One thing about the Arts is that it is made up of a community of transients. The travelling Gypsy lifestyle is still alive and well and affects us all, including our beloved inaugural-blogger - ‘Ambloggador’ Justin. Justin’s love for Wexford Festival Opera was and still is evident, but his passion for the Arts ultimately led him to pack up his caravan, props & costumes and move along to the next town. We wish you well Justin. You are always welcome at the dinner table. And so the search for a new Blogger began – and ended quickly - as there is was no difficulty in finding people who share a warm affinity for Wexford and its beloved Festival of Opera; people who know the Festival and want to see it continue to be discovered. So when the music stopped – I was the lucky one that sat in the chair first!

However, I have to hold my hands up and tell you that, yes, I have a vested interest in Wexford Festival Opera!  I’m their Media Relations person at present.  But please don’t discredit me!!  I fell into that job much in the same way that I fell into this Blogging thing – I love the Festival.  I’ve come to know it; its strengths and its struggles. Wexford Festival Opera is what ultimately convinced me to move to this rural part of Ireland – before the Celtic Tiger – before the roads made it easy to get to the city or to the airport, before the invention of low-cost airlines, whisking you off to a multitude of cultural playgrounds somewhere else in Europe.

I initially trained in classical singing – fast tracked for a career in OPERA.  Until I found out how difficult and disheartening it can be.  It’s the Olympics of the Arts in my opinion and I wanted something easier on the ego with more performance opportunities.  So naturally I went into the theatre!  Yes, a profession that can be hard on the ego and lack performance opportunities too – but NOT like OPERA.  Kudos to those who work tirelessly to perfect their instrument and who persevere on a daily basis to be heard. It doesn’t happen by accident. 

So naturally when I moved to Ireland in 1994 from Seattle, I was instantly captivated by the Festival.  Something ‘international’?  In Wexford?  Opera?  Are you sure?  Besides the rare repertoire, the international cast and creative teams and the high standard production values, I was most fascinated with how they were able to do what they did on that tiny stage in the old Theatre Royal - without fly or wing space or much backstage area or even stage area for that matter! How many singers?  60?  On stage all at the same time?  It’s like some challenge on a reality TV theatrical design show!  But it was exciting!  It’s also exciting to see so many singers who started out in Wexford and are now found on the cast lists of La Scala and the N.Y. Met and/or grace the covers of international opera magazines.  This was before there were lattes or cappuccinos – the only coffee you got was instant – no bagels or Panini’s; the time where I had to drive to Dublin to buy Kos lettuce (£3 Irish!!!).  I sound like an historian or as if I’ve been attending the festival since the 50’s – but this was only 15 years ago!  But it has been my cultural oasis ever since.  And now we have a fabulous, internationally award-winning opera house - another significant milestone and a credit to the community in Wexford that made it possible.

The Irish have a great word to describe people who aren’t from here – We are called ‘Blow-ins’.  This term describes people who have moved to Ireland from somewhere else – but is also ‘stuck’ on people who have moved here from another part of Ireland or who have even moved from another parish within the county!  And, as endearing as the term is, it is also a constant reminder that you aren’t from here - you are different.  But Wexford Festival Opera was one place where I felt at home – amongst all the other ‘different’ people.  Wexford Festival Opera is much about ‘Blow-ins’ as it is about the many members of the community that volunteer each year to make it happen! 7 weeks a year, including rehearsal time, of culture, culture, culture!  Spot the opera singer – (hint: neck scarves and sunglasses!) Spot the tourist – (hint: it’s 8 in the morning, they must be Germans or Americans.  Check their shoes. Sandals with socks – Germans; White runners – Americans for sure!) I hear music coming from some open window – where are they rehearsing?  The town is nearly as vibrant during the build up to the Festival as the Festival itself!

I’ve been in the audience, sung on stage with them and now do their media work.  It was always seemed like home and now that is truer than ever, as I seem to spend more time here than I do in the place that I pay a mortgage for!  But it doesn’t feel like work.  It feels like Theatre –making; just another aspect of it.  Some do props, some direct, some do lighting, some sell tickets and some – like me- do as many of those jobs as I can.  Maybe some year I’ll direct an opera or maybe I’ll be a stage carpenter.  For now anyway - I’m your new Blogger.  Your ‘Blow-in-Blogger’.  I look forward to giving you a peep inside this place – and I’d love to hear about your insights into this funny, unique, homey, international, cultural Mecca…..............Wexford Festival Opera.

Till next time!

Lilly