Recital Performances
Recitals 2025 – Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival
Our 2025 Recitals Series will take place at 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 Lunchtime Recitals - 12pm / 1pm
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 artists from this year’s Blackwater Valley Opera Festival.
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
BVOF Bursary Recital - Wednesday 28 May - 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)
Arias at Villierstown - Thursday 29 May - 1pm
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival returns to 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 | Jakob Mahase – bass-baritone | Christopher Cull – baritone |Rory Dunne – bass-baritone | Seán Tester – tenor | Massimo Modoni – bass-baritone.
TICKET PRICES: €25 / Limited €10 Concession Tickets. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
DINING RECITAL PACKAGE: The Saucy Hen Villierstown 2-Course Lunch + Recital Ticket €45 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Shakespeare in Music - Thursday 29 May - 4pm
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: Kelli-Ann Masterson | Conor Prendiville – tenor |Iestyn Morris – countertenor
TICKET PRICES: €25 Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Irish Heritage Recital - Friday 30 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 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 Recital - Friday 30 May - 3pm
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)
DINING RECITAL PACKAGE: Barron’s Coffee House Cappoquin: 2-Course Lunch + Recital Ticket €40 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Irish Salon Opera Series: The Tinker and the Fairy - Saturday 31st May - 12pm
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)
DINING RECITAL PACKAGE: The Vault Café Lismore: 2-Course Lunch + Recital Ticket €40 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Irish Writers’ Series: George Bernard Shaw - Saturday 31 May - 3pm
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 €10 Concession Tickets. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
RDS Collins Memorial Recital - Sunday 1 June - 1pm
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 €10 Concession Tickets. Unallocated seating. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
DINING RECITAL PACKAGE: The Vault Café Lismore: 2-Course Lunch + Recital Ticket €40 per person. (Ticket price excludes €3.50 booking fee per order)
Summertime - Monday 2 June - 3pm
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)
