Seán Tester and Frasier Hickland announced as 2025 Danone Young Outstanding Artists

Seán Tester and Frasier Hickland have been awarded the 2025 Danone Young Outstanding Artists at Wexford Festival Opera.The award, now in its fifth year, has now evolved to celebrate two recipients and is part of the company’s long-term partnership with Wexford Festival Opera.

The award includes a bursary for the chosen individuals and is given to two young artists performing at Wexford Festival Opera to support their career aspirations. Both artists are currently participating in the Wexford Factory programme, the WFO professional development academy which includes a series of masterclasses and workshops ahead of the artists participating in WFO 2025.

Danone’s partnership also includes the support of a main stage production each year. This year’s production, The Magic Fountain by Frederick Delius, is directed by Christopher Luscombe. Sung in English, The Magic Fountain explores obsession, desire and confrontation with nature, Delius’s music and text paints evocative sounds and immersive soundscapes.

Interim Executive Director of Wexford Festival Opera, Loughlin Deegan, said: ‘Supporting young music artists is fundamental to the work of Wexford Festival Opera, and the Wexford Factory is central to our Artistic Director, Rosetta Cucchi's vision for how the festival can provide a vital platform for emerging artists to advance their talent and their careers. This partnership with Danone also provides vital financial support to young singers and musicians as they embark on what can often be a challenging career. Tenor Seán Tester and pianist Frasier Hickland are worthy recipients of this year's award, and we look forward to seeing how this generous support will benefit their developing careers for many years to come.’

Danone employs over 350 people at its factory just outside Wexford Town, many of whom actively support and volunteer with the Festival each year. Speaking about the partnership Plant Manager at Danone Wexford, Deirdre Hannon said: 'We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Wexford Festival Opera, which reflects both our deep roots in the local community and our commitment to supporting emerging talent. The Danone Young Outstanding Artist Award is a way for us to invest in the next generation of performers, helping them to pursue their careers with confidence. This year we are especially pleased to recognise not just one, but two outstanding young artists in Seán Tester and Frasier Hickland, whose passion and talent are inspiring. With so many of our Danone colleagues living in Wexford, we take great pride in seeing the Festival thrive and are so proud to provide a platform for young artists to shine on an international stage.'

Speaking of the award, Seán Tester said: ‘I’m so honoured to receive the Danone Young Outstanding Artist Award. It means a lot to know that this support is there for emerging singers like me as we take our next steps into the professional world. This bursary will make a real difference as I begin to build my career, and I’m so grateful for the encouragement and support of the Festival at this crucial juncture between completing my studies and professional life as an operatic tenor.‘

Frasier Hickland said: ‘I am very grateful to be the recipient of the Danone Young Outstanding Artist Award from Wexford Festival Opera. It is an honour to be the first pianist to be given this award, and it acknowledges the work that répétiteurs do behind-the-scenes of an opera to ensure a good performance when the orchestra arrives. This award will give me further opportunities to advance my career and development, in addition to being a proud ambassador for the Festival.’