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AN unusually balmy October evening drew people from across the county out of their homes last Wednesday night to grab the best viewpoint for the 65th Wexford Festival Opera fireworks display.
An estimated 20,000 people lined Wexford Quay, Wexford Bridge and Ferrybank to watch the sky light up while others in nearby apartments, hotels and restaurants dropped what they were doing to step outside and share in the moment. However, before the spinning serpents, silver comets and popping flowers were unleashed into the sky, Festival Chairman Ger Lawlor said a few words to the crowd.
‘It is wonderful that for the last 65 years, people have been coming to Wexford Quayside for the opening in the same way that our parents and grandparents before us would have come. The Wexford Festival Opera is part of our Wexford DNA and something that defines us as being Wexford,’ he said. ‘On opening night, there is nowhere a real Wexford person would want to be than here.’
‘I urge people to switch off their tvs over the next 12 days and enjoy everything to do with the arts that is going on around the town.’
Mayor Frank Staples also addressed the huge crowd.
‘It is a tremendous honour for me as Mayor of Wexford Borough District to stand here on a night that has always been regarded as a highlight of the year in Wexford Town. The opening of Wexford Festival Opera is synonymous with all things good about Wexford - a festival that enriches all our lives every October,’ he said.
‘ The fireworks soaring above is not just about announcing the beginning of another feast of music and art in our medieval town - but we also announce to the world that Wexford is a bastion of art and culture.’
‘ This evening Wexford Festi- val Opera celebrates 65 years of existence. The founding fathers of this world renowned festival of music and art might surely be looking down in awe at the sight of 20,000 people here on this Quayfront from all over the world who receive a wonderfully warm welcome from the people of this town and beyond.’
The French Ambassador to Ireland His Excellency JeanPierre Thébault served as special guest on the night and he was warmly welcomed by Ger Lawlor.
‘France may have some of the best food and the best wine but we are going to have the best performance of a French opera tonight,’ said Ger.
The Ambassador greeted the crowds with a big ‘ bonjour’, encouraging everyone to respond in their best French accents. In his speech, he spoke of solidarity and thanked the people of Wexford for the support and sympathy they have extended to France in recent months.
Before the fireworks were launched into the sky, a moment of reflection was held on Wexford Bridge. Those who couldn’t be there to enjoy the evening were remembered in a moving flower release in aid of It’s Good 2 Talk. Organised by local lady Gemma Hayes, the event saw thousands of fresh gerbera flowers being floated out to sea from Wexford Bridge in memory of loved ones lost to suicide and as a mark of respect to those struggling with mental illness. All of the money raised will go towards It’s Good 2 Talk counselling services. Mayor Staples addressed the crowd before the occasion.
‘Mental health issues will affect one in five of us at some stage in our lives. It can be a devastating illness - for both the person suffering - as well as family and friends.
‘It is vital that we tackle this problem head on - by openly talking about it - and encouraging people to seek help.’
Everyone then stood for a moment of silence to remember the many people who have lost their lives to suicide in the county.
What followed was the moment that everyone had been waiting for – a spectacular display of colour and lights that danced across the sky in time with the booming music. A total of 358 kg of fireworks and the manpower of over 100 volunteers were required to pull off the dazzling spectacle. Gasps and cheers were heard among the crowd among adult and children alike as greens, silvers, reds, blues and golds were scattered and spread across their dark canvas.
Meanwhile, over at the National Opera House, a show of another kind began with a bang as the first of this year’s operas Herculanum graced the stage. The glitz of the quayfront fireworks display was echoed in the crowd, as the almost full audience donned their finest frocks and sharpest suits for the occasion. As far as opening nights go, the French opera by Felicien David certainly did not disappoint. The marathon show totalled three hours and 40 minutes and while a show of such length may normally test the patience of even the most seasoned opera-goer, the standing ovation and booming applause as the curtains closed proved that the audience were ready for more.
And the show must go on. Those who missed out on Herculanum can catch it again tonight (November 1) and on Friday. Meanwhile Vanessa by Samuel Barber, which was met with a great reaction last week, will run again tomorrow (November 2) and on Saturday. What has been described as ‘ the darkest of Donizetti’s tragedies’, Maria de Rudenz will be performed once more on Thursday on Sunday but if you haven’t nabbed a ticket, there is not chance of going as the show is a sell-out.
As part of The Festival ShortWorks, Il Campanello by Gaetano Donizetti will also be performed again tomorrow (November 2) and on Saturday in Clayton Whites following successful shows last week. Other shows featured in the ShortWorks series will be Riders to the Sea by Ralph Vaughan Williams (November 3 and 6) and The Bear by William Walton (tonight and November 4).
Lunchtime recitals in St Iberius Church, the RTE Contempo Quartet, a choral concert, tango concert and a friends buffet are just some of the many other events that form part of a brimming festival programme. A wide variety of art exhibitions, small plays and concerts will also be scattered in venues throughout town and beyond, while the Singing Pubs festival is also be in full swing until Saturday.
With six more days left to go, there is still time to get in on festival fever as tickets are still on sale for some of the shows.