Over 5,000 visitors expected at Blackwater Valley Opera Fest in County Waterford
Lismore Castle, home to the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF) has unveiled an exciting programme of opera and classical music for its 2025 festival, which runs from May 27 to June 2.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary year, Ireland’s leading summer opera festival runs for eight days and will feature world-class performances and dining experiences, in historic homes and venues in Lismore, Youghal, Dungarvan, and Castlemartyr, as well as programmes that bring opera and classical music to new audiences.
This year’s programme will include over 100 performers across 23 events at 12 venues, with concerts, recitals, and cultural experiences.
The festival hopes to welcome more than 5,000 visitors and engage with 2,000 students through its growing educational outreach programmes which make opera and classical music more accessible to the whole community.
Through its Bursary Awards, the festival will support nine artists and performers with €45,000 in funding.
Eamonn Carroll, Festival Director of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, said: "We’re delighted to present a fantastic programme for our 15th festival, bringing together outstanding performances and exciting productions featuring leading artists from Ireland and beyond."
He went on to comment: "Whether you’re a devoted opera fan or simply looking for a remarkable live experience, there’s something for everyone."
The highlight of the 2025 festival will be Benjamin Britten's, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', with four performances staged in the majestic grounds of Lismore Castle.
The opera brings to life a tale of magic, mischief, romance, and comedy, centred on the quarrel between Fairy-King Oberon and Queen Titania.
Featuring an all-Irish cast of performers, under the direction of Tony Award-winning, Patrick Mason, the production brings together the Irish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy, and the Children’s Chorus, including young voices from Piccolo Lasso and the BVOF Discover Singing Education Programme.
The second opera at BVOF 2025, takes place on May 27 and 29, at St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore.
It will be Henry Purcell’s, 'Dido and Aeneas', featuring Paula Murrihy, Dean Murphy, Kelli-Ann Masterson, and the Irish Baroque Orchestra conducted by Nicholas McGegan.
'Dido and Aeneas' is an iconic Baroque opera, telling the tragic love story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, and the Trojan hero Aeneas.
Tickets and full programme details about the festival are available online at blackwatervalleyopera.ie
