General Booking now open for Wexford Festival Opera

Festival dates: Wed October 21 – Sun November 1, 2009

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General booking for the Wexford Festival Opera is now open - on-line at http://www.wexfordopera.com  or through Wexford Opera House box-office, telephone: Lo-call 1850-4-OPERA or (053) 912 2144.  Tickets from €25. 


Combining spectacular operas with dynamic artistic teams, both new and known to Wexford audiences, the 58th Wexford Festival Opera continues its reputation as a unique and rare experience.  This year the 2009 Festival will run from Wednesday, October 21st – Sunday, November 1st.

The Ghosts of Versailles by John Corigliano (Oct 21, 24, 27 & 30) melds together the worlds of Marie Antoinette, the French Revolution and the theatrical world of Beaumarchais’ Figaro, in an award-winning opera by the Oscar and Grammy winning composer.  The Ghosts of Versailles will also feature 2 Irish singers.  Baritone, Owen Gilhooly, who was part of the 2008 Wexford Festival Production of ‘The Mines of Sulphur’ which recently won the Irish Times Theatre Award for ‘Best Opera Production’, and Mezzo-Soprano, Paula Murrihy, who last appeared with Wexford Festival Opera in 2006, in another Wexford award-winning production, ‘Transformations’.  The Ghosts of Versailles is a co-production with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the first of, what is hoped to be, an ongoing artistic relationship with the acclaimed American Opera company.

A double bill of Une éducation manquée by Emmanuel Chabrier & La cambiale di matrimonio by Gioachino Rossini (Oct 22, 25, 28 & 31) brings comedy to the stage, with a musical score that sparkles with wit, vivacity and melodic spontaneity.  They are both directed by Wexford-regular Roberto Recchia, who has directed many times for Wexford Festival Opera: ‘Don Gregorio’ in 2006 and ‘Suor Angelica’ in 2008, being 2 of his most critically acclaimed works.  The one-acts are described as two enchanting portrayals of the consequences and comedy of innocent young love – in short, the perfect marriage. 

Gaetano Donizetti’s melodrama, Maria Padilla (Oct 23, 26, 29, & 1st Nov) is a tale of family honour and tragedy.  Written as a season opener for La Scala, Maria Padilla is one of the neglected gems of Donizetti’s mature period, showing the composer at his most dramatic.  No better to direct this Italian Melodrama than Marco Gandini, protégé of film and opera director, Franco Zefferelli.  Artistic Director, David Agler, takes to his natural home in the orchestra pit to conduct this masterpiece. 

As part of the Festival newly crowned winner of the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition, Alexej Gorlatch, is to perform a concert of his award winning repertoire, including pieces by Beethoven, Bartok and Chopin at Wexford Opera House on Sunday November 1st, 2009 at 11am in his first Irish recital since winning the prestigious award.  Alexej Gorlatch has wowed audiences as well as critics across the globe, leading the New York Times to say that his performance was “heartfelt, dignified and soulful” after his Carnegie Hall recital and that “his virtuoso performances are in stark contrast to his youth.”

There are a wealth of other events to choose from, including the ever-popular lunchtime recitals, The Gala Concert and the Prague Chamber Choir Recitals.  New additions to the programme this year include a performance by acapella phenomenon, Anúna.  To complete the experience for the enthusiast, there is also a vibrant fringe festival with art exhibitions, traditional music and many other events taking place throughout the festival.

If you do one special thing this year – visit Wexford Festival Opera.

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