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25/04/2024. FREE REPRO. Pictured are Shauna McCullough,

Sell-out festival on the horizon for BVOF 2024

Excitement at the local launch of BVOF 2024 at Lismore Heritage Centre on April 25, 2024. This year’s Blackwater Valley Opera Festival kicked off with a vibrant event, attended by dignitaries, business leaders, and community members, celebrating the 2024 programme of Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival. The launch showcased talented young musicians from the BVOF Education Programme, featuring stellar performances by the Music Generation Waterford Flute Quartet and the Carriglea National School 4th Class. 
 

With one month to go, preparations for Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival are well underway for the 22 festival events which will take place at 11 venues from 27 May – 3 June. The BVOF 2024 Recital Programme returns to some incredible historic homes and venues throughout the Blackwater Valley. Additionally, BVOF will support 10 artists and performers through Bursary Award Programmes valued at €40,000. Free BVOF Open Air recitals will pop up in Lismore, Dungarvan, Youghal and Castlemartyr – the perfect way to enjoy classical and operatic music in a welcoming and relaxed environment. For food enthusiasts, there will be excellent dining options, including celebrity chef Eunice Power’s Giulio Cesare menu and Gourmet Table Picnics from Eamo & Ró, plus lunchtime recital packages at The Saucy Hen Villierstown, Barron’s Coffee House Cappoquin, and Fuller’s Bistro Lismore.

BVOF Festival Director Eamonn Carroll spoke of the festival’s growing community impact.
“This year’s festival features a spectacular lineup from Ireland and beyond, bringing world-class performances over eight days to the Southeast. More than 2,000 local school children and students will take part in our educational programmes, including a special Opera Dress Rehearsal at Lismore Castle. The Festival Launch on Tuesday 28th May (Millennium Park Lismore) will host a choir performance by 150 local school children, in partnership with Music Generation Waterford, and members of the BVOF Chorus, showcasing our commitment to making opera and classical music accessible to all.”

With 90% of tickets sold for this year’s festival, there are a limited opera tickets on Friday and Sunday available for Giulio Cesare at Lismore Castle, festival recitals, and concerts at Dromore Yard – Of Emperors, Kings, and Queens, and the Clara Haskil Piano Competition Concert. Book at blackwatervalleyopera.ie or call the Box Office on 087 4079250.

The Big Tickets (Opera)
Weds 29 May (SOLD OUT) Fri 31 May (Ltd tickets) Sat 1 June (SOLD OUT) Sun 2 June (Ltd tickets)
G.F. Handel – Giulio Cesare
Tickets €75-€220 Lismore Castle Waterford

The Dromore Yard Concerts
Of Emperors, Kings, and Queens Thurs 30 May
Clara Haskil Piano Competition Concert Sun 2 June
Antonio Vivaldi Concert Mon 3 June (SOLD OUT)
Tickets €25-€60. Dromore Yard, Aglish, Co. Waterford

Recitals for The Classical Music Lovers
From 28 May – 2 June 2024
Venues in Youghal, Lismore, Cappoquin, Villierstown, Stradbally.
Tickets €25 / €10 Concessions / Limited Free Tickets

The 2024 Free Shows
BVOF Free Open-Air Lunchtime Recitals – Lismore, Youghal, Dungarvan and Castlemartyr
28 and 31 May, 1 and 2 June Tickets FREE. Booking is essential to secure seating.

For The Foodie Lovers
Giulio Cesare menu by Eunice Power – Fri 31 May and Sun 2 June (Ltd 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 & 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.

📷 Patrick Browne