World-Renowned Opera Superstars Return for 75th Anniversary Season
We are delighted to announce that one of the world's most acclaimed operatic tenors, Joseph Calleja, will return to Wexford Festival Opera.
The Maltese tenor first graced the Wexford stage in 1998 at the age of 20, at the start of his illustrious career. He now returns to perform the role of Osaka in Mascagni’s Iris. Calleja is slated to sing the role in performances only on 15, 23, 28 and 31 October.
A reminder that priority booking opens for Friends of the Festival on 22 April with general booking opening 6 May. We’re expecting high demand for tickets during this landmark year and becoming a Friend is the best way to experience the Festival. Guarantee your seats now: Don't miss out and join or renew your Friends membership today.
Croí na Féile (Heart of the Festival)
75th Fundraising Gala | Sat 17 October
Joseph Calleja will also feature in the Festival’s 75th Fundraising Gala, Croí na Féile, alongside fellow opera superstars Ermonela Jaho, Daniela Barcellona, and Giorgi Manoshvili. Featuring the Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra, conducted by Daniele Callegari, they will perform glorious music by Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi and more. These incredible artists have all performed at the Festival over the years and we are honoured to welcome their return, not only as world-class performers, but also as Ambassadors for our 75th anniversary season.
In Irish, Croí na Féile translates to The Heart of the Festival (or The Heart of Generosity). It is a phrase used to describe a place, or a person, with a generous heart. To us, it represents the warm and welcoming spirit of Wexford that has always been central to our identity.
It is in this spirit that we invite you to join us at this glittering gala on the opening weekend of the Festival on Saturday 17 October. Expected to be a highlight of the 75th season, this international constellation of stars will perform music by Puccini, Verdi and more.
We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.
In this second video we hear from Joseph Calleja about his Wexford story ahead of his return to the Festival.
My Wexford story started in 1998 when I was 20 years old and just one year into my professional career. The impact of Wexford Festival Opera on my career has been massive. It is an incredible platform and has been the launchpad for so many great careers. I'm so looking forward to returning this year for the concert, and also to perform on the main stage in Mascagni's Iris. Come and watch the stars of the next 10, 20, 30 years. See you there.