PAST PRODUCTION REVIEWS
Giulio Cesare
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Opera Now 4* REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“This was earnest, dark-hued, grown-up, even a tad low-octane – but with high musical values and strong direction.”
“Anna Devin…covered all the bases of a complicated role, all sassy confidence in taunting Tolomeo and seducing Julius, then the sudden unexpected (to her and us) access of soul when she fears he is dead.”
“Sharon Carty’s great performance, fighting with fear and indecision with concentrated, undemonstrative actorly art. Carolyn Holt handled Cornelia’s monomaniac misery sympathetically, and the smaller roles (there are no boring ones, unlike much opera seria) were absolutely central to the drama and delivered terrifically well.” “Cornelia and Sesto brought a real emotional heart to things with centred, rock-solid performances.”
"Tolomeo’s arias were delivered with increasing feline stylishness (and the raised profile of him and the smaller 'adviser' roles skewed the drama in interesting ways)…”
“McGegan’s band played with a cultured bounciness, unafraid to take things strikingly slowly in the deeper arias, the virtuoso solos admirably done.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ THEATRE NEWS 4* REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“BVOF’s Giulio Cesare delivers in spades.”
“Ingeborg Bröcheler (contralto) as Giulio Cesare commands the auditorium with her swaggering presence. Nils Wanderer (countertenor) is brilliant as Tolomeo, the Egyptian king of high camp and Machiavellian darkness. Anna Devin (soprano) as the seductive Cleopatra, Carolyn Holt (mezzo-soprano) as the grief-stricken Cornelia and Sharon Carty (mezzo-soprano) as the vengeful Sesto, likewise deliver full blooded and nuanced performances.”
“The twenty-plus arias represent a smorgasbord of contrasting emotions and dazzling technical virtuosity from all the leads, but if forced to pick just one—a real sword-at-the-head choice—it would be (Anna) Devin’s “Se pietà di me non senti,” delivered with heart-wrenching emotion.”
“The 25-strong Irish Baroque Orchestra, steered by conductor Nicholas McGegan, interprets the rhythmically lively score with equal parts brio and aching finesse.”
“Bravura performances all round, further cementing Blackwater Valley Opera Festival’s reputation as a jewel in Waterford 's cultural calendar.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ KLASSIK BEGEISTERT REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“…This performance was almost perfect. Tom Creed, one of Ireland's leading theatre and opera directors, directed the actors with precision, attention to detail and, above all, a suspenseful mix of drama and humour…nothing distracted from their acting and, above all, their vocal art."
"First-class ensemble: Among the many brilliant performances, the leading Irish soprano Anna Devin in the role of Cleopatra was the undisputed star of the evening: vocally, she effortlessly and in a crystal-clear tone scaled the breakneck coloraturas of Handel's masterpiece. The German countertenor Nils Wanderer gave Tolomeo, Cleopatra's hateful and scheming brother, not only phenomenal vocal power at dizzying heights but also dazzling humour. The duet between mother Cornelia and her "son" Sesto - sung by the celebrated Irish mezzo-sopranos Carolyn Holt and Sharon Carty - was enchanting in its harmonic perfection. The Caesar of the Dutch contralto Ingeborg Bröcheler … improved to a touching, harmonious love duet with the ravishing Cleopatra of Anna Devin."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ GOLDEN PLEC 3.5* REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Blackwater Valley Opera Festival…built on ambition and optimism, it has outdone itself this year...The idyllic pastoral haven of the (Lismore) Castle gardens, an appropriate mirror for an early drama like this.”
“Soprano Anna Devin is brilliantly playful as Cleopatra, vocally on top form and clearly enjoying the theatrical possibilities of the role, varying from a spiky, even reckless, sense of humour to sumptuous play-acting.”
“Countertenor Nils Wanderer presents a complex figure, and the childish sadism usually associated with this role is deepened here with a hint of twisted nobility, aided by Wanderer’s imposing physical presence and excellent singing.”
“Carolyn Holt movingly projects with her first aria, an affecting expression of loss, her voice matching the rich sound of the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Sharon Carty sings with keen expression and vivid fluency, and physically commits to the role with real strength and agility, a side to her work not always seen. The two combine beautifully in their duet.”
“Creed and the company show themselves very much alive to the ironies that sit alongside the darker strands of this work, and there is plenty of smart theatricality to enjoy, with the chorus put to good use as ‘rent-a-crowd’ extras for both sides of the story. It is a luxury to have a fuller-sized ensemble than is usually heard for productions of early opera here, directed superbly from the harpsichord by Nicholas McGegan.”
Macbeth
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival 2023
Orfeo ed Euridice
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival 2022
Golden Plec
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has grown but at its heart remains a short annual opera season in Lismore Castle, tucked away in the lush countryside of west Waterford… suddenly arriving in this oasis of botanical charm – the castle gardens really are amazing – is quite surreal. As well, everyone is so nice and helpful, and the catering is a delight. Why Fáilte Ireland doesn’t go nuts over this event is a mystery.
Director and choreographer David Bolger prefers a narrow palette of colours, black for mourning and the shades of hell, white for the blessed spirits, while a smattering of hats and umbrellas takes us close to the world of Magritte. The Irish Baroque Orchestra directed by Peter Whelan return to this music with evident relish, with the (uncredited) smoky tang of a chalumeau solo – as echo to Orfeo’s first-act cries for Euridice – a novel addition. (Kelli-Ann) Masterson’s excellent singing tonight confirms that she is clearly an artist to watch out for, her playful take on Amor nicely poised. From a vocal and dramatic point of view, however, the star of the show has to be Aoife Gibney. (Aoife) Gibney’s Euridice is febrile and impassioned, and her short appearance in the third act suddenly sets this drama alight. Her voice is richly expressive, scaled well for this production but clearly capable of more, and her presence also brings out a stronger performance from Li, their duet a superb moment.
After she vanishes in a pall of smoke, the ‘happy-ending’ of this version of the story brings everyone back on stage – and raises some interesting questions. Enraptured, the audience rise to their feet, charmed, entertained, and energised by the experience, before heading out into the twilit greenery.
An unforgettable evening that transported us into a different world.
Dromore Yard on the banks of the Blackwater. What a location! #BVOF2022
A stunning setting for the Irish Baroque Orchestra in Dromore Yard, as part of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival.
Everything was so well organised from the friendly welcome and supervision of the car park to all the local helpers. It was great to see so many young people involved. Thank you for such a lovely convivial evening in an exceptional setting.
Terrific recital exploring connections between Irish art song and French melodie from Irish Songmakers as part of BVOF 2022. in Waterford Bravo tutti!
Fantastic time in Lismore as BVOF kicked off in style with an amazing performance of Orfeo ed Euridice. Over 400 patrons travelled to the beautiful setting in Lismore! A quality festival that holds its own in any company!
A magical weekend …Congratulations to everyone involved on a hugely successful festival.
My first time at the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival…what a stunning location. Such clever staging. The Irish Baroque Orchestra sounded wonderful, as did the cast and BVOF Chorus. Particularly nice to see the Irish National Opera Studio alumna Kelli-Ann Masterson blow the audience away. Congrats to all on a wonderful start to the festival.
Fun to catch a snippet of the BVOF at the free open-air recital in Youghal. Singers did a charming job!
Incredible night at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival in Lismore. Won’t forget the music, dance, singing, food, venue, and company for a very long time.
A cast of so many stars to light up the night – and stage.
An unbelievable reaction to this year’s school’s performance last night Bravi Tutti!
Absolutely fantastic set up! Very impressed!
It was simply stunning and very moving. We all loved it.
Orfeo Ed Euridice @BVOF thrilled to be invited to the stunning location of @LCA_Gallery an unforgettable evening that transported us into a different world
Congratulations to Blackwater Valley Opera Festival on their fantastic production of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, a truly beautiful show!
Congratulations to the company and crew of BVOF’s Orfeo Ed Euridice on a magnificent production. Stunning movement from CoisCéim Dance Theatre, impeccable singing especially star bar Kelli-Ann Masterson! and such stylish musical direction from Peter Whelan and the Irish Baroque Orchestra. Bravo!
Another lovely venue in Lismore Co. Waterford with Blackwater Valley Opera Festival A standing ovation for Phoebe White and Ellen Jansson at St Carthage’s Cathedral.
Absolutely magical evening at #BVOF2022 Wonderful performance, excellent crew, beautiful gardens. Just perfect!
Finally made it to BVOF for the first time, to see David Bolger’s intoxicating ORFEO ED EURIDICE in the equally intoxicating surroundings of Lismore Castle. The whole thing feels like a dream.
Absolutely stunning production. In the most beautiful setting of Lismore Castle.
Friday night was my first visit to the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and I enjoyed it so much. What a wonderful performance; the principal singers were excellent especially the counter tenor Meili Li, such a beautiful sound and tender performance. I was very impressed with the choreography of the dancers and chorus.
