Classical Notes

Few laughs, but lots of drama in Wexford’s operatic wars

From thrilling soprano performances in intriguing roles to charming pop-up mini concerts in the streets, the 72nd annual Wexford Festival Opera crackled with singing talent

Claudia Boyle as Zoraida in Zoraida di Granata by Donizetti at the Wexford Festival Opera, in ‘a truly awesome performance that kept the audience riveted throughout’. Picture: Clive Barda/ArenaPAL

The traditional fireworks display crackled and sparkled over High Street highlighting the beginning of Wexford’s 72nd opera festival, but it didn’t reveal that right below in the National Opera House, all was set for a series of crackers and sparklers of a different kind. Altogether there was a litany of opera works of varying kinds and sizes on the production line for a period of nearly a fortnight.

Opera was back in town and the ...