Engage your senses at the 2024 Blackwater Valley Opera Festival

Ireland's Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is inviting you to engage your senses at the 8-day festival which takes place from 27th May to 3rd June at Lismore, Youghal, Dungarvan and Castlemartyr.

With world-class performances, bespoke dining experiences and stunning historic venues opening their doors just for the festival, unique experiences are guaranteed. This year's festival will feature an inspiring creative team, 100 international and Irish performers, 22 events, 11 venues, 5,000 visitors and more than 75 hours of live music.

The flagship opera at BVOF 2024 is Giulio Cesare by G.F. Handel, to be performed in the breath-taking grounds of Lismore Castle, Waterford. With conductor Nicholas McGegan OBE leading the Irish Baroque Orchestra and a stellar cast directed by Tom Creed, this production promises to be a truly unmissable interpretation of Handel's masterpiece.

In addition, the

BVOF 2024 Concert Series at Dromore Yard will feature incredible performances, including a bel canto operatic concert - Of Emperors, Kings and Queens - starring Serenad Uyar, Leonardo Galeazzi, and Dearbhla Collins; the Clara Haskil Piano Competition Concert presented by Finghin Collins, featuring Magdalene Ho with Marc Coppey, and the festival finale Antonio Vivaldi Concert with the Irish

Baroque Orchestra.

The BVOF 2024 Recital Programme returns to some incredible historic homes and venues throughout the Blackwater Valley, in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East. Additionally, BVOF will support 10 artists and performers through Bursary Award Programmes valued at €40,000.

For food enthusiasts, there will be excellent dining options, including celebrity TV chef free musical events are the perfect opportunity to experience classical and operatic music in a welcoming and relaxed environment.

Making opera and classical accessible to all, 2,000 local school children and students will join educational outreach programmes in partnership with Music Generation Waterford, and a special Opera Dress Rehearsal for schools at Lismore Castle. Additionally, a special performance from the Discover Singing education programme will be showcased at the Festival Launch later in May, featuring over 150 Eunice Power's Giulio local school children in

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Cesare menu at Lisa vibrant choir, alongmore Castle. Guests can side members of the also indulge in GourBVOF Chorus. met Table Picnics by Eamonn Carroll, fesaward-winning culinary tival director of Blackduo Eamo & Ró as well water Valley Opera as lunchtime recital Festival, said: “We have packages at local eatera spectacular line-up ies. of performances that

The ever-popular showcase incredible pop-up programme of talent from Ireland and free BVOF Open Air abroad. We are realLunchtime Recitals ly looking forward to returns to Waterford welcoming new festiand Cork (Lismore, val attendees and our Dungarvan, Youghal and supporters who return Castlemartyr). These year after year. Our programme has something for everyone, whether you love opera and classical music or just want a unique live music experience.

“While opera and music is at the core, the festival is about creating unique experiences, through world-class performances in a host of stunning historic venues enhanced by beautiful dining and beverage experiences, showcasing the best of local produce. We look forward to bringing the south east to life with some outstanding performances over the 8-day festival.”

THE BIG TICKETS (OPERA)

Wednesday, 29th May (sold out); Friday, 31st May (limited tickets); Saturday, 1st June (sold out); Sunday, 2nd June (limited tickets) - G.F. Handel - Giulio Cesare - tickets €75€220 Lismore Castle Waterford.

THE DROMORE YARD CONCERTS

Thursday, 30th May - Of Emperors, Kings, and Queens; Sunday, 2nd June - Clara Haskil Piano Competition Concert; Monday, 3rd June (sold out) - Antonio Vivaldi Concert - tickets €25-€60. Dromore Yard, Aglish, Co Waterford.

RECITALS FOR THE CLASSICAL MUSIC LOVERS

From 28th May – 2nd June - venues in Youghal, Lismore, Cappoquin, Villierstown, Stradbally. Tickets €25 / €10 concessions / limited free tickets.

THE 2023 FREE SHOWS

28th and 31st May, 1st and 2nd June - BVOF Free Open-Air Lunchtime Recitals – Lismore, Youghal, Dungarvan and Castlemartyr. Tickets free. Booking is essential to secure seating.

FOR THE FOODIE LOVERS

Giulio Cesare menu by Eunice Power – Friday, 31st May and Sunday, 2nd June (limited availability). Tickets €85. Lismore Castle Waterford.

Gourmet Table Picnics by Eamo & Ró. Tickets €55 Lismore Castle and Dromore Yard Waterford.

Lunchtime Recital Packages (2 course menu and recital ticket). Tickets €40 - The

Saucy Hen Villierstown, Fullers Bistro Lismore, Barron's Coffee House Cappoquin.

Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is supported by grants from the Arts Council, Waterford City & County Council, Waterford LEADER, and Fáilte Ireland. The festival’s lead sponsors are Kildare Village, Marsh, AIB and the John Pollard Foundation. Event sponsors include Castlemartyr Resort and Waterford Whisky.

Tickets for all events are selling fast with more than 80% of opera tickets already sold out - call the BVOF Box Office on 087-4079250. Visit blackwatervalleyopera.ie

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) In Ballindangan recently for the local drama group’s production of ‘Same Old Moon’, were, pictured back: Matt Coughlan, Brian Donoher and Michael Coughlan; Front: Sarah Donoher, Ella Murphy and Lydia Duffy.

(Photograph: Patrick Browne) Launching the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF) which takes place from 27 May - 3 June 2024, mezzo-soprano and BVOF Bursary 2024 winner Anna-Helena Maclachlan performing at The Apartment, Kildare Village. AnnaHelena was accompanied by Aoife Moran on piano.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Ballindangan Players’ Pat Landers (joint director) and Trevor Donoher (Michael the postman) with John O’Sullivan, who came to see the ‘Same Old Moon’ in Ballindangan Community Centre recently.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Patricia Coughlan, Fermoy, with Margaret Kiely and Liz Magnier, Glanworth, enjoying ‘Same Old Moon’ in Ballindangan Community Centre.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Kathleen and Mike Finn, Ballindangan, enjoying ‘Same Old Moon’ in Ballindangan Community Centre.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Tara O’Doherty and Niamh Landers who were ready to serve ‘the cuppa’ to all during the interval in Ballindangan Community Centre recently.