The programme for the Wexford Festival Opera 2024 has been a noucned before the close of the 2023 festival, featuring 80 events spread across 16 days.
In contrast to the sombre “Women and War” theme of 2023, next year’s festival will have a lighter side. The three mainstage operas include “Le Maschere” by Pietro Mascagni (1901), “The Critic” by Charles Villiers Stanford (1916), and “Le convenienze e inconvenienze teatrali” by Gaetano Donizetti (1827).
The festival will include new commissions, such as “Lady Gregory in America” by Colm Tóibín and Alberto Caruso and “Puccini: Man of the Theatre” by Niall William Morris, a production of “The Elixir of Love” by Gaetano Donizetti for the community opera, a work previously performed by WFO in 1952, the Wexford Factory featuring a new group of artists performing I Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo (1892), a Gala concert by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, late-night performances, and The Dr Tom Walsh Lecture and Impossible Interview.
Following the success of this year’s Community Opera, the 2024 program will include a new Community Opera, with members of the community performing alongside professionals. There will also be engagement projects for primary and secondary school students to explore opera and stage performance.
Fáilte Ireland supports the Wexford Festival Opera as it showcases Irish arts, heritage, and culture to domestic and international visitors. Festivals like this play a vital role in the recovery of the tourism sector, driving footfall for local businesses and generating revenue and jobs.
Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi said: “After the deep emotion of the 2023 season, I wanted to give the public a peak behind the curtain where anything can happen and everything is possible… with a touch of lightness.”
