KING OF THE CASTLE: verdi’s Macbeth enjoys a sell out run for four nights in the grounds of Lismore Castle Co waterford. irellands summer opera festival runs until Monday June 5th, with 21 events over 8 days. highlights include concerts with paula Murrihy with the irish Baroque Orchestra, Ian Bostridge, Nadége Rochat and Judith Jáuregui, classical music recitals at venues around the Blackwater Valley, education programmesand free open air recitals. Aine Cassidy, Sarah Luttrell, Caroline Behan and the BVOF Chorus performing at the festival. See blackwatervalleyopera.com photo john d kelly.
The sold-out Blackwater Valley Opera Festival filled the summer air with the beautiful tones of world-class performers last weekend. Ireland’s summer opera festival featured 21 events including opera, recitals and concerts at 12 beautiful locations, steeped in history and character. The opera and classical music festival was made accessible to all with many concessions tickets, free open air recitals and multiple education programmes including a schools’ night for 450 local students and children.
Highlights included the headline opera Verdi’s Macbeth, set in the grounds of Lismore Castle, conducted by Killian Farrell, directed by Sarah Baxter and in artistic collaboration with the Irish Chamber Orchestra as well as concerts with Ian Bostridge with Saskia Giorgini, Nadège Rochat and Judith Jáuregui, and Paula Murrihy with the Irish Baroque Orchestra & Peter Whelan, at Dromore Yard.
Festival Director Eamonn Carroll said, “We are delighted that we were able to bring such high calibre performances to this year’s Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. The weather, the stunning locations, and beautiful menus by Eunice Power and Eamo & Ró all created unique experiences for our audiences. This has been our most successful year yet – from our highest ticket sales ever, to number of artists and the quality of this year’s events – we have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback, it has been an extraordinary festival. I’d like to thank my team for all their work behind the scenes, all the volunteers who gave their time over the festival week, our generous funders, donors and sponsors, Local Heroes, schools and local communities, the festival audiences, and all of our incredible artists.”
If you missed out on a ticket this year, you can register for early booking and 2024 information online at www.blackwatervalleyopera.ie
