Recital Performances

This year, we continue our pop-up programme of free lunchtime festival recitals. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some highlights of the classical and operatic repertoire in a less formal way. We present these recitals as an opportunity to enjoy a flavour of the festival with some beautiful music, at outdoor settings around the Blackwater Valley, with classical and opera highlights performed by members of the BVOF Chorus.

To celebrate our 2025 festival, we are continuing to offer our free BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals across both Cork and Waterford counties – into Youghal, Castlemartyr, Lismore and Dungarvan. Attendance is free of charge however pre-booking is essential in advance.

The BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals are kindly supported by both Cork County Council and Waterford City and County Council.

DATES & TIMES:

LISMORE: Millennium Park – Tuesday 27 May at 12pm

DUNGARVAN: Walton Park – Friday 30 May at 12pm

YOUGHAL: Green Park – Saturday 31 May at 12pm

CASTLEMARTYR: Castlemartyr Resort – Sunday 1 June at 1pm

 

2025 BVOF Bursary Award Winners: Aimee Kearney and Georgina Cassidy.

The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Bursary was established in 2020 through the generous support of a private benefactor. 

This award is made possible by the generous support of Conor and Mareta Doyle.

DATE & TIME: Wednesday 28 May at 1pm

VENUE: Tourin House Waterford

ARTISTS: Aimee Kearney – soprano | Georgina Cassidy – piano

TICKET PRICES: €25. Unallocated seating  (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)

Blackwater Valley Opera Festival returns to the iconic Villierstown Church – a gem in the heart of West Waterford. Join us for an afternoon of musical performances by Ireland’s emerging talent, featuring a selection of arias, duets, and ensembles.

DATE & TIME: Thursday 29 May at 1pm

VENUE: Villierstown Church, Ballingowan West

ARTISTS: Iestyn Morris – countertenor | Gemma Ní Bhriain – mezzo-soprano | Sarah Richmond – mezzo-soprano | Jakob Mahase – bass-baritone | Chris Cull – baritone |Rory Dunne – bass-baritone | Seán Tester – tenor | Massimo Modoni – bass-baritone.

TICKET PRICES: €25 / €10 Concessions. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)

A selection of some of the finest songs by various composers, inspired by the works of William Shakespeare, which have inspired composers over the centuries.

DATE & TIME: Thursday 29 May at 4pm

VENUE: Villierstown Church, Ballingowan West

ARTISTS: Conor Prendiville – tenor | Sarah Richmond mezzo-soprano | Iestyn Morris – countertenor

TICKET PRICES: €25  Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)

Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has collaborated with Irish Heritage to enhance their annual Music Bursary for the Irish Heritage Award since 2017. The historic Salterbridge House will host performances by winners of the Irish Heritage Bursary 2025.

This award is made possible by the generous support of Michael and Gianni Alen-Buckley.

DATE & TIME: Friday 30 May at 12pm

VENUE: Salterbridge House, Cappoquin

ARTISTS: 2025 Irish Heritage Bursary winners

TICKET PRICES: €25. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)

BVOF | RIAM John Pollard 2025 Bursary winners:  Savannah Hilterbrandt, Remi Ludick.

Ireland’s most generous annual bursary, the BVOF | RIAM John Pollard Bursary continues to award €20,000 to two students in vocal and instrumental studies, supporting their Masters in Music Performance at RIAM.

DATE & TIME: Friday 30 May at 3pm

VENUE: Salterbridge House, Cappoquin

ARTISTS: Savannah Hilterbrandt – double bass | Remi Ludick – viola.

TICKET PRICES: €25 (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)

 

The Tinker and the Fairy by Michele Esposito is an Irish operetta that blends folk-inspired melodies with classical composition. First performed in 1910, it captures the spirit of Irish folklore through music and narrative, highlighting Esposito’s contribution to Irish musical heritage.

DATE & TIME: Saturday 31 May at 12pm

VENUE: St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore

ARTISTS:  Amy Hewitt – soprano | Rory Dunne – baritone

TICKET PRICES: €25. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)

A fusion of poetry and music performed by some of RIAM’s distinguished students and alumni, honouring George Bernard Shaw – one of Ireland’s most celebrated literary giants.

Limited concession tickets available for senior citizens, full-time students, unwaged and disabled visitors. Maximum 2 tickets per customer account. Proof of eligibility required. T&Cs apply.

DATE & TIME: Saturday 31 May at 3pm

VENUE: St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore

ARTISTS:  Gemma Ní Bhriain – mezzo-soprano | Seán Tester – tenor | Barry McGovern – actor | Máire Carroll – piano.

TICKET PRICES: €25 / Limited Free Concession Tickets. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)

The RDS Collins Memorial award is a performance award exclusively for past RDS Music Bursary winners. Created in 2017 thanks to the support of Michael and Loret O’Brien, the RDS Collins Memorial Performance Award is in association with the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival.

Limited concession tickets available for senior citizens, full-time students, unwaged and disabled visitors.
Maximum 2 tickets per customer account. Proof of eligibility required. T&Cs apply.

DATE & TIME: Sunday 1 June at 1pm

VENUE: St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore

ARTISTS: Adam Buttimer – tuba | Máire Carroll – piano

TICKET PRICES: €25 / Limited Free Concession Tickets. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)

 

Arias, duets, and classical favourites that capture the warmth and light of the summer season.

DATE & TIME: Monday 2 June at 3pm

VENUE: Woodhouse Estate, Stradbally

ARTISTS: Amy Ní Fhearraigh – soprano | Peter O’Reilly – tenor | Frasier Hickland – piano

TICKET PRICES: €25. Unallocated seating (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)