Wexford Opera Festival
Wexford Opera Festival

Wexford Festival Opera

The National Opera House, High Street, Y35 FEP3
Wexford
Ireland

Located in the southeast corner of Ireland, Wexford Festival Opera was born out of the community when, in 1951, a group of opera enthusiasts from Wexford town, headed by a local G.P., Dr Tom Walsh and supported by the local townspeople, produced the very first Wexford Festival of Music and Art. 

This ambitious and, some might say, fantastical idea to produce a festival of lesser-known opera repertoire in a rural town in Ireland, has now grown into one of the top opera festivals in the world with approximately one-third of its audiences travelling to Wexford each October from abroad and another third travelling from the various parts of Ireland to see and hear what they are unlikely to experience anywhere else. The Festival retains a deep connection with the community. It attracts internationally renowned singers, as well as some of the best young vocalists, conductors, directors and designers destined for blossoming careers. 

Wexford explores less-frequented areas of the operatic repertory, with a focus on reviving and rehabilitating operas that have not received the exposure they richly deserve. Many of Wexford’s re-discoveries have gone on to become part of the standard opera repertory. The company was named ‘Best Festival’ at the International Opera Awards 2017.