Free open air recitals in Fermoy and Youghal
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF) organisers are encouraging local community groups and music lovers from around Cork to book their free tickets for open air lunchtime recitals taking place in Fermoy and Youghal.
This is a unique opportunity to experience highlights of the festival’s classical and operatic repertoire in a less formal way, enhanced by an outdoor scenic setting.
This year’s BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals in county Cork will be in Youghal Green Park on Saturday, 3rd June at 12 noon, and Fermoy Town Park on Sunday, 4th June at 12 noon. Ireland's Summer Opera Festival which runs from 29th May to 5th June, features worldclass opera, award-winning musicians, international performers, and acclaimed dance troupes who will perform in unique venues across the Blackwater Valley.
While work by Fermoy artist Gerard Harris, a member of the Cork arts collective, Blackwater Valley Makers, is being spotlighted by the festival as his digital artwork was featured as the opera cover art on this year’s programme and promotional material.
Highlights include the headline opera Verdi’s Macbeth, conducted by Killian Farrell, directed by Sarah Baxter and in artistic collaboration with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, which is set in the grounds of Lismore Castle. The concerts at Dromore Yard, a romantic, semi-restored 19th century farmyard on the banks of the River Blackwater, are also in high demand, featuring Ian Bostridge with Saskia Giorgini, Nadège Rochat and Judith Jáuregui, and Paula Murrihy with the Irish Baroque Orchestra and Peter Whelan.
Demand is high for tickets, as only a handful of seats remain for the Friday and Saturday night opera (Wednesday and Sunday sold out), while the following recitals are now completely sold out: Tales as Old as Time at Tourin House, BVOF Chorus Recital in Villierstown, Irish Heritage Bursary Recital and BVOF RIAM Next Generation Bursary Recital which are both taking place on the same day at Salterbridge House, and the Irish Songmakers Recital at Woodhouse Estate in Stradbally.
The current spell of warm weather gives the perfect setting for some exquisite fine dining options for the opera at Lismore Castle and our concerts in Dromore Yard. Chef Eunice Power is offering The MacBeth Menu - a pre-Opera Formal Dining Menu at Lismore Castle while Eamo & Ró will be offering a choice of Three Gourmet Table Picnics at Lismore Castle, and Dromore Yard. People are also welcome to pre-order to bring their own picnic to Dromore Yard, to enjoy before the concerts, and book a spot in one of the romantic, semi-restored outhouses so they can picnic in comfort.
More than 4,500 visitors are expected to attend the world-renowned classical music week, which is now in its 13th year. The festival will welcome 103 international and Irish artists, present 65+ hours of music, and deliver education outreach to an estimated 2,500 local students. And it all happens thanks to the support of 98 volunteers, 100 Friends of BVOF, and 25 sponsors, funders, and partners.
Luxury shopping destination Kildare Village is the Fashion Retail sponsor of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival for 2023, and the award-winning Waterford Whisky distillery is the new Hospitality Partner of the festival. Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is supported by grants from the Arts Council, Waterford City & County Council, and Fáilte Ireland. The festival’s lead sponsors are Kildare Village, Marsh, AIB and the John Pollard Foundation.
For more see blackwatervalleyopera.ie