Wexford Festival Opera

In 2009, the programme included Donizetti's Maria Padilla, Corigliano's The Ghost of Versailles, and Nino Rota's Il Cappello di Paglia di Firenze (The Florentine Straw Hat).

It all began with the Wexford Opera Study Group in 1950, when like-minded opera buffs would meet and listen to opera records on the gramophone. During one such meeting, writer and record enthusiast Compton Mackenzie exhorted them to set about putting on live performances of the operas they so enjoyed. Dr "Tom" Walsh, a member of the circle, took charge with the aim of giving audiences "not quite what they wanted but what they might like". When the group produced the Rose of Castille, local audiences clamoured for more, and they haven't stopped since.

Look at the Wexford Festival archives and you can find pieces which seem to be commonly performed nowadays - its rediscovery and resurrection of many Rossini operas in 1950s is just one example. You may have to search hard for translations and all-too-elusive recordings to gen up on the three works before you go, but you can be sure that any opera chosen will have something to recommend it!

The festival also has a reputation for discovering new talent. Mirella Freni, Graziella Sciutti, Janet Baker, Fiorenza Cossotto and Giacomo Aragall are just a few of the illustrious names Wexford has helped along the way. More recently Russian conductor Vladimir Jurowski made his name in the west at Wexford, and he is now music director of Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

In 2008, the festival moved to the new Wexford Opera House and sold a record number of tickets. During the festival there are recitals, afternoon concerts, workshops and parties as well as opera performances every evening.

When: 20 - 31 Oct 2010

Where: 49 North Main Street, Wexford, Ireland

From: whatsonwhen.com