Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D. Opens the 60th Wexford Festival Opera

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, T.D. formally opened the 60th Wexford Festival Opera in front of an estimated crowd of 20,000 in a ceremony on Wexford's glorious quay front, following which a fanfare from the brass section of the Wexford Festival Orchestra triggered a spectacular fireworks display heralded the official start of the 16 day event. The 60th Anniversary Wexford Festival Opera runs until Saturday, November 5th.

The first Festival of opera took place in Wexford in October 1951, and opened with a production of The Rose of Castile by one-time Wexford resident, Michael William Balfe. From that humble beginning Wexford Festival Opera has grown to be one of the premier and longest established cultural events in Ireland, and one of the very few with an internationally recognised and respected brand, being a firm fixture on the intercontinental Opera calendar, with the Festival performances now broadcast globally. The 60th Wexford Festival Opera, which features artists from 14 different countries performing in 52 separate performances and events, spanning 16 days, to an expected audience in excess of 20,000 ticketholders.

Opening the Festival, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said, "Wexford Festival Opera has gone from strength to strength and adds immensely to Ireland's reputation for culture and creativity. Our reputation as an island of artists and entrepreneurs is a source of goodwill and investment across the globe. There are so many good things that the arts deliver as well as being an important local employer.
Over the next 16 days, Wexford town will come to life with lunchtime recitals, evening cabarets, choral and orchestral concerts and performances of rare operas. I want to pay tribute to all those involved in bringing this magnificent festival to a wide audience, and to the many volunteers who give so much to make this festival so special."

David McLoughlin, Chief Executive of Wexford Festival Trust added, "Wexford Festival Opera could not have received a more significant national endorsement on its 60th opening night than to have the special anniversary festival officially opened by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny. His presence as guest of honour underlines the Festival's significant and enduring contribution to the cultural, economic and community life of the Nation generally, and Wexford in particular, with the Festival exemplifying the respect and recognition a community founded cultural event can garner globally."

In true Wexford tradition, this year's 3 mainstage productions are rarely-produced operas, although 2 of the 3 composers are well-known within the opera world and to Wexford's loyal audiences. The first of the 3 operas is La Cour de Célimène an opéra comique, by the composer of Mignon and Hamlet, Ambroise Thomas; a work, immensely successful in its day, now fallen by the wayside. Wexford's production will be the first since 1855. Also on the bill is Maria, by the Polish composer Roman Statkowski, written in 1903. This magnificent composition is strangely ignored even in its native Poland and the announcement of the forthcoming Wexford production of Maria has generated great excitement in the world of opera. Thirdly, and in honour of the 60th season, the Festival will produce its fifteenth opera by Gaetano Donizetti, his 1839 melodrama, Gianni di Parigi.

Also for the first time, audiences can enjoy a special daytime package. Arrive in Wexford in the late morning, enjoy a lunchtime recital in St. Iberius Church, lunch in Whites of Wexford Hotel and a ShortWork opera, all for a fully inclusive price of just €55. Day-trippers to Wexford can avail of public transport and be back on the road by 5pm if desired.

The 3 mainstage operas will run in 4 cycles of 12 evening performances in total, with the ever-popular Gala Concert, which will this year celebrate the six decades of performances in Wexford, featuring as a stand-alone event on Wednesday, October 26. For the full schedule, programme details or to purchase tickets, visit www.wexfordopera.com Tickets can be purchased by phone +353 (0)53 912 2144 or Lo-Call 1850 4OPERA, in person from Wexford Opera House box-office or online at www.wexfordopera.com. A new booking and programme innovation for this year is the Wexford Festival Opera i-Phone app, which is also now available to download free from i-Tunes.

Wexford town also hosts a vibrant fringe festival coinciding with the Opera Festival that includes art exhibitions, drama, music, historical tours and of course the famous singing and swinging pubs competition. Details can be obtained on www.wexfordfringe.ie

The 60th Wexford Festival Opera is grant aided by the Arts Council, Fáilte Ireland, and Wexford County and Borough Councils.

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