Estimated 1million Listeners Tune-in for Opening of the 59th Wexford Festival Opera

Wexford Opera House may only hold 771 seats, but Saturday night's opening performance of the 59th Wexford Festival Opera, the tragic lyric opera, 'Virginia' by Saverio Mercadante was broadcast live by RTÉ Lyric FM to 22 countries around the World via the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) - reaching an estimated 1 million listeners according to Head of Music and Euroradio at the EBU, Pierre-Yves Tribolet.

Mr. Tribolet, who attended Wexford's opening night confirmed that 22 national broadcasters signed up to air Virginia live, including Denmark, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Germany (Frankfurt), Croatia, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, the United States, the Czech Republic, Germany (Munich), Switzerland (Zurich - German), Romania, Sweden, Austria, Estonia, Germany (Berlin) and Italy.

The epic tale of love, obsession and honour is set in ancient Rome and reflects the political scene in 19th century Naples. Controversial for its time, the opera was banned in 1850 for its portrayal of absolute power and corruption. Conductor Carlos Izcaray will be leading the Wexford Festival Opera Chorus and Orchestra while Kevin Newbury is directing an international cast including Hugh Russell, Ivan Magri, Bruno Ribeiro, Gianluca Buratto and world-renowned soprano Angela Meade, who has been described in The New Yorker as 'dynamic'.

Virginia will have a further four performances on October 19, 22, 25 and 28th at 8pm, in repertory with ,The Golden Ticket, by Peter Ash and Hubi?ka (The Kiss) by Bed?ich Smetana. Tickets can be purchased online at www.wexfordopera.com or from Wexford Festival Opera box-office, telephone: Lo-call 1850-4-OPERA or (053) 912 2144. Daytime events from €15. Evening Operas from €25. No booking fee applies.

The 59th Wexford Festival Opera runs until Saturday, October 30.

Wexford Festival Opera - Your Destination!

The 59th Wexford Festival Opera is grant aided by the Arts Council, Failte Ireland, and Wexford County & Borough Councils. This year's production sponsors are INM plc, Zurich and the EPA.

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