Leading Irish and International Opera Stars Named as Ambassadors for the 75th Wexford Festival Opera
To mark the 75th Anniversary of Wexford Festival Opera, we are delighted to announce 14 distinguished Ambassadors who will champion this landmark year.
From legendary singers to visionary directors, these 14 artists represent a ‘who’s who’ of the global opera world, all of whom share a connection to the Festival and are united by their passion for Wexford’s mission to present forgotten or rarely performed works.
Some Ambassadors credit the Festival as being the springboard for their global careers, having first graced our stages before going on to conquer the world’s greatest opera houses. We are honoured to have the support of these incredible artists as they share why this milestone year is simply unmissable – and why supporting the Festival is more important than ever in our 75th year.
Our 75th Season Ambassadors are:
- Juan Diego Florez – tenor (WFO 1996)
- Joseph Calleja - tenor (WFO 1998 / 1999)
- Ermonela Jaho – soprano (WFO 2000 / 2001 / 2002)
- Sinead Campbell Wallace – soprano (WFO 2003/ 2005 / 2006)
- Claudia Boyle - soprano (WFO 2011 / 2013 / 2020 / 2023 / 2025)
- Mariangela Sicilia - soprano (WFO 2012 / 2015)
- Celine Byrne - soprano (WFO 2020 / 2022 / 2023 / 2024)
- Daniela Barcellona - mezzo (WFO 1996 / 1997 / 2023)
- Aigul Akhmetshina- mezzo (WFO 2019)
- Paula Murrihy - mezzo (WFO 2006 / 2009)
- Giorgi Manoshvili - bass (WFO 2022 / 2023)
- Michele Mariotti–conductor (WFO 2006)
- David Pountney - stage director (WFO 1972)
- Damiano Michieletto – stage director (WFO 2003)
Four of our Ambassadors will also take to the stage for a glittering 75th Anniversary Fundraising Gala on Saturday, 17 October, at the National Opera House. In what is expected to be a highlight of the 75th season, Ermonela Jaho, Daniela Barcellona, Joseph Calleja, and Giorgi Manoshvili will join forces with the National Symphony Orchestra to perform a programme featuring glorious music by Puccini, Verdi and more. Tickets go on sale to Friends of the Festival from 22 April with general booking opening on 6 May.
First we hear from soprano Ermonela Jaho:
Wexford has been an incredibly important school for me, as it has been for so many artists who took their first steps on this stage. Becoming part of that artistic family was very meaningful to me. I encourage you to come to the Festival this year and bring your friends to share in its unique magic. I can’t wait to sing for you in October together with my wonderful colleagues.
We look forward to sharing more from our Ambassadors throughout the year as we approach the 75th Festival, running from 15-31 October. Here’s a flavour of what’s to come.
Wexford gave me confidence, experience, and the feeling that I was truly entering the international operatic world. To see how the Festival has grown, evolved, and remained faithful to its artistic vision over 75 years is truly admirable, and I am honoured to be part of that history.
Opera is a huge undertaking and the fact that Wexford has been doing it for 75 years is an unbelievable achievement. Wexford welcomes world-famous directors and conductors and to be able to be around them at such a young age was for me such a great experience.