Programme - Wexford Festival Opera 2020

Programme

FESTIVAL EVENT CALENDAR →

Dr Tom Walsh Lecture — This year there will be two Dr Tom Walsh Lectures. The first one will be a conversation around the close relationship between Shakespeare, Verdi and Boito: Verdi+Boito=Shakespeare!

Dr Tom Walsh Lecture

13 & 15 October 15:00 GMT+1

WHAT HAPPENED TO LUCRECE — A new opera commission by Wexford Festival Opera, composed by Andrew Synnott, based on The Rape of Lucrece by William Shakespeare. Libretto by Alessandra Binucci and Rosetta Cucchi. Sung in English.

WHAT HAPPENED TO LUCRECE

13–15 October 20:00 GMT+1

WFO 2.0 – POP-UP EVENTS — For those feeling (National Opera) House-bound, a series of pop-up events comprising multidisciplinary performances featuring music, drama, singing and dance, will be performed in non-traditional settings around Wexford town.

WFO 2.0 – POP-UP EVENTS

Daily 11-18 October 12:00 GMT+1

Petite messe solennelle — Rossini’s final composition before his death, and one of the finest examples of a solemn mass, Petite messe solennelle is considered one of the most remarkable compositions of his entire career, demonstrated by his use of beautiful, memorable melodies and rhythmic vitality. This performance is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Petite messe solennelle

Sunday, 11 October 20:00 GMT+1

IMPOSSIBLE INTERVIEWS — Music critic and Irish Times contributor, Michael Dervan, meets up with three ground-breaking international artists to discuss the past, present and future of opera.

IMPOSSIBLE INTERVIEWS

12, 14 & 16 October 15:00 GMT+1

Falstaff Chronicles — The plays of William Shakespeare were the 17th century equivalent to the modern-day soap-operas, which are watched daily to hear tell of the latest scandal. Six episodes from Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi (1831–1901)

Falstaff Chronicles

Daily 12–17 October 18:00 GMT +1

Dinner Time Recital – Celine Byrne — Irish soprano Celine Byrne will perform in a very special dinner time recital from the stage of the National Opera House.

Dinner Time Recital – Celine Byrne

Monday, 12 October 20:00 GMT+1

GALA CONCERT – Remote Voices — This year’s Gala Concert, hosted by Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi, will feature performances from some of the most famous and outstanding stars from the opera world, all of whom have appeared in Wexford in the past.

GALA CONCERT – Remote Voices

Friday, 16 October 20:00 GMT+1

LISETTE OROPESA with Orchestra — A special concert live from the stage of the National Opera House with the internationally-renowned American lyric coloratura soprano Lisette Oropesa, accompanied by the Wexford Festival Orchestra, conducted by Francesco Cilluffo.

LISETTE OROPESA with Orchestra

Sunday, 18 October 20:00 GMT+1