The opening night of the 72nd Wexford Opera Festival was one to remember, see the guests, the excitement, the speakers and the dynamic productions…
Wexford Festival Opera, now in its 72nd year, is one of Europe’s most prestigious opera festivals attracting international visitors, opera devotees and musical enthusiasts, who are all drawn to the exciting programme and dynamic productions.
This year’s programme is particularly poignant and was created by Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi. It is inspired by the theme of women and war and features three main operas: Zoraida di Granata, L’Aube rouge and La Ciociara.
Zoraida di Granata by Gaetano Donizetti (1822) follows the experience of a woman drawn into war against her will, in a battle to save her love. L’Aube rouge by Camille Erlanger (1911) is set in France and Russia and follows the tragic love story of Olga, who strives to save her partner Serge, who has abandoned morality believing that change can be forced through bloodshed. La Ciociara by Marco Tutino (2015) is a contemporary opera inspired by Alberto Moravia’s novel based on true events and follows a mother trying to shield her daughter from the horrors of warfare in the aftermath of the Battle of Monte Cassino at the end of the WWII.
The Festival was officially opened on October 24 by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on Wexford Quay, where a fireworks display took place. This preceded the opening night opera, Donizetti’s Zoraida di Granata at the National Opera House where Irish soprano Claudia Boyle performed the title role.
It was a spectacular end to the first day of the Festival; earlier guests enjoyed the debut of an immersive community opera – a first for WFO – which saw members of the local community perform alongside a professional cast in a new version of Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, set in Wexford.
This is just one of 70 events taking place over 13 days until November 5. For tickets and further information visit, www.wexfordopera.com.
Click into the gallery to see the guests who attended.
Photographer: Patrick Browne
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