More than 5,500 Visitors Attend Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Largest Programme to Date
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has concluded its 2026 season following its most ambitious programme to date, attracting more than 5,500 visitors to 24 events at 13 venues, for a vibrant seven‑day celebration of opera, concerts, recitals and cultural events across Waterford and Cork.
With more than 100 artists and over 75 hours of live performance, the festival brought together internationally acclaimed talent and emerging Irish artists, offering audiences unforgettable experiences in exceptional historic settings. From large‑scale opera productions to intimate recitals and free open‑air events, the festival connected communities across the Blackwater Valley through live performance.
The festival opened with the next generation of opera fans, as hundreds of local school children took part in workshops, attended rehearsals, and performed at the Opening Ceremony in Lismore. Education and outreach activity continued throughout the week, reflecting the festival’s ongoing commitment to engaging young people and widening access to opera and live performance.
This year’s headline production, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, played to sold-out audiences at Lismore Castle. Conducted by Peter Whelan and directed by Tom Creed, it featured a predominantly Irish cast alongside the Irish Baroque Orchestra, the production combined comedy, danger and psychological drama across four performances. At St Carthage’s Cathedral, Handel’s Acis and Galatea offered audiences an atmospheric after-dark opera experience, with lighting and projection transforming the cathedral interior. Audiences also attended an In Conversation: Don Giovanni event, offering deeper insight into the headline opera by key members of the creative team.
A standout moment of the week-long festival was When Forests Sing, a new wordless opera by Cork composer Karen Power, bringing together professional musicians, performers living with disabilities, RIAM students and local young people. Combining live performance with field recordings and immersive sound, it created a collaborative and inclusive theatrical experience.
At Dromore Yard, audiences enjoyed standout performances by Dearbhla Collins and Finghin Collins, Niamh O’Sullivan with Gary Beecher, and international artists including Magdalene Ho, Pierre Génisson and Elias David Moncado.
Across heritage homes and venues including Villierstown Church, Tourin House, Ballynatray House, Salterbridge House, Woodhouse Estate and St Carthage’s Cathedral, audiences also experienced a wider programme of recitals and music throughout festival week, including the Irish Writers’ Series: Samuel Beckett and the Irish Salon Opera Series: The Deserted Village.
The festival’s Bursary Awards Programme continued in 2026, supporting ten emerging artists with €50,000 in funding, Featured artists included Conor Prendiville, Dida Condria, Cuan Durkin, Seth Collin, Eléna Esposito, and Jane Sullivan.
Young and old enjoyed the free Open‑Air Lunchtime Recitals in outdoor settings across Lismore, Dungarvan, Youghal and Castlemartyr. Festivalgoers also enjoyed a curated food programme, with dining experiences and local collaborations highlighting the South East’s produce.
Young and old enjoyed the free Open-Air Lunchtime Recitals in Lismore, Dungarvan, Youghal and Castlemartyr, attracting audiences of all ages to relaxed daytime performances in outdoor settings. Alongside the artistic programme, visitors also engaged with a curated food offering featuring regional producers, dining collaborations and pre-performance hospitality experiences throughout festival week.
Community participation remained central to the festival, as it introduced the inaugural BVOF Castleacre Volunteer Recognition Award, recognising the contribution and commitment of volunteers. Sponsored by Castleacre Insurance, the award was presented during the festival’s Opening Ceremony in Lismore.
Eamonn Carroll, Festival Director, said: “This year’s festival marked a significant moment in our continued growth, from sold‑out performances at Lismore Castle to the creativity of When Forests Sing. What stood out was the sense of connection between artists, audiences and communities. We are deeply grateful to our volunteers, sponsors and public funders, who are integral to our festival.”
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival returns from 1 – 7 June 2027 with a double bill of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, alongside concerts and recitals across the region. Priority booking opens in November 2026 for Friends of BVOF members, offering advance access to opera tickets and festival events, ahead of general release in January 2027.
