12 singers selected for new Opera academy
THE WEXFORD FACTORY WILL FEATURE MASTERCLASSES BY INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONALS
The names of the singers chosen to take part in a new music academy as part of Wexford Festival Opera, have been announced, as public booking opened for the 2020 programme
The Wexford Factory is a new initiative for Irish-based singers, established by WFO Artistic Director, Rosetti Cucchi, which will take place over two weeks in early September, before the start of rehearsals for the Festival.
‘The best memories of my life are associated with the academies I attended in my youth. That is where I learned the true meaning of professionalism and how I could continue to challenge myself as an artist’, said Rosetta.
‘This is the reason I decided to establish the Wexford Factory. It is the duty of every highly regarded international festival such as Wexford to give a new generation of singers the opportunity to grow, giving them wings to fly in their careers.’
The Wexford Factory is designed to mentor young singers through masterclasses led by internationally recognised artists and professionals. Guest tutors will include the world-renowned tenor Juan Diego-Flórez, Irish soprano Celine Byrne, as well as Ernesto Palacio of the Rossini Opera Festival and Dmitry Vdovin, head of the Bolshoi’s Young Artist programme.
Veteran Wexford Festival Opera director Roberto Recchia, Classical Music journalist Michael Dervan, movement specialist Sara Catellani and Rosetta Cucchi will also provide professional instruction. Graduating students will perform in one of the Pocket Operas or Opera Beag Shakespeare for Fun, a reduced production of Verdi’s Falstaff which will be performed at the National Opera House in October.
The Wexford Factory is organised in collaboration with TUD (Technological University Dublin), RIAM (Royal Irish Academy of Music) and CSM (Cork School of Music).
In keeping with the International profile and reach of Wexford Festival Opera, a partnership with the Bolshoi Academy, Moscow, the Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro, and Opera for Peace has also been established.
In addition to the twelve Irish and Irish-based singers, two young singers, one from the Bolshoi Academy, Moscow and one from the Rossini Opera Festival, Pesaro will join the new initiative. The twelve Irish-based singers selected to participate are Anna Brady, Ava Dodd, Rory Dunne, Andrew Gavin, Francesca Federico, David Howes, Kathleen Norchi, Conall William O’Neill, Jade Phoenix, Sarah Richmond, Sarah Shine and Vladimir-Mihai Sima.