Blackwater Valley Opera Festival wrapped up its most ambitious festival to date, attracting more than 5,000 people to a packed seven-day programme of opera, concerts, and recitals.
With both ticketed and free events staged across Waterford and East Cork, the festival showcased some of Ireland and Europe’s finest classical performers and introduced new audiences to the power of live opera in remarkable settings.
Local school children were the first to get a glimpse of what lay in store for lucky audiences as over 400 primary and post-primary students took part in educational workshops on set, attended the Opera Dress Rehearsal, and performed at the festivals’ Opening Ceremony.
For the first time, the festival presented two full opera productions, featuring some of Ireland’s most internationally acclaimed artists. The flagship opera A Midsummer Night’s Dream on the breathtaking grounds of Lismore Castle, and featured a children’s chorus and child performers, received rave reviews from audiences. Conductor David Brophy led the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and a predominantly all-Irish cast directed by Patrick Mason in a playful and atmospheric staging of Benjamin Britten’s 20th-century opera. Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, featuring Paula Murrihy, Dean Murphy, Kelli-Ann Masterson, and the Irish Baroque Orchestra, was performed in the candlelit surroundings of St Carthage’s Cathedral beneath a giant suspended moon. The production highlighted the expressive beauty of Baroque opera and offered a striking contrast in musical style and atmosphere within the week’s programme.
The programme at Dromore Yard – a romantic, semi-restored 19th-century farmyard on the banks of the River Blackwater – featured standout performances including When Birds Do Sing, a concert with Irish mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan and pianist Gary Beecher; while the festival finale Baroque Hits, performed by the Irish Baroque Orchestra under the baton of Nicholas McGegan, featured internationally celebrated Irish mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy.
Audiences were welcomed into some of the Blackwater Valley’s most atmospheric historic homes and venues for a series of intimate classical recitals. The programme featured Shakespeare in Music, The Tinker and the Fairy, and a special poetry and music recital honouring George Bernard Shaw. Music lovers also had the opportunity to see the talent of tomorrow with some exceptional performances by emerging talent, with winners of different bursary awards performing at various events throughout the week.
People of all ages enjoyed the Free Open Air Recitals in Lismore, Dungarvan, Youghal and Castlemartyr while food enthusiasts savored incredible pop-up dining experiences throughout the week, which highlighted the stunning produce of the Waterford and Cork region.
Eamonn Carroll, Festival Director of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, expressed his delight with the success of the festival, “This year marked a real step forward for the festival – our most ambitious and wide-reaching programme yet. There was a brilliant energy throughout the week, from the bold opera productions and beautifully curated recitals to our formal opera dining. What stood out most was the level of engagement from audiences of all ages – whether at sold-out performances, free open-air recitals in towns across the region, or taking part in workshops and opening celebrations.”
This year represented a major milestone as we staged two full opera productions for the first time – Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the stunning grounds of Lismore Castle, and Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas at St. Carthage’s Cathedral – each showcasing Ireland’s extraordinary operatic talent and the expressive power of live performance.
We are indebted to the over 100 volunteers who supported us over the week, our valued sponsors and donors, and we are incredibly grateful to the Arts Council of Ireland, Waterford City & County Council, AIB, Kildare Village, Marsh, and the John Pollard Foundation and the many local hotels and businesses for their support”
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival will return from 25 May to 1 June 2026 with Don Giovanni as the headline opera at Lismore Castle. Priority booking opens early for Friends of BVOF, with a range of benefits available through their membership programme. Visit blackwatervalleyopera.ie for more information.
