THE 69TH FESTIVAL 11–18 OCTOBER, 2020

WAITING FOR...

the festival IN THE AIR FUNDERS AND SPONSORS

Principal Funder

Grant Funders

Streaming and Broadcast Partners

Corporate Leaders

Corporate Sponsors

Official IT & Communication Partner

Community & Education Partners

Accommodation Partners

Media & Hospitality Partners WELCOME Click below for a video welcome from Wexford Festival ’s Artistic Director ROSETTA CUCCHI

FUNDERS PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE (1792–1868) NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE | SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER | 20:00 GMT + 1

Rossini’s final composition CREATIVE TEAM before his death, and one of Conductor . . . . Kenneth Montgomery the finest examples of a solemn First Pianist . . . .Finghin Collins mass. Petite messe solennelle Second Pianist . . . Santoro is considered one of the most Harmonium . . . .Andrew Synnott remarkable compositions of his CAST entire career, demonstrated by Soprano . . . . . Claudia Boyle his use of beautiful, memorable Mezzo-soprano . . Tara Erraught melodies and rhythmic vitality. ...... Pietro Adaíni Capturing the glorious acoustics Bass ...... John Molloy of the National Opera House, Chorus ...... Wexford Factory Ensemble Rossini’s magnificent piece will be performed on the stage in This performance is dedicated to the memory of the victims its original version with two of the COVID-19 pandemic. pianos, harmonium, four soloists and chorus. Also broadcast live on RTÉ lyric fm

ONLINE FREE-TO-VIEW ON RTE.IE/CULTURE IN COLLABORATION WITH RTÉ PRODUCTION SPONSOR PERFORMANCE SPONSOR

FALSTAFF CHRONICLES SIX EPISODES FROM FALSTAFF BY (1813–1901) NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE | 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 OCTOBER | 18:00 GMT + 1

The plays of William Shakespeare CREATIVE TEAM Music Director . . . were the 17th century equivalent Carmen Santoro JEWELLERY SPONSOR to the modern-day soap-, Director . . . . . Roberto Recchia Designer . . . . . which are watched daily to hear Serena Treppiedi Lighting Designer . Eoin McNinch tell of the latest scandal. Giuseppe Verdi was inspired to write his CAST final opera Falstaff, based on one Sir John Falstaff Rory Dunne (12, 15, 16 Oct.) of Shakespeare’s most beloved David Howes (13, 14, 17 Oct.) Ford ...... characters, when he was nearly Gianni Giuga Alice Ford . . . . . Francesca Federico (15, 17 Oct.) 80 years of age. The members of ...... Jade Phoenix (13, 16 Oct.) the Wexford Factory will perform Nannetta . . . . .Kathleen Norchi (15, 1 Oct.) a six-part mini-series rendition of Sarah Shine (13, 16 Oct.) Verdi’s masterpiece Falstaff over Meg Page . . . . Sarah Richmond six consecutive days. Follow the Mistress Quickly . . Anna Brady chronicles of the fat knight, Sir Fenton ...... Andrew Gavin John Falstaff, as he attempts to Dr Caius . . . . . Conor Prendiville seduce two married women in Bardolfo . . . . . Vladimir-Mihai Sima Pistola ...... an effort to gain access to their Conall William O’Neill husbands’ wealth. Sung in Italian Sung in Italian with English subtitles.

ONLINE FREE-TO-VIEW ON RTE.IE/CULTURE IN COLLABORATION WITH RTÉ IMPOSSIBLE INTERVIEWS MONDAY, 12 OCTOBER | WEDNESDAY, 14 OCTOBER | FRIDAY, 16 OCTOBER | 15:00 GMT + 1

Michael Dervan, music critic and Irish Times contributor, meets up with three ground-breaking international artists to discuss the past, present and future of opera.

Ermonela Jaho, soprano Graham Vick, director Sir Antonio Pappano, conductor Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho Graham Vick is the Artistic Director One of today’s most sought- made her Wexford debut in 2000 of Birmingham Opera Company after conductors, acclaimed for in Tchaikovsky’s Orleanskaya deva and works in the world’s major his charismatic leadership and and returned in 2001 and 2002 opera houses with many leading inspirational performances in to perform in Massenet’s Sapho conductors. His pioneering work both symphonic and operatic and Auber’s Manon Lescaut, in Birmingham has attracted repertoire, Sir Antonio Pappano respectively. She was described in the attention of people and has been Music Director of the The Economist as the world’s most companies worldwide and is now Covent acclaimed soprano. seen to be at the forefront of the Garden since 2002, and Music modernisation of opera and a Director of the Orchestra pioneer in its development as a dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa 21st-century art form. Cecilia in Rome since 2005.

ONLINE FREE-TO-VIEW ON THE WFO YOUTUBE CHANNEL

PERFORMANCE SPONSOR

DINNER TIME RECITAL – CELINE BYRNE NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE | MONDAY, 12 OCTOBER | 20:00 GMT + 1

Irish soprano Celine Byrne will Opera amongst others. She has Accompanied at the piano by Rosetta perform in a very special dinner also performed in concert with Cucchi, Celine Byrne will sing: Song time recital from the stage of the world-renowned José to the Moon (Dvořák), Ich Bin Der National Opera House. Celine Carreras, Roberto Alagna and Welt Abhanden Gekommen (Mahler), is very familiar to both Irish and Joseph Calleja. Celine Byrne has Ebben? Ne andrò lontana (Catalani), Cäcilie and Morgen! (R. Strauss), international audiences having been one of the internationally Sì. Mi chiamano Mimì (Puccini), My performed with Irish National renowned masterclass tutors Lagan Love (MacCathmhaoil), The Opera, Royal Opera House, who have mentored the thirteen Last Rose of Summer (Moore), Vissi Covent Garden, Israeli Opera in young talented Irish singers d’arte (Puccini), Non ti scrodar di me Tel Aviv, Mikhailovsky Opera, St. selected for the inaugural Wexford (De Curtis), I could have danced all Petersburg, Deutsche Oper am Factory, which took place from night (Loewe / Lerner) Rhein, Düsseldorf and Minnesota 5–15 September.

JEWELLERY SPONSOR

Also broadcast live on RTÉ lyric fm

ONLINE FREE-TO-VIEW ON RTE.IE/CULTURE IN COLLABORATION WITH RTÉ PRODUCTION SPONSOR

WHAT HAPPENED TO LUCRECE A new opera commissioned by WFO based on The Rape of Lucrece by William Shakespeare composed by Andrew Synnott – Artist-in-Residence WFO 2020 Libretto by Alessandra Binucci and Rosetta Cucchi TUESDAY, 13 OCTOBER | WEDNESDAY, 14 OCTOBER | THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER | 20:00 GMT + 1

Composer and Artist-in-Residence, CREATIVE TEAM Andrew Synnott’s new opera, Conductor . . . . Andrew Synnott commissioned by WFO, is based First Pianist . . . .Giorgio D’Alonzo on the Shakespeare narrative Director/Designer . Rosetta Cucchi JEWELLERY SPONSOR poem, The Rape of Lucrece, about Assistant Director . Stefania Panighini the legendary Roman noblewoman Lighting Designer . Eoin McNinch Lucretia. Under the direction of CAST Rosetta Cucchi, What happened to Lucrece . . . . . Sarah Richmond, mezzo-soprano Lucrece is written for four singers Sextus ...... Rory Musgrave, and piano, and will be performed Fran ...... Sarah Shine, soprano on three separate evenings. Each Collatine . . . . .Kathleen Norchi, soprano performance will have a different ending: one tragic, one farcical and one romantic. Viewers are invited to vote on their preferred ending. Sung in English with English subtitles.

ONLINE FREE-TO-VIEW ON RTE.IE/CULTURE IN COLLABORATION WITH RTÉ DR TOM WALSH LECTURES TUESDAY, 13 OCTOBER | THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER | 15:00 GMT + 1

This year there will be two Dr Tom The first lecture, on Tuesday The second lecture will be a Walsh Lectures. The first will be October 13th , will feature Luigi conversation with Clara Hamer, a conversation around the the Ferrari, who served as artistic Feargal Hynes and Jack Furness, theme of this Festival (Waiting for director of Wexford Festival Opera all of whom are closely connected Shakespeare...), while the second from 1995–2004. with the Festival. will be more focused on the He will answer to Roberto Festival itself. Recchia’s questions about the close relationship between Shakespeare, Verdi and Boito: Verdi+Boito=Shakespeare!

ONLINE FREE-TO-VIEW ON THE WFO YOUTUBE CHANNEL PRODUCTION SPONSOR

GALA CONCERT – REMOTE VOICES FRIDAY, 16 OCTOBER | 20:00 GMT + 1

This year’s Gala Concert will be FEATURED SINGERS* presented by Marty Whelan, one Aigul Akhmetshina, mezzo-soprano Sophie Gordeladze, soprano of Ireland’s most popular radio Nicola Alaimo, baritone Ermonela Jaho, soprano and television personalities, Simone Alberghini, bass-baritone Leon Kim, baritone and by our Artistic Director Daniela Barcellona, mezzo-soprano Alessandro Luongo, baritone Rosetta Cucchi. It will feature Paolo Bordogna, baritone Raffaella Lupinacci, mezzo-soprano performances from some of the Joseph Calleja, tenor Paula Murrihy, mezzo-soprano most famous and outstanding Roberto De Candia, baritone Angela Meade, soprano stars from the opera world, all of Helena Dix, soprano Sergey Romanovsky, tenor whom have appeared at Wexford Anne Sophie Duprels, soprano Luca Salsi, baritone Festival. WFO has historically Juan Diego Flórez, tenor Levy Sekgapane, tenor served as a springboard for Giuliana Gianfaldoni, soprano Mariangela Sicilia, soprano many young singers onto the Igor Golovatenko, baritone Nora Sourouzian, mezzo-soprano international stage and while they Dmitry Golovnin, tenor Noah Stewart, tenor have gone on to lofty careers, *Singers subject to change. it has always remained in their hearts. It is with great pleasure that we welcome them back to perform for you once again – from their homes to yours.

ONLINE FREE-TO-VIEW ON RTE.IE/CULTURE IN COLLABORATION WITH RTÉ PERFORMANCE SPONSOR KINDLY SPONSORED BY

CLAUDIA BOYLE & PIETRO ADAINI with the Wexford Festival Orchestra Francesco Cilluffo, conductor

NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE | SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER | 20:00 GMT + 1

Irish soprano Claudia Boyle and Claudia Boyle, whose international Conductor Francesco Cilluffo is best Sicilian tenor Pietro Adaini join the career has grown from strength remembered by Wexford audiences Wexford Festival Orchestra and to strength, has previously for leading the critically‑acclaimed conductor Francesco Cilluffo live performed with the Festival as operas: Guglielmo Ratcliff from the stage of the National Opera Elena in Il cappello di paglia di (Mascagni, 2015), Risurrezione House to deliver this very special Firenze by N. Rota (2013) and as (Alfano, 2017), and most recently closing night concert of opera Célimène in La Cour de Célimène the double‑bill of L’oracolo/Mala favourites. by A. Thomas (2011). vita (Leoni/Giordano, 2018). The programme includes: Una furtiva The young Sicilian tenor Pietro La Stampa named Francesco lagrima (L’elisir d’amore), Regnava nel Adaini makes his debut with silenzio (), O luce as one of the top young Italian Wexford Festival Opera but has di quest’anima (Linda di Chamounix), Sì, conductors on the international ritrovarla io giuro (), Je already made quite an impression circuit today. veux vivre from (Roméo et Juliette), Ah, on the operatic stage in and mes amis! (La Fille du Régiment) and È beyond with repertoire. il sol dell’anima (Rigoletto), plus three symphonies from Balfe’s Falstaff, Bellini’s and Donizetti’s . Also broadcast live on RTÉ lyric fm

ONLINE FREE-TO-VIEW ON RTE.IE/CULTURE IN COLLABORATION WITH RTÉ THE POP-UP EVENTS ARE KINDLY SUPPORTED BY OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER

WFO 2.0 – POP-UP EVENTS VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN WEXFORD TOWN SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER – SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER | 12:00 & 14:00 GMT + 1

For those feeling (National of Wexford, making it more Please note: the Community Pop- Opera) House-bound, a series accessible and inviting for new up events due to take place in various shops and businesses in Wexford of pop-up events comprising and diverse audiences. Each day town, will still go ahead though they multidisciplinary performances will feature a different ‘pop-up’ will be performed behind closed featuring music, drama, singing event in a different location in doors with no public in attendance and dance, will be performed in Wexford town. All pop-up events and will be available to watch exclusively through the Festival’s non-traditional settings around will be streamed on Facebook live Facebook page. Wexford town. This exciting new each day on the Wexford Festival initiative is designed to bring the Opera page and will be available Festival back into the community on the WFO Youtube Channel.

PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Facebook Live: Wexford Festival Opera

Free-to-view online on WFO YOUTUBE CHANNEL

STREAMED LIVE ON FACEBOOK AND AVAILABLE FREE-TO-VIEW ON YOUTUBE FESTIVAL CALENDAR 69th WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA 11-18 OCTOBER 2020

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER 12 & 2 pm WFO 2.0 Pop-up Event 12 & 2 pm WFO 2.0 Pop-up Event 8 pm Petite messe solennelle 3 pm Dr Tom Walsh Lecture #2: Clara Hamer, Feargal Hynes, MONDAY 12 OCTOBER Jack Furness 12 & 2 pm WFO 2.0 Pop-up Event 6 pm Falstaff Chronicles, Episode #4 3 pm Impossible Interviews – 8 pm What Happened to Lucrece Ermonela Jaho Finale #3 6 pm Falstaff Chronicles, Episode #1 FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 8 pm Dinner Time Recital, Celine Byrne 12 pm WFO 2.0 Pop-up Event

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 3 pm Impossible Interviews – Antonio Pappano 12 pm WFO 2.0 Pop-up Event 6 pm Falstaff Chronicles, Episode #5 3 pm Dr Tom Walsh Lecture #1: Luigi Ferrari 8 pm WFO Gala Concert 6 pm Falstaff Chronicles, Episode #2 SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 8 pm What Happened to Lucrece Finale #1 12 & 2 pm WFO 2.0 Pop-up Event 6 pm Falstaff Chronicles, Episode #6 WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER 12 & 2 pm WFO 2.0 Pop-up Event SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER 3 pm Impossible Interviews – 12 pm WFO 2.0 Pop-up Event Graham Vick 8 pm Claudia Boyle & Pietro Adaini 6 pm Falstaff Chronicles, Episode #3 in Concert with Orchestra 8 pm What Happened to Lucrece 10 pm Auld Lang Syne Finale #2

This year’s Festival will be available for audiences to enjoy for free from the comfort and safety of their own homes either: - via RTÉ Culture, and a live broadcast on RTÉ lyric fm. - via RTÉ Culture. - or on Wexford Festival Opera’s YouTube Channel. PHOTO: SHELDON BAXTER

The National Opera House patron Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland

High Street, Wexford, Y35 FEP3, Ireland president Sir David Davies

Tel: +353 53 912 2400 chairwoman Dr Mary Kelly

Box Office: +353 53 912 2144 artistic director Rosetta Cucchi

Callsave: 1850 4 OPERA chief executive David McLoughlin [email protected] Wexfordopera.com

ONLINE FREE-TO-VIEW FESTIVAL IN ASSOCIATION WITH

THE 69TH WFO IS KINDLY SUPPORTED BY

F t™y Join the Conversation #WFO2020