23 October – 3 November 2013
This is Wexford A charming historic town on the south-east coast of Ireland where something magical happens every October. People who appreciate the very best in opera come from around the world to our small town to savour the rare musical delights of Wexford Festival Opera. You’ll be treated to outstanding opera performances in the most luxurious of venues, our new 750-seat, acoustically excellent Wexford Opera House, and in other performance venues in the town. Come to Wexford Festival Opera and experience our enchanting Festival.
Cover Photo: L’Arlesiana (Wexford Festival Opera 2012) by Francesco Cilèa. © Clive Barda/ArenaPAL
FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Welcome to Wexford and to the 62nd Wexford Festival Opera. Come for a morning or afternoon or evening and be enchanted by glorious music and wonderful theatre. The programming of our concerts and operas and the flexibility of our events’ packages means that you can spend a truly memorable few hours – or few days – at the internationally-acclaimed Wexford Festival Opera. On page 12 you will find details of our attractive Daytime Events Packages, which have been carefully put together so you can enjoy a Lunchtime Recital followed by lunch and, in the afternoon, a ShortWork opera. The Festival Calendar is on pages 20 and 21 and there is also a handy guide on page 2 of all the Festival events taking place in the mornings, afternoons and evenings. Our three main opera productions are very special discoveries. Rota’s The Florentine Straw Hat, with its absurd difficulties caused by the consumption of a lady’s hat, promises a feast of good humour. Massenet’s operas Thérèse and La Navarraise are full of drama and passion, portrayed through soul-stirring music. Foroni’s death from cholera cut short the early promise of this talented
composer. His opera Cristina, regina di Svezia, is about the young queen of Sweden and her difficulties in finding a balance between her heart and her duty. There is magic in the air in Wexford during the Opera Festival, created by the music we take such pride in performing, and in the whole-hearted involvement of hundreds of people from the town. Visitors to Wexford Festival Opera come out of curiosity to hear a promising young singer, or to see an opera that hasn’t been performed for a hundred years – and before they know it they’ve been coming to every Festival for forty years or so! If you think I’m exaggerating, come along to the Dr Tom Walsh Lecture on 26 October and hear three eminent musicians talk about doing just that. If this is the first time you’ve thought about coming to see what Wexford Festival Opera is all about, you’re very welcome. We hope that once you’ve dipped a toe in the Festival waters this year you will want to come back for more next year. If you have been before, welcome back. David Agler, Artistic Director Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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FESTIVAL PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE MORNINGS Irish Heritage at Wexford CONCERTS Irish Connections {25} October – 11:00 Back to Titanic {30} October, {2} November – 11:00
ShortWorks L’Elisir d’amore {26} October, {1} November – 11:00 Losers {27} October – 11:00 The Sleeping Queen {28} October – 11:00 La Traviata {31} October, {3} November – 11:00
AFTERNOONS Irish Heritage at Wexford CONCERTS Back to Titanic {24} October – 13:05 Lunchtime Recitals {25} {26} {28} {29} {30} {31} October {1} {2} November – 13:05
dr tom walsh lecture {26} October – 15:00
ShortWorks La Traviata {24} {26} {28} October {1} November – 15:30 The Sleeping Queen {25} {31} October – 15:30 L’Elisir d’amore {29} October – 15:30 Losers {30} October, {2} November – 15:30
EVENINGS Il Cappello di paglia di Firenze
Cristina, regina di Svezia
{23} {26} {29} October {1} November – 20.00
{25} {28} {31} October – 20:00 {3} November – 17:00
Thérèse / La Navarraise
Gala Concert
{24} {30} Oct, {2} Nov – 20:00 {27} October – 17:00
{27} October – 21:00
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
Schedule correct at the time of going to print, but may be subject to subsequent change.
our sponsors and supporters
Grant-aided by the Arts Council
Festival supported by Fáilte Ireland
Lead Production Sponsor of Il Cappello di paglia di Firenze
Proudly Supporting Thérèse / La Navarraise
Community Partner
Official IT & Communications Partner
Sponsors of The Volunteer Award
Preferred Hotel Partner
Sponsors of the Festival Dress Rehearsals
Proudly Supporting Thérèse / La Navarraise
Education Partner
Italian Institute of Culture – Dublin Proudly Supporting Il Cappello di paglia di Firenze & Cristina, regina di Svezia
Broadcast Media Partner
Official Festival Partner
Exclusive Champagne Provider
ME DIA
Restaurant Partner
Restaurant Partner
Media Partner
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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about wexford festival opera
photo: clive barda/arenapal
Wexford Festival Opera is held every October in the county town of Wexford in south-east Ireland and 2013 is the Festival’s 62nd season. The Festival has gained an enviable international reputation for the quality of its performances and for the unique atmosphere that this quintessentially community Festival generates in the town. Wexford’s raison d’être is to perform operas that either never made it into the popular repertoire or were performed and then fell out of favour – operatic rarities which, following their revival at Wexford, frequently enter the operatic mainstream.
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
Another reason for Wexford Festival Opera’s high status and the excitement generated amongst its supporters is that many outstanding young singers perform at Wexford and soon establish top-flight international careers. The first operatic festival in Wexford was held in 1951 at the suggestion of Sir Compton Mackenzie and was organised by a local doctor, Tom Walsh, and his friends in the 1832 Theatre Royal. Nowadays Wexford boasts a beautiful state-of-the-art opera house (opened in 2008) that combines comfort for performers, staff and audience with superb acoustics and a respect for the traditional style of the old house.
ProgramMEs & Events
2012 production of A Village Romeo and Juliet by Frederick Delius, winner of the Irish Times Theatre Award for Best Set Design. Photo Š Clive Barda/ArenaPAL
concerts & recitals
una hunt
Morning Concerts: Irish Heritage at Wexford Back to Titanic Irish Connections
Jerome Hynes Theatre back to titanic {24} October* – 13:05 {30} October*, {2} November – 11:00 irish connections {25} October – 11:00 Tickets ¤15 Irish Heritage at Wexford is a new venture designed to highlight and showcase the music of Ireland. The concerts are curated by Una Hunt who in 2012 presented and performed the acclaimed William V. Wallace Recitals. *Please note that the concerts on 24 and 30 October take place in St Iberius Church.
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
Back to Titanic features songs and music from the playlist of the White Star Line and other popular music from 1912, performed by singers of the Festival. Our knowledge of what was to happen on Titanic’s voyage and that the First World War would start in 1914, adds to the nostalgic charm of this music from the high Edwardian era. Irish Connections is a programme of music for violin, cello and piano by composers from nineteenth and twentieth century Ireland, including Osborne, Joan Trimble and Balfe.
photo: paula malone carty
photo: DEREK SPEIRS
Lunchtime Recitals
Gala Concert
St Iberius Church
Wexford Opera House
{25} {26} {28} {29} {30} {31} October {1} {2} November – 13:05
{27} October – 21:00
Tickets ¤15 Continuing a long-established Wexford tradition, the popular lunchtime recitals (approximately fifty minutes) will be given in St Iberius Church in the centre of Wexford. These recitals afford a unique opportunity to hear the Festival’s opera stars display their vocal talents in other types of repertoire on an intimate concert platform.
Tickets from ¤50 The Gala Concert is one of the highlights of Wexford Festival Opera and features a collection of favourite party pieces from members of the Festival company. All proceeds go toward supporting the programmes of Wexford Festival Opera. Early booking is advised.
The artists and their performance dates will be announced at the beginning of the Festival.
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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DR TOM WALSH LECTURE Dr Tom Walsh Lecture Why do we keep coming back to Wexford?
whites hotel {26} October – 15:00* Tickets ¤10 Rodney Milnes and Geoffrey Wheatcroft in conversation with Elaine Padmore This year’s Dr Tom Walsh Lecture is a remarkable and unique event in recent Wexford Festival history. It will be given by two influential and distinguished international opera critics, Rodney Milnes and Geoffrey Wheatcroft, who have an impressive record of attendances at Wexford, totalling nearly ninety years. Their recollections will be encouraged by a former Artistic Director, Elaine Padmore, who, like them, knew Dr Tom. Restoring an old Wexford practice, we invite you to join us after the lecture for afternoon tea and the opportunity to meet the speakers.
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
photo: WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA ARCHIVES
Dr Tom Walsh (1911–1988) was one of the founders of the Wexford Festival of Music and the Arts (as the Festival was then called) and its first Artistic Director, from 1951 to 1966. His skills as an impresario were developed during the late 1930s when he reformed the Wexford Operatic Society as the Wexford Musical Society, and then formed the Wexford Theatre Guild during the war years. In 1950 he set up the Wexford Opera Study Circle and invited Sir Compton Mackenzie to give the inaugural address. Mackenzie suggested that they put on an opera themselves, and so an operatic legend was born. Kindly supported by Victoria Walsh-Hamer
photo: rob moore
Rodney Milnes is a musicologist and music critic with a particular interest in opera. Over the years he has been opera critic for Harpers & Queen, The Spectator, Evening Standard and The Times, and he was editor of Opera from 1986 to 1999. He has translated several operas and has broadcast and published widely on opera. In 2002 he was awarded an OBE for services to journalism and music.
Geoffrey Wheatcroft is a journalist, author and historian, a former literary editor of The Spectator, former ‘Londoner’s Diary’ editor of the Evening Standard, and a columnist and features writer for many British and American newspapers and periodicals. His books include The Controversy of Zion (which won an American National Jewish Book Award), Yo, Blair! and The Strange Death of Tory England.
Elaine Padmore was Artistic Director of Wexford Festival from 1982 to 1994, after which she ran the Royal Danish Opera in Copenhagen. From 2000 to 2012 she was Director of Opera at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. She received the OBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Honours and is now a freelance opera consultant. She has scarcely missed an annual visit to the Wexford Festival since 1976.
*Please note that the scheduling of the Dr Tom Walsh Lecture means it is not possible to also attend the performance of La Traviata on 26 October.
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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SHORTWORKS
La Traviata
The Sleeping Queen
Giuseppe verdi (1813–1901)
michael william balfe (1808–1870)
jerome hynes theatre
The Auditorium, Presentation Secondary School, SCHOOL STREET
{24} {26} {28} Oct, {1} Nov – 15:30 {31} October, {3} November – 11:00 Tickets ¤25 – Allocated seating Sung in Italian In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest opera composers of all, this year’s daytime production of a classic opera from the standard repertoire is Verdi’s La Traviata. Based on La dame aux camélias by Alexandre Dumas fils, the tragedy of Violetta and Alfredo’s love story is told through some of Verdi’s most heart-breaking and beautiful music. Because of the capacity of the Jerome Hynes Theatre early booking is strongly recommended.
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
{25} {31} October – 15:30 {28} October – 11:00 Tickets ¤25 – Allocated seating Sung in English Dublin-born Balfe, who is best known for The Bohemian Girl, was the most successful composer of English operas in the nineteenth century. His one-act operetta The Sleeping Queen, in which a young queen finds that her unmarried state can be used to powerful advantage, is set in Spain in c.1620. The style of plot foreshadows W. S. Gilbert and involves royal power, love, war, misunderstandings, a memorable dream and a happy ending. This will be the first staged production in Ireland in very many years.
L’Elisir d’amore
Losers
Gaetano Donizetti (1797–1848)
Richard wargo (b. 1957)
The Auditorium, Presentation Secondary School, SCHOOL STREET
The Auditorium, Presentation Secondary School, SCHOOL STREET
{26} October, {1} November – 11:00 {29} October – 15:30
{27} October – 11:00 {30} October, {2} November – 15:30
Tickets ¤25 – Allocated seating
Tickets ¤25 – Allocated seating
Sung in Italian
Sung in English
L’Elisir d’amore (‘The Elixir of Love’) is one of Donizetti’s most frequentlyperformed operas. It was the first Donizetti opera to be performed at Wexford, and that 1952 production has been followed by performances of a further fifteen of his operas. The story concerns Nemorino’s wooing of Adina, and his faith in a ‘magic’ love potion he buys from a quack doctor. Nemorino’s constancy is contrasted with Adina’s fickleness, but eventually he wins his lady – and boosts the reputation of the elixir-maker.
In 2010 Winners, the first opera in Richard Wargo’s two-opera work Ballymore, was performed to great acclaim as a ShortWork at Wexford. This year it is the turn of the second work, Losers, to receive its Irish premiere at Wexford. Ballymore was inspired by Brian Friel’s pair of oneact plays, Winners and Losers. Wargo describes Losers as ‘a working-class farce whose plot turns on the Vatican decree expelling St Philomena from its Canon of Saints, and the comic havoc that ensues.’
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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DAYTIME EVENTS PACKAGE
{24} {25} {26} {31} October {1} {2} November Tickets ¤55 Discover the world of opera with our Daytime Events Package, which gives a true flavour of opera and is the perfect introduction to Wexford Festival Opera. It includes two Festival favourites: a lunchtime recital and a ShortWork opera, as well as lunch in Wexford Opera House. Come and find out more about an art form that has captivated Wexford’s locals and visitors for over sixty years. For groups of fifteen or more the group organiser receives a complimentary ¤55 Daytime Events Package ticket. Individual bookings may be made online or through the Box Office. Group bookings must be made through the Box Office: +353 53 912 2144. 12
Wexford Festival Opera 2013
Enjoy a day trip to Wexford and be part of the world-famous Wexford Festival Opera! DAYTIME EVENTS PACKAGE: • 13:05 – Revel in fifty minutes of musical bliss at a Lunchtime Recital with one of the stars of the 2013 Festival • 14:00 – Enjoy a delicious three course lunch and the best views in Wexford at the Sky View Café in Wexford Opera House • 15:30 – Experience an afternoon ShortWork opera, a one-hour smallstage operatic production. Please ensure that you check the ShortWorks performance schedule before booking. Individual Lunchtime Recital performers will be announced at the beginning of the Festival.
EVENING OPERAS
2013 Programmes/Events Cover Page?
2012 production of Le Roi malgree lui by Emmanuel Chabrier. Photo Š Clive Barda/ArenaPAL
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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Production Sponsor
{23} {26} {29} October, {1} November 20:00
Nino Rota (1911–1979)
il cappello di paglia di firenze
(the florentine straw hat) Conductor sergio alapont Director andrea cigni Designer lorenzo cutùli Lighting Designer paul keogan Fadinard davide giusti Nonancourt salvatore salvaggio Beaupertuis filippo fontana Emilio name
The Florentine Straw Hat is an exhilarating comedy based on the famous nineteenth century French farce which inspired René Clair’s classic silent film An Italian Straw Hat. Nino Rota – who was also a celebrated composer of film music, including The Godfather and many films directed by Fellini – co-wrote the libretto for Il Cappello di paglia di Firenze and composed the music in 1945. His witty and brilliant satire on the petty conventions of respectable society is presented in music in the tradition of Rossini, Puccini and Verdi. The farcical story concerns a bridegroom’s quest to replace a straw hat eaten by his horse. Unfortunately the hat belonged to a married lady who was dallying with her lover, and she fears discovery if she returns home hatless. An unpromising start to a wedding day!
Elena claudia boyle La Baronessa di Champigny name
This production is also made possible with the generous support of The Bravura Friends of Wexford Festival Opera.
Sung in Italian
The production is proudly supported by the Italian Institute of Culture Dublin.
Tickets from ¤30
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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Production Supporter
{24} {30} Oct, {2} Nov 20:00 | {27} Oct 17:00
JULES MASSENET (1842–1912)
THÉRÈSE / LA NAVARRAISE (DOUBLE BILL)
Conductor david agler Director renaud doucet Designer andré barbe Lighting Designer paul keogan
thérèse Thérèse nora sourouzian André Thorel brian mulligan Armand de Clerval philippe do
la navarraise Anita nora sourouzian Araquil philippe do
In Thérèse and La Navarraise Massenet dramatically contrasts the moral values of two women caught up in male conflicts. Thérèse is set during the French Revolution and concerns three people forced by brutal politics to make life and death choices. Thérèse has the opportunity to escape with her lover Armand, but chooses instead to go to her death with her husband. La Navarraise is Anita, the woman from Navarre, who loves a soldier and fears for his safety. His father will not allow him to marry a poor girl, and so Anita secretly offers to kill the enemy leader for money for her dowry. Alas for poor, desperate Anita. The man she loves accuses her of prostitution; he dies of his wounds and she goes mad.
This production is also generously supported by Peter and Nancy Thompson in memory of Jerome Hynes.
Garrido brian mulligan
Sung in French Tickets from ¤30
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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{25} {28} {31} Oct 20:00 | {3} Nov 17:00
Jacopo Foroni (1825–1858)
cristina, regina di svezia
(christina, queen of sweden) Conductor andrew greenwood Director stephen medcalf Designer jamie vartan Lighting Designer paul keogan Cristina elizabeth meister Gabriele de la Gardie john bellemer Maria Eufrosina lucia cirillo Axel Oxenstierna david stout Erik patrick hyland Carlo Gustavo igor golovatenko
Sung in Italian Tickets from ¤30
The iconic Queen Christina of Sweden (1626-1689) has inspired many artistic works, including the 1933 film Queen Christina, starring Greta Garbo. The dramatic orchestral music and lyrical bel canto vocal writing of Foroni’s opera are reminiscent of Donizetti and the young Verdi. The opera depicts the events surrounding Christina’s sudden abdication in 1654 and her unrequited love for Gabriele (Magnus Gabriel de la Gardie) who loves Christina’s cousin Maria. Jacopo Foroni’s early death from cholera in 1858, aged thirty-three, has contributed to his relative obscurity as a composer. Born in Verona, he left Italy during the political unrest of 1848 and went to Stockholm where he conducted an Italian opera company. The success of Cristina, regina di Svezia led to his appointment as Court Conductor. This production is made possible with the generous support of The American Friends of Wexford Festival Opera. The production is also proudly supported by the Italian Institute of Culture Dublin.
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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FESTIVAL CALENDAR Wednesday 23 October
Saturday 26 October
Opening Ceremony
11:00 L’Elisir d’amore 13:05 Lunchtime Recital 15:00* Dr Tom Walsh Lecture 15:30* La Traviata 19:00 Pre-Opera Talk
20:00 il cappello di paglia di firenze
20:00 il cappello di paglia di firenze
Thursday 24 October
Sunday 27 October
13:05 15:30 19:00
11:00 12:00 16:00
Irish Heritage at Wexford – Back to Titanic La Traviata Pre-Opera Talk
20:00 THÉRÈSE / LA NAVARRAISE
Losers Festival Mass, Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rowe Street Pre-Opera Talk
17:00 THÉRÈSE / LA NAVARRAISE 21:00 Gala Concert
Friday 25 October 11:00 13:05 15:30 19:00
Irish Heritage at Wexford – Irish Connections Lunchtime Recital The Sleeping Queen Pre-Opera Talk
20:00 cristina, regina di svezia
Monday 28 October (Bank Holiday)
11:00 13:05 15:30 19:00
The Sleeping Queen Lunchtime Recital La Traviata Pre-Opera Talk
20:00 cristina, regina di svezia *Please note that it is not possible to attend both the Dr Tom Walsh Lecture and this performance of La Traviata.
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
62nd Wexford Festival Opera Wednesday 23 October – Sunday 3 November 2013
Tuesday 29 October
Friday 1 November
13:05 Lunchtime Recital 15:30 L’Elisir d’amore 19:00 Pre-Opera Talk
11:00 13:05 15:30 19:00
20:00 il cappello di paglia di firenze
L’Elisir d’amore Lunchtime Recital La Traviata Pre-Opera Talk
20:00 il cappello di paglia di firenze
Wednesday 30 October
Saturday 2 November
11:00 13:05 15:30 19:00
11:00 13:05 15:30 19:00
Irish Heritage at Wexford – Back to Titanic Lunchtime Recital Losers Pre-Opera Talk
Irish Heritage at Wexford – Back to Titanic Lunchtime Recital Losers Pre-Opera Talk
20:00 THÉRÈSE / LA NAVARRAISE
20:00 THÉRÈSE / LA NAVARRAISE
Thursday 31 October
Sunday 3 November
11:00 13:05 15:30 19:00
La Traviata Lunchtime Recital The Sleeping Queen Pre-Opera Talk
20:00 cristina, regina di svezia
11:00 11:00 16:00
Festival Service, St Iberius Church La Traviata Pre-Opera Talk
17:00 cristina, regina di svezia
Schedule correct at the time of going to print, but may be subject to subsequent change.
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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become a friend OF WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA Wexford Festival Opera has flourished for over sixty years due to pride, passion and patronage. It simply could not continue without the generous support of our Friends who are at the heart of the Festival’s development and success. Join this network of opera devotees by becoming a Friend and enjoy a truly unique Festival experience! Friends are entitled to a range of benefits including: • Priority Booking • Behind-the-scenes updates • Access to the Friends’ overseas opera tour • Invitations to the new ‘In conversation’ series of talks in London, Dublin and Wexford • Invitations to the Friends’ Recitals • Free subscriptions to the Friends’ online magazine and exclusive access to the new Friends’ area of the website • Invitations to the Friends Parties, Buffets and Lunches during the Festival • Complimentary Festival Programme and much more!
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
photo: patrick browne
What type of Friend are you? Ensemble Friend ¤185 – join our largest group of supporters and stay close to the heart of the drama Aria Friend ¤500 – help support young singers through the funding of an artist’s bursary Bravura Friend ¤2,000 – provide direct philanthropic support for one main stage production Prelude Friend ¤80 – a very special membership for those under the age of 35, making opera accessible to a new generation. For further information about our different levels of memberships contact Lucy Durack, Development Executive on +353 53 916 3525 or by email: lucy@wexfordopera.com.
Mariangela Sicilia and Rosetta Cucchi at the London Recital in St John’s Smith Square in March 2013. Photo © Ger Lawlor
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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visit wexford
Photo: paul holmes
Located on the southeast corner of Ireland is the gem that is County Wexford. The county contains historic towns and castles set amidst beautiful landscapes and is edged by a magnificent coastline with glorious sandy beaches and attractive fishing villages. Wexford town, the home of Wexford Festival Opera and a splendid new opera house, is the county’s heritage centre. There is a heritage trail in the town that pinpoints key sites and buildings from Wexford’s colourful past, including the twelfth century Selskar Abbey. Tours to
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
Photo: ger lawlor
places of interest in the county are organised by Wexford Historical Society during the Opera Festival (23 October–3 November). The Vikings invaded and settled in the area in the tenth century and the town was invaded again in 1169 by the Normans. Both sets of visitors left their mark in the county’s place names. Wexford was once a walled town and retains something of its medieval layout in the many interesting narrow streets and laneways and its long attractive quayside.
Photo: Paddy donovan
Wexford embraces the present as well as its historic past with an eclectic array of independent shops, craftspeople, hotels, gourmet restaurants, artisan food producers and exclusive fashion shops. Wexford Festival Opera creates a remarkable camaraderie in the town. There is something in the air that quickens everyone’s pulse, a common community heartbeat of expansive good feeling and heightened sensibility that brings people back again and again.
There is also a vibrant fringe festival: Wexford Fringe Festival (17 October – 4 November) delivers the very best in Irish and international visual art, classical, traditional and contemporary music, theatre, dance, literature, craft and children’s events. Highlights in 2013 include Helen O’Leary’s mixed media exhibition at Wexford Arts Centre, a craft exhibition at Greenacres Gallery and the play Kennedy’s Children at Wexford Arts Centre. Tickets and information on Fringe events will be available from the Wexford Fringe Festival Hub at Wexford Arts Centre.
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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Wexford, town and county, invites you to join in its celebrations for The Gathering Ireland 2013, emphasising in particular the links between Wexford and the USA. In June 2013 the memory of Wexford man Commodore John Barry known as ‘The Father of the American Navy’ will be honoured in his hometown at the second annual John Barry Maritime Festival (20–23 June) in Wexford town.
From 22 June to 3 July in the town of New Ross the memory of President John F. Kennedy will be celebrated with a series of events for JFK50. His great grandfather was born near New Ross and JFK50 remembers President Kennedy’s visit to his ancestral homestead fifty years ago in June 1963. There is a wonderful variety of accommodation available, including cottages to rent, comfortable and hospitable bed and breakfasts, and five star hotels with spas and leisure centres.
For information on Wexford Festival Opera see www.wexfordopera.com, and for information on The Gathering, see www.thegatheringireland.com For information about Wexford Fringe Festival see www.wexfordfringe.ie and www.wexfordartscentre.ie For information about enjoying a holiday in Wexford see www.visitwexford.ie and www.discoverireland.ie
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
ACCOMMODATION The Ferrycarrig Hotel The nationally- and internationally-renowned 4-star Ferrycarrig Hotel boasts one of the most inspiring locations of any hotel in Wexford or Ireland, with sweeping views across the River Slaney. The hotel is the perfect location for your visit to the 2013 Festival. Our preferred hotel partner is the Ferrycarrig Hotel.
For more information call reservations directly on +353 53 915 3623 E: reservations@ ferrycarrighotel.com W: www.ferrycarrighotel.ie
Whites of Wexford For more information: T: +353 53 912 2311 E: info@whitesofwexford.ie W: www.whitesofwexford.ie
Whites of Wexford is one of the leading 4-star Wexford hotels, conveniently located in the centre of Wexford town. Large parking facilities are available.
The Talbot Hotel The Talbot Hotel, Wexford is ideally located in the heart of Wexford town. This is one of the finest hotels in Wexford, boasting panoramic views of Wexford’s quay front.
Kelly’s Resort Hotel The 4-star Kelly’s Resort Hotel is uniquely situated along five miles of safe sandy beach in Rosslare, Co. Wexford.
For more information: T: +353 53 912 2566 E: sales@talbothotel.ie W: www.talbothotel.ie
For more information: T: +353 53 913 2114 E: info@kellys.ie W: www.kellys.ie
For further information on accommodation in Wexford and its surroundings visit: www.visitwexford.ie | www.discoverireland.ie | www.irelandhotels.com
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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travelling to wexford
AIR
RAIL
Fly to Dublin International Airport (www.dublinairport.com). There are a variety of transport options from there to Wexford, including car hire and a direct coach service to Wexford, as well as bus services to Dublin city for onward travel to Wexford by bus or train.
Irish Rail operates regular train services to Wexford from Connolly and Pearse railway stations in Dublin (www.irishrail.ie).
There are also scheduled flights between Waterford Regional Airport and Manchester and Birmingham.
Wexford Bus operates a direct bus service between Dublin Airport and Wexford (www.wexfordbus.com).
BUS
Bus Éireann operates regular bus services to Wexford (www.buseireann.ie).
SEA Wexford is situated close to Rosslare Europort. Stena Line operates daily sailings between Rosslare Harbour and Fishguard (www.stenaline.com). Irish Ferries sails between Rosslare and Pembroke, and between Rosslare and Cherbourg (www.irishferries.com).
CAR HIRE Enjoy your visit to Wexford with the greater freedom you get when you rent a car from Hertz, Ireland’s premier car hire company (www.hertz.ie).
ROAD Wexford is easily accessed from many main routes in Ireland. Detailed directions may be obtained from AA Route Planner (www.aaireland.ie).
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
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Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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DINING
photo: clive barda/arenapal
Pre-Opera Suppers at Wexford Opera House A three-course candle-lit table service is provided by Ferrycarrig Hotel, our preferred catering and hotel partner. Pre-Opera Suppers, priced at ¤40 per person, will be served on each performance evening during the Festival except for 3 November. Service begins at 18:00, except on 27 October when the Suppers will be served after the 17:00 performance. Reservations must be made directly with Ferrycarrig Hotel by telephone: call +353 53 915 3664. We regret that Pre-Opera Suppers cannot be booked online or through the Wexford Festival Opera Box Office.
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
Champagne and Canapés Treat yourself to a Deutz Champagne and Canapés interval reception in the Mackenzie Room at Wexford Opera House on any night during the Festival. Tickets cost ¤20 and may be booked online from 7 May at www.wexfordopera.com and by telephone (+353 53 912 2144).
Sky View Café Located on the third floor at Wexford Opera House, the Sky View Café is open throughout the year and boasts panoramic views of Wexford Harbour. It offers delicious menus brought to you by Ferrycarrig Hotel. For further information, menus and booking details, please visit www.wexfordoperahouse.ie
book your TICKETS General Booking from 10:00 on Tuesday 4 June 2013. Tickets may be booked using the following methods:
Online: www.wexfordopera.com E-mail: boxoffice@wexfordopera.com Telephone: +353 53 912 2144 / 1850 4 OPERA In person at Wexford Opera House Box Office We recommend that you book your tickets online as this is the best way to secure your preferred tickets. PHOTO: Frazer Ashford
Refund / Return Policy
Special Needs
Subject to availability, tickets may be exchanged for the same opera on an alternative date. The original ticket(s) must be with the Box Office at least 72 hours prior to the performance to qualify for an exchange.
For information on our special needsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; access, visit www.wexfordopera.com.
Tickets can only be accepted for resale if the performance is sold out. The original ticket(s) must be with the Box Office before we can begin the resale process. If your ticket(s) is resold, you will be refunded, less 15% administration fee.
Donations If you wish, you can make a contribution to Wexford Festival Foundation. Further information is available at www.wexfordopera.com. Please Note The Management reserves the right to refuse admission and to change or cancel the advertised programme or artists. Latecomers cannot be admitted once the performance has commenced. Please allow sufficient time for traffic and parking delays.
Book online at www.wexfordopera.com
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opera tickets Booking Dates
Please note
Tickets are available in three price bands over the Festival. Prices are based on the most requested Festival dates. Price Band A
Wednesday 23 October Friday 25 October – Sunday 27 October Wednesday 30 October – Saturday 2 November
Price Band B
Thursday 24 October Monday 28 October – Tuesday 29 October Sunday 3 November
Price Band C
Gala Concert: Sunday 27 October
Pricing Floor Level
Seating Area
Information on our Refund/ Return Policy may be found on page 30. In keeping with Wexford Festival Opera tradition, evening dress is recommended for the evening opera performances.
Dates & Prices Price Band A 23, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31 Oct 1, 2 Nov
Price Band B 29 Oct–1 Nov
Price Band C Gala 28 Oct
Circle
Rows A–B
¤125
¤95
¤60
Circle
Rows C–G
¤115
¤85
¤50
Circle
Row H*
¤35
¤35
¤50
Circle
Side Stalls
¤110
¤75
¤50
Circle
Boxes** (4 seats)
¤75
¤30
¤50
Founders’ Circle
Centre
¤135
¤125
¤60
Founders’ Circle
Side Stalls
¤130
¤110
¤60
Founders’ Circle
Boxes** (6 seats)
¤110
¤90
¤50
Stalls
Main Stalls
¤120
¤100
¤50
Stalls
Side Stalls
¤110
¤90
¤50
*Reserved during all opera performances exclusively for Prelude Friends of Wexford Festival Opera **Restricted view
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Wexford Festival Opera 2013
2012 production of Le Roi malgree lui by Emmanuel Chabrier. Photo Š Clive Barda/ArenaPAL
General booking opens 7 June 2013 Wexford Opera House | High Street, Wexford, Ireland Tel: +353 53 912 2400 | Box Office: +353 53 912 2144 Callsave: 1850 4 OPERA boxoffice@wexfordopera.com www.wexfordopera.com
patron
Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland
resident Sir Anthony Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reilly p hairman Ger Lawlor c artistic director David Agler hief executive David McLoughlin c
Editor: Sarah Burn
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Design: Miles Linklater, 24pt Helvetica