Wexford Festival Opera

30/08/2026

Thank you to Operawire and Alan Neilson for a wonderful interview with our Executive Director, Suzanne Nance. Suzanne shares her story from starting as an opera singer to moving into management. She also reflects on what drew her to Wexford and her vision for the Festival.

'I love music. In fact, I started out as a singer. The household I grew up in was full of music and storytelling.'

'I knew it was a festival that was established and grew against all odds in a beautiful town, in a beautiful country. It was something that I wanted to be involved in' - Suzanne on Wexford Festival Opera.

The 75th Wexford Festival Opera runs from 15-31 October.

Read the full interview here 👇

(Photo: AJ Coots) When I was asked to interview Wexford Festival Opera’s new CEO, Suzanne Nance, my thoughts immediately turned to balance sheets, profit forecasts, marketing campaigns, contracts, fundraising and staffing issues. I must admit that it did little to set the pulse racing. However, it...

29/08/2026

"Just imagine the First Festival and the first time an Italian tenor or a soprano, walked the main street, what that must have been like for people?"

The First Festival is the world premiere of Colm Tóibín’s joyous and deliciously racy one-hour opera, sung in English. Commissioned especially for Wexford Festival Opera’s 75th anniversary, it tells a story of love, music and a community changed forever by the arrival of opera. 🎭

The work reunites celebrated novelist Colm Tóibín with his longtime collaborator, composer Alberto Caruso, in a tribute to the people, personalities, and audacious spirit from which the Festival was born in the Southeast of Ireland.

🎟 Tickets from €20 to €60.
🗓️ 4 performances only! 19, 24, 26 & 29 October. Don't miss out!
🎟 wexfordopera.com

28/08/2026

Music, cocktails, 1950s style and the world premiere of Colm Tóibín’s joyous and deliciously racy The First Festival!

We are turning back the clock 75 years to where it all began, and we want you to be part of the magic! On Monday, 19th October, Wexford Festival Opera invites you to step into an era of fabulous fashion, swing rhythms, and vintage glamour. This isn't just an opera night performance, it’s a 1951 time capsule experience!

🍹The Pre-Opera Vintage Reception

We would love you to arrive early to soak up the nostalgic atmosphere and get into the spirit of the occasion. We will have iconic 1950s music playing throughout the foyer with specially crafted vintage cocktails before the curtain goes up.

💃The Dress Code: Fabulous Fifties

To help us recreate the magic of 1951, we invite you to dress up in the style of the decade. We would love to welcome your creativity, whether you fancy a playful nod to the era with poodle skirts and classic pearls, want to channel a dapper, slicked-back look, or just want to add a retro twist to your favourite outfit. We cannot wait to see the foyer filled with magnificent 1950s flair.

🎭The Opera: 'The First Festival'

The centrepiece of the evening is the world premiere of Colm Tóibín’s joyous and deliciously racy one-hour opera, sung in English. Commissioned especially for Wexford Festival Opera’s 75th anniversary, The First Festival tells a story of love, music and a community changed forever by the arrival of opera. The work reunites celebrated novelist Colm Tóibín with his longtime collaborator, composer Alberto Caruso, in a tribute to the people, personalities, and audacious spirit from which the Festival was born in the Southeast of Ireland.

Join us for our 1950s theme night. Tickets are available from €20 to €60. Don't miss out!

🎟 https://bit.ly/TheFirstFestival

19/08/2026

Take a beautiful walk down memory lane with us as we look back at the incredible legacy that shaped our Festival.

We are thrilled to share an exclusive video featuring Victoria Walsh Hamer, daughter of our founder Dr Tom Walsh. Victoria shares her earliest memories of the Festival's beginnings, recalling that Dr Tom "knew what to look for in the voice and he was good at picking singers... he was also very good at bringing people along with him."

As we honour our history, we are also looking forward to the future. Our landmark 75th Anniversary Festival is just around the corner and we would love to celebrate this historic milestone with you! ✨

Join us from 15-31 October in Wexford!

🎟 wexfordopera.com

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11/08/2026

‘Wexford people have an extraordinary can-do attitude.’ says Paul Hennessy, Chairman of the National Opera House and former chair of Wexford Festival Trust (2004 – 2009). We couldn't agree more!

A wonderful feature in the Wexford People about how the National Opera House came about, reminding us that building a world-class opera house required incredible vision and community spirit. A lovely tribute to the late Jerome Hynes, whose wife Alma Hynes recalls Jerome’s determination to keep the National Opera House in the heart of Wexford town, and how his ‘greatest ability was to network … he was able to convince people in business that it would be fruitful and rewarding for them to sponsor the arts.’

Sincere thanks to Paul Hennessy for his visionary leadership as Chair of the Wexford Festival Trust (2004–2009), culminating in the opening of the Opera House in 2008. In Paul's own words:- ‘It’s typical that the National Opera House came about through Wexford … it’s in the DNA of the Wexford Festival Opera, we built an internationally renowned festival, why not build an opera house?’

Bravo to all who made - and continue to make - this 'outrageous' dream a reality.

To read the full article, subscribe to the Wexford People's premium subscription online to unlock full access right now 👇

“Wexford people have an extraordinary can-do attitude,” says Paul Hennessy, chairman of the National Opera House. He is referring to the mindset that, having created and sustained the Wexford Festival Opera over 75 years, also realised the ‘outrageous’ proposal to build a new opera house whe...

06/08/2026

✨ Wexford Festival Opera and British Airways Announce Major Partnership ✈️

We have exciting news to share with you! Ahead of our landmark 75th Anniversary Festival, we are delighted to announce a new partnership with British Airways.

Under this partnership, British Airways will be the Festival’s official airline and production sponsor for Mascagni’s Iris, the highly anticipated production that will open the Festival on 15 October. Beyond the stage, British Airways will also support the Festival’s learning and engagement programmes.

Through this partnership, Wexford Festival Opera and British Airways affirm a joint commitment to artistic excellence, and to providing access to transformative educational opportunities for young people, students, and emerging artists throughout the 2026 season and beyond.

We look forward to working together with British Airways in our 75th anniversary year.

Commenting on the announcement, Executive Director of Wexford Festival Opera Suzanne Nance said. “We are delighted to welcome British Airways as the Festival's Official Airline and Production Sponsor in this landmark 75th anniversary year. Each October, Wexford more than doubles in size as we welcome artists and audiences from across the globe, all drawn to Ireland by the power of extraordinary opera and storytelling. This partnership will help us continue to create unforgettable artistic experiences while supporting the singers, musicians, technicians, craftspeople, and young artists whose talent and dedication bring the Festival to life. We are deeply grateful to British Airways for investing in the future of Wexford Festival Opera.”

British Airways’ Director of Marketing, Hamish McVey said: “We’re proud to support Wexford Festival Opera through a partnership built on a shared commitment of championing the arts and providing transformative educational opportunities for young people, students and emerging artists ahead of its 75th anniversary. We’re excited to help connect audiences with this iconic cultural event and look forward to supporting its continued success.”

Read the full press release here https://www.wexfordopera.com/our-story/news/announcing-major-partnership-with-british-airways

This year’s 75th Wexford Festival Opera runs from 15-31 October. Explore the programme here https://www.wexfordopera.com/

📸 Don Quichotte by Massenet (WFO 2019). Photo © CLIVE BARDA ArenaPAL

02/08/2026

Only 75 days to go to our 75th Anniversary Festival!

️In just 75 days, the curtain rises for 17 Days and 75 Events, to celebrate 75 Years of Extraordinary.

Find out why The Guardian calls us “this most friendly of festivals.” ❤️

Join us 👉 15 - 31 October | https://www.wexfordopera.com/

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30/07/2026

Behind every unforgettable experience at the Wexford Festival Opera is a fantastic meal shared with loved ones!

Whether you are looking for a relaxed lunch, a quick coffee, or a special pre-opera dinner, our vibrant town has it all.

👉 Swipe left to discover our wonderful official dining partners and secure your reservations!

Visit Wexford Ireland's Ancient East Tourism Ireland Love Wexford Town

30/07/2026

Behind every unforgettable experience at the Wexford Festival Opera is a fantastic meal shared with loved ones!

Whether you are looking for a relaxed lunch, a quick coffee, or a special pre-opera dinner, our vibrant town has it all.

👉 Swipe left to discover our wonderful official dining partners and secure your reservations!

Visit Wexford Ireland's Ancient East Ireland Love Wexford Town

29/07/2026

Turn your Festival visit into a memorable escape with a stay at one of our trusted accommodation partners.

From 4-star hotels to self-catering apartments, we've got you covered for the ultimate stay while you enjoy everything Wexford has to offer.

Swipe to browse and book your stay for an unforgettable Festival experience!



Visit Wexford Ireland's Ancient East