Applications for the 2026 Wexford Factory are Open

ABOUT THE WEXFORD FACTORY

Wexford Festival Opera established the Wexford Factory in 2020 to offer professional and financial support to young singers, pianists and stage managers in the early stages of their careers. Now entering its seventh year, WFO is looking forward to auditioning the next generation of operatic talent for the 2026 Wexford Factory.

Wexford Festival Opera’s aim in creating the Wexford Factory is to offer one of the world’s most formative experiences for young opera singers, pianists and stage managers who are about to take the biggest step of all into a fully professional career. Working closely with our partners, the Rossini Opera Festival ‘Alberto Zedda Academy’, in Pesaro, and Opera for Peace, the programme will help participants hone their musical and professional skills, equipping them with the necessary skills to start a brilliant career in the industry.

PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES

The Wexford Factory is a bi-annual programme that provides comprehensive training for young singers, pianists and stage managers through intensive masterclasses delivered by international artists and professionals. Since its inception, the renowned Wexford Festival Opera has evolved into a globally recognised centre of cultural and educational importance in the international opera world.

The role of talent scouting, which Wexford Festival Opera has always cultivated over the years, continues to be one of the strategic points of its artistic vision. International and renowned artists will forever be linked with the Wexford Festival Opera and its young artist programme, which serves as a vital step forward for them in their careers. Building on this vision, the Wexford Factory will serve as a dynamic incubator for emerging artists, offering them opportunities to perform in Festival events and star in a dedicated opera production created exclusively for them.

The collaboration with RIAM (Royal Irish Academy of Music) and TUD (Technological University Dublin) will be vital for achieving these aims.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

1. ENROLMENT

Applications are now open for the 2026 Wexford Factory, promoted and organised by the Wexford Festival Opera. Auditions will take place in Dublin on the following dates: 1st and 2nd February for singers and 3rd February for pianists.

2. REQUIREMENTS

The course is aimed at singers, pianists and stage managers that are of Irish nationality or resident in Ireland. The candidates intending to enrol for selection must meet the following essential requirements:

• Must be under the age of 35, by 31 December 2026
• Irish citizen or resident in Ireland
• A good knowledge of a foreign language French, German, or Italian
• Priority will be given to Irish singers, pianists, and stage managers. In the event that these positions cannot be filled by Irish nationals, Wexford Festival Opera will consider international candidates.

Please note: The Artistic Director may allow exceptions according to merit.

3. DURATION AND STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE

The dates for the 2026 Wexford Factory are from 10th – 27th September 2026 in the National Opera House, Wexford. Each participant will receive a scholarship of €1,500 plus travel and accommodation. The Wexford Factory is a bi-annual programme and will include masterclasses from belcanto to verismo singing style; art and technique of performance with some of the most illustrious singers, conductors, and vocal coaches of the opera world as well as exciting lectures and workshops, resulting in a platform for singers, pianists and stage managers to exercise their performance skills.

Following the conclusion of the Wexford Factory on 27 September, Wexford Festival Opera will present two opera projects during the 2026 Festival in the O’Reilly Theatre. The 2026 Festival runs from 15-31 October. Participants will also receive an additional compensation of €1,500. The final day of the contract is 31st
October 2026.

4. COURSE CONTENT

The course includes the following modules:

• Masterclasses
• Stage Craft
• Body Awareness
• Vocal Coaching
• Language Coaching
• 18th,19th, 20th & 21st Century Opera style and Technique

5. HEAD TUTOR

Ernesto Palacio, Head Tutor of Wexford Factory, Artistic Director and Head of the Young Artists Programme at the Rossini Opera Festival

6. MASTERCLASSES

The Factory will have daily sessions, which are designed to refine your artistry under the guidance of world-renowned professionals.

7. COACHING

• Pianist for preparation and study
• Vocal Coaching for language and style
• Stage Craft and coaching sessions with leading industry professionals.

8. COURSE LOCATION

All lessons and rehearsals will take place in the National Opera House, Wexford.

The work experience element of the course will take place during the 2026 Wexford Festival Opera and will consist of the opera project plus other artistic performances within the Festival.

9. APPLICATION AND DEADLINES

Applications must be marked 'Wexford Factory' and sent to Nora Cosgrave, Director of Artistic Administration, Wexford Festival Opera, High Street Wexford or by e-mail to the following address: wexfordfactory@wexfordopera.com. Deadline is 21st January 2026.

The following documentation must be included:

• completed application form, available for download here
• one close-up photograph, and one full-length photograph
• candidate’s CV
• copy of a valid identification document
• letters of reference (if available)

Applications must be sent by 21st January 2026 and will be deemed valid based on the date of the email submission or the postage stamp.

EVALUATION & AUDITION SELECTION

Selection for auditions is subject to the evaluation of the candidate’s CV. This evaluation will be made by the Wexford Factory’s artistic panel, and its judgement will be final. Candidates selected for audition will be notified by e-mail only.

Auditions will take place in RIAM, Dublin on the following dates:

• 1st and 2nd February for singers
• 3rd February for pianists

FOR SINGERS

Audition candidates must prepare three arias. The arias must be sung in the original language and key, including, when applicable, the recitativo and cabaletta. The panel has the right to choose whether to listen to the whole, or only part, of the programme. The Wexford Factory allows candidates to use their own pianist; we however will provide a pianist.

FOR PIANISTS

Audition candidates must prepare three pieces. The panel has the right to choose whether to listen to the whole or only part of the programme.

FOR STAGE MANAGERS

Stage Managers are required to complete the form and submit a CV. All applications will be reviewed by the Technical Director, and final decisions will be communicated later in the year.

Wexford Factory has been proudly sponsored by PwC and supported by Fundacion Arnhold de la Cámara since its inception. The Festival was delighted to also welcome The Community Foundation for Ireland as a supporter in 2023, with particular focus on the repetiteur and stage management programmes.