Programme 2025

The first details of the 74th Wexford Festival Opera programme have been announced. The festival will run for 16 days, from 17th October - 1st November 2025 and explores the theme of Myths & Legends.

Speaking at the announcement of the programme, WFO Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi said: “Journey through the timeless and boundless realm of myth and legend, woven into the fabric of lyric opera. This art, grand and intimate all at once, draws its power from ancient stories, fables that have echoed through centuries. From the gods and goddesses of antiquity to the larger-than-life heroes and tragic figures, the world of opera has always been a canvas for the imagination.”

Main Stage Operas

WFO 2025 will feature 3 main stage operas, all Irish premieres:

LE TROUVÈRE (1857) by Giuseppe Verdi. Conducted by Marcus Bosch and directed by Ben Barnes. Le trouvère premiered at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels on January 12, 1857. This is a rare chance to hear Verdi's French version of Il trovatore, which includes the addition of ballet music of extraordinary quality as well as adjustments to the score. The opera's intricate plot revolves around the rivalry for the love of the young Leonora between the troubadour Manrique and the Comte de Lune.

The role of Leonore will be sung by Lydia Grindatto, a rising star American soprano, the role of Comte de Lune will be sung by Ludovico Filippo Ravizza, Azucena will be Kseniia Nikolaieva, Manrique will be performed by Arseny Yakovlev and the roles of Ines and Ruiz will be sung by former WFO Factory students Jade Phoenix and Conor Prendeville.

DEIDAMIA (1741) by George Frideric Handel. Conducted and directed by George Petru. An Opera Seria in three acts, Deidamia was composed in 1740 and premiered in 1741. Handel's last Italian opera before he turned to oratorio is an unjustly neglected tragi-comic masterpiece, and the title role in particular covers the entire expressive spectrum, from flirtatious love song to heartfelt lament. Deidamia will be a co-production with Göttingen International Handel Festival who will present the work in 2026.

The title role of Deidamia will be sung by Sophie Junker, the role of Achilles will be sung by Bruno de Sà, the role of Ulysses will be sung by Nicolò Balducci and the role of Nerea sung by Sarah Gilford.

THE MAGIC FOUNTAIN (1895) by Frederick Delius. Conducted by Francesco Cilluffo and directed by Christopher Luscombe. A lyric drama in three acts, with a libretto by the composer, The Magic Fountain was unperformed during Delius's lifetime, receiving its concert premiere in 1977 and stage premiere in 1997. Set in a mythical, exotic location, it centres around the legend of a magical fountain that grants eternal youth.

The role of Solano will be sung by Samuel Sakker, the role of Watawa by Axelle Saint Cirel and the role of Wapanacki sung by Jonathan Lemalu.

Wexford Factory

The Wexford Factory (WFO’s professional development academy) returns with the artists from 2024 for their second year. As part of WFO 2025 the factory artists will perform Il Viaggio a Reims by Gioachino Rossini (1825). This will mark the 200th anniversary of the opera. Conducted by Manuel Hartinger and directed by Rosetta Cucchi.

Community Opera

The Community Opera has become a hugely popular part of Wexford Festival Opera, where members of the local community perform alongside a professional cast in the Grain Store at Stonebridge. Workshops take place throughout the year for the local community members to prepare for this. As part of WFO 2025, the Community Opera will be The Little Midsummer Night’s Dream, a re-adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Benjamin Britten. Conducted by Luca Capoferri and directed by Heather Hadrill with the collaboration of Elizabeth Drwal.

Pocket Opera / Opera Beag

WFO will include two Pocket Opera / Opera Beag. For the third time Wexford plans to hold a competition for young directors in Ireland to direct these. The operas are as follows:

LA TRAGÉDIE DE CARMEN by George Bizet. Eminent director Peter Brook devised this version of Carmen in 1981. It strips the opera to its core essentials whilst focusing on themes of obsession and jealousy.

DER ZWERG (The Dwarf) by Alexander Zemlinsky. Libretto by Georg C. Klaren, adapted from Oscar Wilde.

New Commission

Late night event Urban Legends, new WFO commission by Colm Tóibín and Andrew Synnott composer.

Artist-in-Residence

The Artist-in-Residence for 2025 and 2026 will be composer and writer Ailís Ní Ríain www.ailis.info/about

More details of the programme will be announced in the coming months.