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2009 Wexford Festival Opera ‘bucks’ the trend

(Wednesday, November 18, 2009) The curtain came down on the 58th Wexford Festival Opera on Sunday November 1st after twelve music-filled days and nights. With just 75 tickets short of 20,000 sold for 36 events over the Wexford Festival, capacity reached an overall 99.24% average.

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Audiences and journalists came from more than thirteen countries, including Ireland, UK, Sweden, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, US, Canada, Spain and Japan.  International visitors accounted for an estimated 30% of the total number of festival-goers. Commenting on the figures, Chief Executive of Wexford Festival Trust, David McLoughlin said, “We are particularly heartened that during these financially stringent times for the arts that the 58th Wexford Festival has bucked the current downward trend in terms of audience attendance levels, with an occupancy rate at all thirty-six performances and events during the festival far exceeding the current industry norm at less than 1% short of the highly elusive target of 100% maximum capacity.”

Wexford Festival Opera is currently conducting an economic impact study to determine the festival’s financial contribution to the local, regional and national economy.  The research is being carried out by Amárach Research and is evaluating data gathered during the festival.  It also includes a survey of local accommodation providers, including hotels, and a survey of this year’s 188 strong festival cast and crew, 117 of whom came from abroad, to ascertain their levels of spending during the rehearsal period through to the end of the festival.  It is hoped that the report will be published by the end of the year. 

The 59th Wexford Festival Opera in 2010 will also run for 12 days, beginning Wednesday, October 20 to Sunday, October 31, 2010.  The artistic programme will be announced in early 2010.
For all the latest information visit our website at http://www.wexfordopera.com

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