Blackwater Valley Opera Festival hits new high notes for 2022
The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF), Ireland’s unmissable summer opera festival, is returning on a high note for seven magical days from May 31st to June 6th.
The festival, which attracts more than 3,000 people to Waterford and the Blackwater Valley region each year, has embarked on an even bigger celebration of opera, classical music and the arts than ever before.
Selected as the flagship festival for Waterford in 2022, it is the only festival of its kind making opera and classical music accessible to everyone in the region and is also a key driver of regional tourism.
Artistic Director Dieter Kaegi has developed a creative and imaginative programme for all to enjoy during its 13th season. BVOF will showcase emerging Irish talent alongside established international artists to bring opera to life in a variety of unique and stunning locations like Lismore Castle, Salterbridge House, St Carthage’s Cathedral, Villierstown Church and Tourin House along the beautiful Blackwater Valley.
The opera Orfeo ed Euridice is the headline event for four evening performances from June 1–5 at Lismore Castle, the heart of the festival. It is one of the most popular works by renowned composer Gluck, first performed in Vienna in 1762. The opera will be directed by David Bolger and conducted by Peter Whelan - one of the most sought-after young directors in the world.
Other 2022 programme highlights include a series of unmissable concerts at the breath taking Dromore Yard in West Waterford, featuring Maurice Steger and Friends.
A series of four free Open Air Lunchtime recitals will be presented for the enjoyment of communities in Lismore, Fermoy, Youghal and Dungarvan. Advance booking is necessary on the festival website.
ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
Opera Festival Director, Eamonn Carroll expressed his excitement ahead of the summer event series.
“Festivals have been notably absent for the past two years, so we feel there is an enhanced appetite this summer for arts and musical experiences. We are thrilled to be able to offer a fun, high quality, and accessible programme for all to enjoy. If you already know and love opera, you will be blown away by the quality of talent this year”.
One of the many special things about the BVOF is the uniqueness of its performance venues which include Lismore Castle & Gardens and St Carthage’s Cathedral. Dining and hospitality will further amplify the festival experience with pre-opera formal dinner options and gourmet picnics in the grounds of Lismore Castle by Eunice Power.
New for 2022, is a ‘Discover Singing’ programme, in conjunction with Music Generation Waterford, for local primary schools. This is in addition to the existing 'Discover Opera' education programme trail for schools, which began in 2021, and the free Opera Dress Rehearsal production for second-level school groups, which takes place on Tuesday 31st May at 8pm.
BURSARY
BVOF and the Royal Irish Academy of Music have also announced a transformative new music prize to support the studies of two master’s students every year at Ireland's National Music Conservatoire. The largest bursary of its kind in Ireland, the BVOF/ RIAM Next Generation Awards will select one vocal studies student and one instrumental student annually to receive €20,000 per student. This new award will assist each winner to complete their two-year master’s in music performance programme at the RIAM.
Kildare Village has been announced as the fashion retail sponsor for 2022.
BOOKING
The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is a living, breathing opera and classical music experience – made possible with the support grants from The Arts Council, Waterford City & County Council, Waterford LEADER and Faílte Ireland. The festival’s lead sponsors are Kildare Village, Marsh, AIB and the John Pollard Foundation.
Tickets are now available online at www.blackwatervalleyoperafestival. com