Recital Performances
Recitals 2026 – Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival
Our 2026 Recitals Series will take place at Ballynatray House, Salterbridge House, St Carthage’s Cathedral, Villierstown Church, Tourin House, and Woodhouse Estate Stradbally. The annual programme of BVOF open air lunchtime recitals will once again be extended free of charge to local communities in the towns of Lismore, Dungarvan, Youghal, and Castlemartyr.
BVOF Open Air: Lismore, Dungarvan, Youghal, Castlemartyr - 12pm
This year, we continue our pop-up programme of free open air recitals. This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some highlights of the classical and operatic repertoire in a less formal way. We present these free open air 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 artists from this year’s Blackwater Valley Opera Festival.
To celebrate our 2026 festival, we are continuing to offer our free BVOF Open Air recitals across both Cork and Waterford counties – in Youghal, Castlemartyr, Lismore and Dungarvan. Attendance is free of charge. Pre-booking essential.
The BVOF Open Air recitals are kindly supported by both Cork County Council and Waterford City and County Council.
DATES & TIMES:
LISMORE: Millennium Park – Tuesday 26 May at 12pm
DUNGARVAN: Walton Park – Friday 29 May at 12pm
YOUGHAL: Green Park – Saturday 30 May at 12pm
CASTLEMARTYR: Castlemartyr Resort – Monday 1 June at 12pm
Through her Eyes: Love and Loss Recital - Wednesday 27 May - 1pm
DATE & TIME: Wednesday 27 May at 1pm
VENUE: Tourin House, Cappoquin
ARTISTS: Gemma Ní Bhriain – mezzo-soprano and Maire Carroll – piano.
TICKET PRICES: €30. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
BVOF Chorus Recital - Thursday 28 May - 1pm
DATE & TIME: Thursday 28 May at 1pm
VENUE: Villierstown Church, Villierstown
ARTISTS: With artists from the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Chorus 2026: Alba Clarke Gosalvez, Anastasia Sereda, Bláthnaid Nicholson, Callum Jeacle, Edward Finnegan, Felix Elkehag, Hedwig Hauskeller, Jack Morrissey, Luke Horner, Yasmin O’Reilly, Rachel Reid and Robin Pender.
TICKET PRICES: €30 / Limited €15 concession. Unallocated seating (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
DINING RECITAL PACKAGE: The Saucy Hen Villierstown 2-Course Lunch + Recital Ticket €50.00 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Cushendall: Irish Song Cycles – Charles Villiers Stanford - Thursday 28 May - 4pm
DATE & TIME: Thursday 28 May at 4pm
VENUE: Villierstown Church, Villierstown
ARTISTS: Sharon Carty – mezzo-soprano, Benjamin Russell – baritone, and Finghin Collins – piano.
TICKET PRICES: €30/ Limited €15 concession. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
DINING RECITAL PACKAGE: The Saucy Hen Villierstown 2-Course Lunch + Recital Ticket €50.00 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Tara Erraught: Arias and Lieder Recital - Thursday 28 May - 6pm
DATE & TIME: Thursday 28 May at 6pm
VENUE: Ballynatray House, Youghal
ARTISTS: Tara Erraught – mezzo-soprano and Dearbhla Collins – piano.
TICKET PRICES: €60 – €100. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order). Please note that ticket purchases are limited to two per customer.
Irish Heritage Recital - Friday 29 May - 12pm
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 2026.
This award is made possible by the generous support of Michael and Gianni Alen-Buckley.
DATE & TIME: Friday 29 May at 12pm
VENUE: Salterbridge House, Cappoquin
ARTISTS: With 2026 Irish Heritage Bursary Winners: Cuan Durkin, Seth Collin, Eléna Esposito.
TICKET PRICES: €30.00 Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
DINING RECITAL PACKAGE: Barron’s Coffeehouse Cappoquin 2-Course Lunch at 1.30pm + Recital Ticket €50.00 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order) SELLING FAST
BVOF Bursary Recital - Friday 29 May - 3pm
2026 BVOF Bursary Award Winners: Conor Prendiville and Dida Condria.
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: Friday 29 May at 3pm
VENUE: Salterbridge House, Cappoquin
ARTISTS: : Conor Prendiville – tenor and Dida Condria – piano.
TICKET PRICES: €30. Unallocated seating (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
DINING RECITAL PACKAGE: Barron’s Coffeehouse Cappoquin 2-Course Lunch at 1.30pm + Recital Ticket €50.00 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Irish Writers’ Series: Samuel Beckett - Saturday 30 May - 12pm
A fusion of poetry and music honouring Samuel Beckett – one of Ireland’s most influential literary figures.
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 30 May at 12pm
VENUE: St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore
ARTISTS: Gemma Ní Bhriain, Benjamin Russell, Barry McGovern, The Féinics Quartet.
TICKET PRICES: €30/ Limited €15 Concession. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Irish Salon Opera Series: The Deserted Village by John William Glover - Saturday 30 May - 3pm
Inspired by Oliver Goldsmith’s poem, this Irish opera reflects on the decline of rural life and the passing of a once-vibrant community. Its music combines Romantic lyricism with Irish melodic colour, creating a portrait of nostalgia and quiet dignity. Presented in concert form, it offers a rare glimpse into Ireland’s early operatic voice – a rarely heard gem of the nineteenth-century repertoire.
With artists from the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Chorus 2026: Alba Clarke Gosalvez, Anastasia Sereda, Bláthnaid Nicholson, Callum Jeacle, Edward Finnegan, Felix Elkehag, Hedwig Hauskeller, Jack Morrissey, Luke Horner, Maedhbh Hanafin, Rachel Reid and Robin Pender.
Date & Time: Saturday 30 May at 3.00pm
Venue: St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore
TICKET PRICES: €30. Unallocated seating (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
DINING RECITAL PACKAGE: two-course pre-opera lunch at 12.30pm at Farmgate Restaurant at 12.30pm + Recital Ticket €70.00 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
RDS Collins Memorial Recital - Sunday 31 May - 1pm
Established in 2017, the RDS Collins Memorial award is at the forefront of celebrating and supporting classical music excellence. The recital features the 2026 RDS Collins Memorial winner within the historic surrounds of St. Carthage’s Cathedral, and honours the late Michael O’Brien.
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 31 May at 1pm
VENUE: St Carthage’s Cathedral, Lismore
ARTISTS: RDS Collins Memorial Performance Award & Music Bursary winner: Jane Sullivan, RDS Jago Award winner: Senan Sheridan, soprano Anastasia Sereda, and accompanist Iain Clarke.
TICKET PRICES: €30/ Limited €15 Concession. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Mostly Mozart! - Monday 1 June - 12pm
DATE & TIME: Monday 1 June at 12pm
VENUE: Woodhouse Estate, Stradbally
ARTISTS: Aimee Kearney – soprano and Dominic Veilleux – bass-baritone
TICKET PRICES: €30. Unallocated seating (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
