
28 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAPLANNED GIVING
YOUR PASSION, YOUR LEGACY
Securing the Future with the 1951 Endowment Fund
Wexford Festival Opera remains committed to the founding
vision and legacy of Dr Tom Walsh to ensure the forgotten
gems of the operatic repertoire are given a chance to
glitter and shine once more. “Giving is not just
By planning a legacy gift to the 1951 Endowment Fund, your
thoughtfulness and generosity will help sustain the Wexford
about making
Festival and its dedication to rare opera into the future. To a donation.
learn how to help build the 1951 Endowment Fund, contact
Ann Marie Dalton by phone on +353 87 9012 925 It is about making a
or emailadalton@wexfordopera.com, who will be happy to
discuss the matter with you on a confidential basis. Your
difference.”
bequest can be directed to benefit a project of your choice
and will be recognised in a manner that suits your wishes.
SUPPORT
To support Wexford Festival Opera
through any of the options mentioned
above and in the previous pages, or to
learn more, please contact a member of
the development team
Supporting Wexford Festival Opera
Development Contact Information
Friends Membership, Corporate Partnership Major Gifts,
Artistic Benefactor and Corporate Hospitality Production Consortium,
and Seat Endowments and Legacy Giving
Louise Carley Adeline Minchin Ann Marie Dalton
Friends Relationship Executive Sponsorship Manager Head of Development
+353 53 916 3525 +353 85 7088031 +353 87 901 2925
louise@wexfordopera.com adeline@wexfordopera.com adalton@wexfordopera.com
wexfordopera.com/friends wexfordopera.com/support/corporate wexfordopera.com/support
29 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERABOOKING INFO
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and
in order to provide the level of social
distancing provided for in Government
guidelines, the number of tickets
available for this year’s Festival is severely
restricted. It is possible that at a later
date, restrictions may be eased and
more tickets will be made available but
initially we must plan for a level which can
reasonably be expected.
It is important that access is enabled
for those of our Friends who feel able
to come to Wexford this year, but in
order to achieve this we are forced to
restrict the number of tickets available for
purchase by each Friend for any event to
two. For Bravura and Cabaletta members
that restriction will be raised to four for
each event.
The online booking facility will be
suspended, at least during the initial
booking period.
“The show
is about
to begin”
Bravura, Cabaletta and Aria members
will be contacted by telephone and all
other members will be sent a booking
form to be returned via email.
These booking forms will be dealt
with strictly in the order that they are
received. The booking form will request
your ticket requirements under the
restriction of two per event but it will also
provide the opportunity to request more.
These requests will be added to a waitlist
and, should the availability of tickets be
increased, these will be honoured before
any public booking is enabled.
A telephone booking facility will be
provided for those members without
BOOKING access to email.
30 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERABOOKING
INFO
Dress Code
FRIENDS PRIORITY BOOKING
In keeping with Wexford Festival
Opera tradition, formal dress is
WHEN WHO HOW strongly recommended for the
evening performances.
WFO Team will be
1 June Bravura & Cabaletta in contact by phone Special Access
Requirements
WFO Team will be The National Opera House is
Aria &
8 June in contact by phone fully accessible for persons with
Ensemble + or by email restricted movement, both
ambulant and wheelchair-bound.
Ensemble, Chorus WFO Team will be There is convenient lift access
14 June
& Prelude in contact by email to all public spaces. Provision
has been made to accommodate
up to five wheelchair users and
Please note the following: their companions in a variety of
locations, each with sightlines as
• We must request that good as any on their respective
payments for all bookings be levels. A request should be made
made, if possible, at the time at the time of booking.
of booking or, if by cheque,
within one week. Refund/Returns Policy -
Exclusively for the Friends
We are doing our • While arrangements for
Subject to availability, tickets
social distancing in the
best to make your auditorium will be strictly may be exchanged for the same
Wexford experience observed during the initial opera on an alternative date.
Tickets can only be accepted for
booking period, should
pleasant and smooth. government guidelines be resale if the performance is sold
With your relaxed the capacity will be out. If your ticket(s) are resold,
you will be refunded, less a 15%
increased and such social
collaboration we are distancing may not be administration fee. If a returned
sure that, once again, necessary. ticket is not re-sold, Wexford
Festival Opera reserves the right
the Wexford Festival • Any requirement for to allocate the seat to a member
Opera will remain the wearing of masks
will depend on current
of the Festival Company.
an unforgettable government requirements. Please Note
memory for all of you. • To avoid missing any The Management reserves the
important ticketing right to refuse admission and to
correspondence with the change or cancel the advertised
Wexford team please ensure programme. Latecomers
that your contact details cannot be admitted once the
with us are up to date and performance has begun. Please
that you are able to receive allow ample time for traffic and
emails from the organisation. parking delays.
31 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERACHOOSE
YOUR TICKET
Operas & Le Songe Angela I Capuleti
Ein Winter- Gala
Mainstage Concerts Edmea d’une Nuit Meade ei
märchen Concert
d’Été Gala Montecchi
Founders Circle
Rows A | B | C €170 €150 €130 €130 €125 €85
Side Stalls & Boxes €150 €130 €115 €115 €105 €75
Circle
Rows A | B €140 €130 €120 €120 €100 €80
Rows C - F €125 €115 €105 €105 €90 €70
Rows G | H €100 €90 €80 €80 €70 €55
Side Stalls & Boxes €50 €50 €50 €50 €35 €30
Stalls
Rows A | B €125 €115 €105 €105 €100 €65
Rows D - L €135 €125 €115 €115 €110 €75
Rows M - P €130 €120 €110 €110 €105 €70
Side Stalls €50 €50 €50 €50 €35 €30
Other Events
Lunchtime Concerts €20 Opera in Green Acres €20 Impossible Interviews €10
The Factory Concert €20 Dr Tom Walsh Lecture €10
(September 26)
32 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAFESTIVAL CALENDAR
Sunday 26 September Monday 25 October
7 p.m. Wexford Factory Concert Pop-Up Events
12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital
Tuesday 19 October 3.30 p.m. Opera at Green Acres
Pop-Up Events 8 p.m. Le Songe d’une Nuit d’Été
8 p.m. Edmea
Tuesday 26 October
Wednesday 20 October Pop-Up Events
Pop-Up Events 8 p.m. I Capuleti e i Montecchi
12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital
Wednesday 27 October
8 p.m. Le Songe d’une Nuit d’Été
Pop-Up Events
8 p.m. Angela Meade Concert
Thursday 21 October
Pop-Up Events
Thursday 28 October
12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital
Pop-Up Events
3.30 p.m. I Capuleti e i Montecchi
12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital
8 p.m. Ein Wintermärchen
3.30 p.m. Opera at Green Acres
8 p.m. Edmea
Friday 22 October
Pop-Up Events Friday 29 October
12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital Pop-Up Event
8 p.m. Edmea 12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital
3.30 p.m. Dr Tom Walsh Lecture
Saturday 23 October 8 p.m. I Capuleti e i Montecchi
Pop-Up Events
12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital Saturday 30 October
3.30 p.m. I Capuleti e i Montecchi Pop-Up Events
8 pm. Le Songe d’une Nuit d’Été 12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital
3.30 p.m. Impossible Interview
Sunday 24 October 8 p.m. Le Songe d’une Nuit d’Été
Pop-Up Event
11 a.m. Impossible Interview Sunday 31 October
12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital Pop-Up Event
3.30 p.m. Ein Wintermärchen 12.30 p.m. Lunchtime Recital
8 p.m Gala Concert 8 p.m. Edmea
BOOKING
33 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERAClayton Whites Hotel
ACCOMMODATION
4-STAR CLAYTON WHITES HOTEL 4-STAR FERRYCARRIG HOTEL
Clayton Whites Hotel is one of the leading The nationally and internationally renowned
4-star hotels in Wexford, conveniently 4-star Ferrycarrig Hotel boasts one of the
located in Wexford town centre making it most inspiring locations of any hotel in
an ideal base for Wexford Festival Opera Wexford or, indeed, Ireland, with sweeping
2021 (only a 3-minute walk to the National views across the River Slaney.
Opera House). The hotel is within a 5-minute The hotel is a perfect location for your visit
stroll of the train and bus stations and is a to the 2021 Festival.
20-minute drive from Rosslare Europort.
One Night Bed & Breakfast with dinner and
Stay in the heart of the Festival at Clayton evening transfers to the Opera from €130
Whites Hotel. pps midweek
Bed & Breakfast Packages from €105 pps Wexford Festival Opera Friends receive a
Wexford Festival Opera Friends receive a 10% discount! To book during the Priority
10% discount off B&B packages during the Booking period of 1st June - 30th June,
priority booking period! To book during the please call Ferrycarrig Hotel reservations on
Priority Booking period of 1st June - 30th +353 53 915 3623
June 2021, please call Clayton Whites Hotel T: +353 53 915 3623
reservations on +353 53 912 2311 E: reservations@ferrycarrighotel.com
T: +353 53 912 2311 W: ferrycarrighotel.ie
E: info.whites@claytonhotels.com
W: claytonwhiteshotel.com
4-STAR TALBOT HOTEL WEXFORD
4-STAR KELLY’S RESORT HOTEL
The 4-star quay front Talbot Hotel is ideally
The 4-star Kelly’s Resort Hotel is uniquely
located in the heart of Wexford town. This is
situated along five miles of safe sandy beach
one of the finest hotels in Wexford, boasting
in Rosslare, Co. Wexford.
panoramic views of the quays and the River
Slaney. For information on availability during this
year’s Festival please contact via details
Two Nights B&B with one dinner
below.
from €229pps
T: +353 53 913 2114
Wexford Festival Opera Friends receive a
10% discount! E: info@kellys.ie
To book during the Priority Booking period W: Kellys.ie
in June, please call Talbot Hotel reservations
on +353 53 912 2566 - Monday to Saturday
between the hours of 10am and 5pm.
E: reservations@talbothotel.ie
W: talbothotel.ie
VISIT
34 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERATRAVEL
TRAVELLING BY CAR
FROM DUBLIN AIRPORT/DUBLIN
Wexford Town is a two-hour drive from Dublin Travel options to Wexford from Dublin Airport
Airport. If you are travelling from Dublin Airport you include car hire, train (Irishrail.ie) and express coach
can avoid Dublin city centre by two routes: (Buseireann.ie and Wexfordbus.com).
Route 1: Follow the M50 Southbound and join the
M11 heading towards Wexford/Rosslare. WEXFORD BUS
Route 2: Follow the signs for the City Centre and FROM DUBLIN CITY AND AIRPORT
take the route for the Port Tunnel, follow signs for
the East Link Bridge and the M11. Wexford Bus offers the fastest, most reliable bus
service between Wexford and Dublin city and
Continue on the M11, and at the Gorey bypass you airport. It is the ideal option for overseas visitors to
can choose to stay on the M11 and travel through the Festival. With up to twelve daily services each
Oylegate to Wexford via Ferrycarrig Bridge, or way, a range of great value tickets and free wi-fi on
you can take Exit 23 to R741 and follow the signs board, Wexford Bus is a comfortable and efficient
for Ballycanew, and this route will bring you into way to travel to and from Dublin Airport. For details
Wexford Town via Wexford Bridge. of the timetable and fares visit Wexfordbus.com.
35 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA36 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA
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