ORFEO 2022 BVOF

Orfeo ed Euridice – Highlights 2022

Gluck’s popular opera Orfeo ed Euridice was the headline event over four evenings from June 1 – 5, 2022 at Lismore Castle, the heart of the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. It is one of the most popular works by renowned composer Gluck, first performed in Vienna in 1762. This love story is based on the myth of Orpheus, a demigod with a talent for music. When his bride Euridice dies, he seeks her soul in the underworld.
 
 Orfeo ed Euridice was directed by David Bolger and conducted by Peter Whelan – one of the most sought-after young directors in the world. The opera featured a fantastic cast, including rising star Wexford soprano Kelli-Ann Masterson, Meili Li, the first Chinese countertenor to have an international career, Irish lyric-coloratura soprano Aoife Gibney, who has performed leading roles on various stages in Europe, and rising stars from the outstanding Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Chorus. This Orfeo highlights video showcases our 2022 opera, which featured new artistic collaborations with the acclaimed Irish Baroque Orchestra, and dancers from the award-winning CoisCéim Dance Theatre.
 
In 2022, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival welcomed more than 4,200 visitors to 19 events over seven days – with opera, concerts, recitals, education programmes and dining. Thank you to all of our performers, musicians, audiences and supporters!
 
ORFEO ed EURIDICE CAST
Orfeo – Meili Li Euridice – Aoife Gibney Amor – Kelli-Ann Masterson Chorus – Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Sopranos – Hannah Barrett | Tara McDermott | Blathnaid Nicholson Mezzos – Aine Cassidy | Fidelma Kelly Tenors – Keith Matthews | Oisín Ó Dálaigh | Stephen Walker Basses – Eoin Foran | David Mulhall | Fionn Ó hAlmhain Dancers – Salma Ataya | Vitor Bassi | Justine Cooper | Mia DiChiaro | Jonathan Mitchell | Alex O’Neill | Donking Rongavilla | Rosie Stebbing Gatekeepers – Mya Morrissey | Daria Falcaru
 
ORCHESTRAL
Orchestra – Irish Baroque Orchestra Violin 1 – Claire Duff | Nicola Cleary | Leonie CurtinViolin 2 – Silvia Schweinberger | Rachael Masterson Viola – Elitsa Bogdanova | Martha Campbell Cello – Norah O’Leary | Alina Mayer-Whitla Double Bass – Alex Felle Flute – Elisabeth Vogel | Dora Ombodi Oboe – Alexandra Bellamy | Hilary Stock Horn – Patrick Broderick | Kate Goldsmith Trumpet – Nicholas Emmerson Timpani | Richard O’Donnell Harp – Siobhan Armstrong
 
CREATIVE TEAM
Artistic Director – Dieter KaegiConductor – Peter Whelan Director & Choreographer – David Bolger Set & Costume Design – Maree Kearns Lighting Design – Eamon Fox Wigs, Hair & MakeUp – Maeve Readman Chorus Director | Repetiteur – Mairead Hurley
 
CREATIVE PARTNERS
CoisCéim Dance Theatre CEO – Bridget Webster | General Manager – Sarah Latty Irish Baroque Orchestra CEO – Aliye Cornish Moore | Orchestral Manager – Doireann Kelly
 
Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival will return next year from May 30 – June 5. Save the date! www.blackwatervalleyoperafestival.com
 
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is a living, breathing opera and classical music experience – made possible with the support grants from Arts Council Ireland, Waterford City Council Waterford County Council, Waterford Leader Partnership CLG, and Fáilte Ireland. The festival’s lead sponsors are Kildare Village, Marsh, AIB and the John Pollard Foundation.
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival, joyfully engaging audiences through a creative and imaginative programme of opera and classical music along the beautiful Blackwater Valley. The festival showcases emerging Irish talent alongside established international artists and delivers memorable and inspirational experiences which enrich the cultural life of the region.

🎬 Orfeo Highlights Video by Gansee Films