Nominations open for best opera volunteer award

NOMINATIONS are currently being accepted for the 2017 Ecclesiastical/ Wexford Festival Opera Volunteer of the Year Award which recognises the contribution of people who give their time freely to ensuring the success of the town’s international opera event.

Volunteers have been the life blood of the festival for decades- they not only founded it 65 years ago but have been fundamental in its continued success ever since.

Anyone can nominate a Festival Opera Volunteer and patrons are especially encouraged to particpate in the nomination process.

The name of the 2016 recipient will be announced on Monday, October 16, before the first public dress rehearsal of Medea by Luigi Cherubini.

The festival’s more than 300 volunteers live locally, nationally and even internationally and are drawn from all age groups, backgrounds and professions.

They generously give their time and energy to all aspects of the Festival including front-of-house, bars, cloakroom, patron care, backstage, wardrobe, and artist transportation.

Nominees must have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to Wexford Festival Opera. This could have been either by volunteering during the festival itself or at any time throughout the year, to enhance, promote, fundraise for and/or develop Wexford Festival Opera as an organisation and as an event.

To submit a nomination, visit http://www.wexfordopera.com/aboutus/volunteer-award. Nomination forms can also be picked up from the box-office at the National Opera House. The closing date for online and written nominations is Friday, September 29.

Festival chairman Ger Lawlor, a long-time volunteer himself, said volunteers play an important role in the success of the event.

‘I would encourage our volunteers, patrons and the people of Wexford to nominate volunteers for this unique award,’ he said.

Ecclesiastical Insurance, sponsor of the award, is Ireland’s leading specialist insurance company serving the education, faith, heritage and charity sectors.

The company donates a significant proportion of its profits to charity, so it is fitting that it is associated with the award, according to the chairman.

The 66th Wexford Festival Opera is supported by grants from the Arts Council, Wexford County Council and Fáilte Ireland/Ireland’s Ancient East