BECOME A FRIEND Discover a Hidden Gem
2019 RENEWAL AND APPLICATION FORM
FRIENDS OF WEXFORD OPERA Become enchanted with harmony Support from our Friends forms the cornerstone of what makes Wexford Festival Opera truly great. Founded in 1951 by a group of opera admirers who gave their time, talents and what limited funds they had. The Festival has evolved to be a leader in national and international opera; lauded and praised by audiences and critics worldwide.
Your invaluable support for Wexford Opera Festival allows us to: • Breathe life into Hidden Gems of the operatic repertoire. • Discover and promote the most talented emerging national and international artistic talent. Our friends and donors provide support because they recognise the cultural and artistic contribution that the Festival makes to Ireland and the international opera community. Your support enabled Wexford win the highly coveted Best Festival award at the International Opera Awards 2017.
BECOME A FRIEND Stay close to the heart of the Drama By becoming a Friend of Wexford Festival Opera, you are directly underpinning the work of our Artistic Director and our vital artistic initiatives, and helping us put on stage what you – our audience – expect from Wexford. We have a variety of ways for you to get involved, and we would invite you to consider one of the opportunities below to help us to continue producing world-class operatic productions. FRIENDS’ LEVELS AND BENEFITS: OUR WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU As a special thank you, we have designed a range of exclusive benefits to enhance your experience during the Festival and throughout the year: • Priority booking for the best seats • Exclusive recitals – featuring upcoming festival artists – in London and Dublin • Access to an exclusive international opera tour • In Conversation lectures in London and Dublin • Complimentary tickets to Friends’ Parties, Lunches, and Buffet during the Festival • Exclusive access – during the Festival – to: – The Friends’ Lounge in the National Opera House – Welcome Receptions held during the Festival • A complimentary copy of the Official Programme Book, Loyalty Card, Newsletter, CD, and lapel pin • Regular news updates
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FRIENDS’ LEVELS AND As a Friend, your contribution directly funds vital elements of the Festival we provide the following privileges PRELUDE is designed for younger music enthusiasts to encourage them to develop a love for opera.
Benefit
Prelude
Chorus
Ensemble
Level €
€80
€125
€185
Promotional Level for Under 35s
Opera Chorus
Opera Orchestra
–
–
2
Complimentary Tickets to Friends’ Events
Discounted
2
4
Access to Tickets for each performance
Discounted
4
6
Recognition: Festival Programme Book & Website
Single
Single
Single/Joint
Interval Receptions and Access
Foundation Room
Foundation Room
Foundation Room
Access to European Opera Tour
•
•
•
Friends’ Recitals & In Conversation Events
•
•
•
Programme Book, Newsletter, CD, and Lapel Pin
•
•
•
CHORUS is a great way to support the Festival Chorus and enjoy many of the benefits of full membership throughout the year at an affordable price.
Supporting
ENSEMBLE supporters are at the heart of the Festival, bringing the warmth and camaraderie synonymous with the ‘Wexford Experience’. Ensemble Friends’ contribute directly to the wonderful Festival Orchestra.
Priority Seating – Upgrades
ENSEMBLE + provides additional benefits for those seeking the best seating and priority upgrade privileges for the 2018 season. Contributions at this level – and above – may attract a potential tax rebate up to 45%, making your gift to Wexford Opera even more impactful. ARIA Through their annual bursary, Aria Friends provide wonderful opportunities for a range of promising young artists selected from members of the chorus and/or principal singers. The support provided ensures the continued development of both Irish and international singing talent.
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Priority Booking – In advance of general access (weeks)
Eligible for a potential tax refund to Wexford Festival Opera Opportunities to meet artists at cast parties/ dinners
BENEFITS AT A GLANCE each year. In addition to the general Friends’ benefits mentioned overleaf, and recognition opportunities: Ensemble +
Aria
Cabaletta
Bravura
€300
€500
€1,000
€2,000
Creative Team
Young Artist Bursary
ShortWork Performance
Mainstage Opera Performance
3
3
3
Personalised Assistance
•
•
•
•
6
8
10
12
8
10
12
14
Single/Joint
Single/Joint
Single/Joint
Single/Joint
Foundation Room
Foundation Room
Foundation Room & Founders’ Room
Foundation Room & Founders’ Room
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CABALETTA Friends are provided with the highest access to priority booking, coupled with VIP access to both the Friends’ and Founders interval lounges, in recognition of their support of the Festival’s ShortWork performances. BRAVURA – Our premium Friends membership provides funding support for one mainstage production each year, helping to maintain the highest possible standards of artistic programming. Bravura Friends are recognised online and in the Festival Programme Book. Bravura Friends also have the opportunity to have a group lunch with a select number of the cast and creative team of their supported opera.
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TRANSFORMATIONAL GIVING At Wexford Festival Opera we continually strive to breathe new life into overlooked operatic gems and to champion new talent. We work closely with our most generous supporters to explore new opportunities to support our endeavours including:
ARTISTIC BENEFACTORS
The Artistic Benefactors programme enables Wexford Festival Opera to attract the opera world’s most innovative and exciting singers, directors, and conductors for Wexford’s unique opera productions. Artistic Benefactors receive recognition in the Festival Programme, complimentary Festival tickets, and a lunch or dinner engagement with the artist or creative team member they are directly supporting. Each support level provides a special opportunity for opera lovers to not just support, but also to meet and engage with artists, and gain insight and appreciation for the world of opera from a performer’s perspective. We have been delighted to see lasting friendships blossom between artists and benefactors since the beginning of this wonderful initiative. Maestro level €10,000 – you are providing significant support to Wexford Festival Opera which enables us to attract some of the most talented directors, conductors, and producers for our mainstage operas. This level of support also allows you to support a complete choral, orchestral or vocal recital during the Festival. Principale level €5,000 – you can support either a young/emerging artist or a well-established singer; the choice is yours! At all stages, opera is a vocation that demands intense personal investment. It is very encouraging for a performer to know that someone in the audience is behind them in this most practical way.
ENDOW A SEAT
Endowing a seat is a wonderful way to support Wexford Festival Opera and be part of the National Opera House. You may make a dedication in your own name, your family’s, a friend, or that of a loved one. A plaque will be placed on a seat of your choice – from those available – and your name recognised on a donor scroll located in the foyer of the Opera House.
Nuala Sheedy would be delighted to speak to you should you wish to obtain more information about the Artistic Benectors program or Endowing a Seat: Phone: +353 53 916 3525 Email: nuala@wexfordopera.com
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LEGACY GIVING
Securing the future with the 1951 Endowment Fund. By planning a legacy gift your thoughtfulness and generosity will help sustain the Wexford Festival and its dedication to recherché opera well into the future.
JOIN A PRODUCTION CONSORTIUM
This level of giving can be one of the most rewarding experiences. By donating to a Production Consortium you will join with other like-minded patrons of the arts and become part of the journey from score to stage. This group will be involved through the creative process with a more in depth insight into seeing the production brought to life by our talented artistic team.
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE
Leadership gifts can transform a great production into an extraordinary opera. Support at this level gives our artistic team the scope to plan transformational works by attracting exciting and innovative artists and by working with other leading international companies on coproductions – raising the bar to new heights. We have some exciting initiatives we would love to share with those who might consider supporting at this exemplar level.
Ann Marie Dalton would be delighted to speak to you should you wish to obtain more information about Legacy Giving, Production Consortiums, or the President’s Circle: Phone: +353 87 901 2925 Email: adalton@wexfordopera.com
WHAT TYPE OF FRIEND ARE YOU? O Prelude Friend (under 35 years of age) €80 O Chorus Friend €125 O Ensemble Friend €185 Ensemble + €300 Aria Friend €500 Cabaletta Friend €1,000 O O O O Bravura Friend €2,000 Name: Surname: Name to appear in the Festival Programme: Postal address:
Telephone: Mobile: To receive the full benefits of your Friends’ Membership, please include a current email address. E-mail: If you would like to receive all communications by email, please tick here
VOLUNTARY GIFTS
€
I would also like to make an additional gift to Wexford Festival Trust in the sum of
Gifts can be made in a tax advantageous way through our Irish, UK, US and Canadian Charitable Trusts: • The tax advantage on gifts given to Wexford Festival Trust by Irish donors directly benefits Wexford Festival Opera, making your gift go even further. • To make your gift through our UK Trust, please make the cheque payable to ‘Wexford Festival Trust’. • To make your gift tax effective in the US, please make the cheque payable to ‘The American Ireland Fund’ and make reference to Wexford Festival Opera. • To make your gift tax effective in Canada, please make the cheque payable to ‘The Ireland Funds of Canada’ and make reference to Wexford Festival Opera.
METHODS OF PAYMENT Recommended O I would like to pay my subscription by direct debit. Please send me a direct debit form
€
Please enter your membership plus any voluntary gifts in the box above.
O I enclose a cheque payable to ‘Wexford Festival Trust’ O Please debit my:
Mastercard
Visa
Visa Debit
Laser
O Card number:
(A charge of €1.50 applies)
Expiry date
CCV
Name (as it appears on card): For more information contact Nuala Sheedy, Friends Development Executive: by email: nuala@wexfordopera.com or by phone: +353 53 916 3525. Memberships can be completed online at wexfordopera.com, or by returning this form by email, or by post to Wexford Festival Opera, Friends Office, The National Opera House, High Street, Wexford Y35 FEP3.
The National Opera House High Street, Wexford, Ireland Y35 FEP3 Nuala Sheedy, Friends’ Development Executive Tel: +353 53 912 2400 Friends: +353 53 916 3525 Callsave: 1850 4 OPERA nuala@wexfordopera.com Wexfordopera.com Wexford Festival Trust is a registered Charity in Ireland. Charity Number: CHY 6132. The Wexford Festival UK Trust is a charitable trust, registered with the UK Charity Commission: Number: 279665, and is also registered with the Inland Revenue for the purpose of claiming refunds on gift aid donations.
2019 WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA 18 OCTOBER – 3 NOVEMBER, 2019 PRIORITY BOOKING DATES (BY LEVEL) Ensemble +, Aria, Cabaletta, Bravura Saturday 23 March 2019 Ensemble: Saturday 30 March 2019 General Booking opens Saturday 13 April 2019
Photos by Clive Barda/ArenaPAL