Over 75 events taking place across Wexford Festival Opera

Since 1951, the Wexford Festival Opera has grown into an annual landmark event in the international opera calendar, marking its 75th anniversary this year. Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi attributes the festival's enduring appeal to its connection with the town and its people. This year's 75 events over 17 days aim to present high-quality productions of rarely performed opera repertoire and discover emerging national and international talent.

The program includes three principal operas: Iris by Mascagni, Le Quivi Costravagante by Rossini, and The Gambler by Prokofiev. Other side events include pocket opera, community opera, factory opera concerts, and a special concert called Croí na Féile, featuring international singers who performed at the festival when they were young and have since established international careers.

The landmark anniversary program also includes Colm Tóibín's new work, First festival, a world premiere set in the local motor tax office in Wexford in 1951. Composer-in-residence Ailís Ní Ríain, who is deaf and hard of hearing, created an original work featuring emerging artists from The Factory and 18 local community cast members from the town.

One local resident featured in the production is Brian Mullen, a waiter working locally who has been cast as the narrator. He expressed his excitement about being part of the festival, describing himself as very lucky and very happy.