When the Festival began in 1951 it quickly took advantage of the local musical talent to fulfil the role of the chorus.  However, as the Festival grew and developed, so did the artistic demands of the chorus and it soon became evident that a full-time commitment would be necessary, an impossibility for the many volunteers who also held down jobs during the daytime.

In 1995, the then Artistic Director, Luigi Ferrari, introduced the Prague Choir to fulfil this role.  Although a professional choir, the Prague Choir was cast and managed independently of the Festival.  While this resolved an immediate need, it was never envisaged as a long-term solution for the Festival.

Since David Agler’s appointment as Artistic Director in 2005, he has set out to achieve three major artistic goals: the formation of the Wexford Festival Orchestra, established in 2006, the opening of the Wexford Opera House in 2008 and the establishment of a Wexford Festival Chorus, made up of rising young talent from Ireland and across Europe.

Commenting on  this artistic development, David Agler said, “I am particularly satisfied that the Festival will now have a chorus to call its own. Singers, directors and conductors come and go. The musical backbone of any fine opera house is its chorus and orchestra. We have now achieved this goal in Wexford and I would like to think that the establishment of the Wexford Festival Chorus and Orchestra will be my lasting contribution to the Festival.”

Each year, the Festival source and employs the finest musicians and young singers to form the Orchestra and Chorus of Wexford Festival Opera.

Orchestra & Chorus members are listed below:

Orchestra of the Wexford Festival Opera
1st Violins 2nd Violins
Fionnuala Hunt, Leader Andrew Harvey, Principal
Thérèse Timoney,Leader Paul O’Hanlon, Co-principal
Anita Vedres, Co-principal Justyna Dabek-Liebig
Karl Sweeney Rachel Grimes
Lynda O Connor Maria Ryan
David O’Leary Robert Mahon
Roisín Walters Rachael Du
Feilimidh Nunan Tom Crowley
Angelica Mihalache  
Magda Kowalska  
Katie O’Connor  
Violas Cellos
Robin Panter, Principal Robert Truman, Principal
Triona Milne Gerald Peregrine
Carla Vedres Peggy Nolan
Margaret Lynch Siobhain Lynch
Lucy Nolan Grainne Hope
Niamh Roche  
Double Basses Flutes
Joe Csibi, Principal Ríona O’Duinnín, Principal
Maeve Sheil Marie Comiskey, Principal
Paul Stephens Vourneen Ryan
Oboes Clarinets
Matthew Manning, Principal Tom Lessels, Principal
Emmet Byrne, Principal Conor Sheil
Ruby Ashley, Principal Suzanne Brennan, Principal
Bassoons Horns
Paul Boyes, Principal Nick Wolmark, Principal
Cliona Warren Conor Palliser
John Hearne Liam Duffy, Principal
  Joseph Ryan
Trumpets Trombones
Dan Newell, Principal Michael Lloyd, Principal
Rick Cowen Michael Marshall
David Collins Paul Frost, Principal
Tuba Timpani
Michael Levis, Principal Noel Eccles, Principal
Percussion Harps
Bernard Reilly, Principal Dianne Marshall, Principal
Chris Stynes Aisling Ennis
Caitríona Frost  
Keyboards  
Carmen Santoro  
Orchestra Manager Assistant Orchestra Manager
Caitriona Walsh Bernard Reilly
Librarian  
Sarah Burn  

 

Chorus of the Wexford Festival Opera
Sopranos Mezzo-sopranos
Nazan Fikret Natalie Sinnott
Anna Jeruc-Kopec Raquel Luis
Eleanor Lyons Eleanor Jean Greenwood
Maria Miro Emma Watkinson
Laura Sheerin Kate Symonds Joy
Angharad Morgan Kristin Finnigan
Eleanor Garside Mae Heydorn
Iria Perestrelo Anna Jeffers
Chloe Morgan Catia Moreso
Aimee Toshney Laura Murphy
Hannah Sawle  
Jennie Witton  
Ruth Kelly  
Elenor Bowers-Jolley  
Tenors Basses
Patrick Hyland Jamie Rock
Daniel Joy Adam Gilbert
Carlos Nogueria Christopher Cull
Alberto Sousa Ricardo Panela
David Sanchez Serra Owen Webb
Clement Hetherington Colin Brockie
Leonel Pinheiro Thomas Faulkner
Lawrence Thackeray Simon Meadows
  Simon Robinson
  Cozmin Sime
  Padraic Rowan
Chorus Manager Chorus Master
Elenor Bowers-Jolley Gavin Carr
Chorus Pianist  
Janet Haney  

 

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