PwC supports rising opera stars at the 75th Wexford Festival Opera
Wexford Factory participating artists with (centre l-r) Danielle Cunniffe, Partner at PwC, Rosetta Cucchi, Artistic Director of Wexford Festival Opera and Suzanne Nance, Executive Director of Wexford Festival Opera. PHOTO: Mark Stedman
Rising stars of opera arrive in Wexford for the 2026 Wexford Factory, supported by PwC and their commitment to this exciting artist development programme
Wexford Festival Opera welcomes the artists selected to be part of the acclaimed Wexford Factory programme 2026/2027 to the National Opera House in Wexford. Supported by PwC, the programme is designed to nurture emerging young talent - opera singers, répétiteurs, and stage managers - as they take their first steps into the industry.
PwC has been staunch sponsors of the Wexford Factory since it began in 2020 and Wexford Festival Opera is delighted that the firm is helping the Festival play a vital role in shaping the future of opera in Ireland. Since the programme launched in 2020 the Wexford Factory programme has supported 46 singers, six pianists and two stage managers.
This year those rising stars taking part are:
SINGERS: Seán Tester, Eva Maria Kavanagh, Éadaoin Hassett, Sophie Whelan, Eiméar Harper, Catherine Hooper, Deirdre Higgins, Eilís Dexter, Rachael Conaghan, Olha Palazhchenko, Yasmin O'Reilly, Timothy Mays, Matthew Mannion, Fraser Robinson, Cuan Durkin and Yuchen Pan.
PIANISTS: Ellen Jansson, Ella Nagy and Orlaith Sharkey.
STAGE MANAGERS: Aimee Cullen and Aimee Hartigan.
PwC has supported the Wexford Festival Opera for over 6 years.
This renowned artist development programme will see rising stars – sixteen opera singers, three pianists and two stage managers - this month take part in an intensive 2026/27 programme of coaching, mentorship, and masterclasses led by international industry professionals such as renowned soprano Lisette Oropesa. Alongside their training, participants will gain invaluable performance experience throughout the 75th Wexford Festival Opera.
Left to right, Danielle Cunniffe, Partner at PwC, Rosetta Cucchi, Artistic Director, Wexford Festival Opera, and Suzanne Nance, Executive Director of Wexford Festival Opera with Wexford Factory artists, Timothy Mays and Eva Maria Kavanagh. PHOTO: Mark Stedman
Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi said: "Wexford has long been a place where exceptional new talent is discovered, with many artists starting their career here and going on to grace the world’s greatest stages. Through the Wexford Factory, we nurture emerging singers, repetiteurs, and stage managers, as they take their first steps into the industry. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to make this dream a reality, and we are deeply grateful to PwC for renewing their partnership for another two years as we prepare for our milestone 75th Anniversary Festival in October."
Danielle Cunniffe, Partner, PwC, said: “Supporting this important professional development academy at Wexford Festival Opera is a perfect fit for PwC's brand. Like the Wexford Festival Opera, enabling diverse young talent to reach their potential is a priority at PwC. We are also conscious of supporting the Arts and Culture sector and their valuable impact on society and in our communities. We wish all the Wexford Factory artists great success for the 2026 programme and in their future careers.”
A highlight of this year's Factory Artist programme will be participation in The First Festival, a world premiere written by Colm Tóibín, and composer Alberto Caruso. The First Festival tells the story of the excitement that erupted in Wexford as news spread that an opera festival was being established in the town. Against a backdrop of anticipation and celebration, romance ensues. Written specifically for the young voices of the Wexford Factory, the work is designed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Festival and showcase the next generation of opera talent.
The programme culminates in the annual Wexford Factory Concert at the National Opera House on 27 September 2026. The concert offers audiences a showcase of the artistry, ambition and potential of the programme's newest participants.
The programme also has strong international connections, collaborating with partner organisations such as the Rossini Opera Festival's Alberto Zedda Academy in Pesaro, TU Dublin, the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) and Opera for Peace.
Additional support is provided by Fundación Arnhold de la Cámara. The répétiteur and stage management strands are supported by Community Foundation Ireland.