| By Dan Walsh at Wexford Opera Festival Thousands gathered on Wexford Quay in mild October weather for the official opening of the 74th Wexford Festival Opera and its traditional fireworks display tonight (Friday). Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi opened this year’s festival to mark her 30th anniversary with Wexford Festival Opera. Italian-born Rosetta, now an Irish citizen, expressed her gratitude for Wexford and its famous opera festival as she was delighted to launch the 2025 Wexford Festival Opera. She was given a huge cheer from the large attendance. There were also contributions on the main stage from Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Garry Laffan, and Paul Cleary, Chairman of Wexford Festival Trust. Maurice McCarthy acted as master of ceremonies. There was a full house at the opening main stage opera, Verdi’s Le trouvère, in the National Opera House. Earlier that evening the Community Opera, A Little Midsummer Night’s Dream, had its first of five sold-out performances. The much-loved Lunchtime Recitals are back for the 74th Wexford Festival Opera, taking place in the O’Reilly Theatre and the 18th century St Iberius Church, each venue offers its own special atmosphere. Over 13 recitals, and Festival artists will share a wide variety of music, from operatic arias and lieder to oratorio, concert works and popular song. |
Wexford Festival Opera runs for 16 days and ends on Saturday, November 1st.
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