Don Quichotte produces a thrilling spectacle in Wexford

Wexford Festival Opera opened its 68th season in sparkling form, and that’s not just for its traditional fireworks display, but the festival opener itself. Don Quichotte by French composer Jules Massenet proved itself an opera of quality that positively bristled with sumptuous music, superb singing and thrilling spectacle. Yes, it’s sentimental in old French opera tradition, but who cares – the opening night audience certainly didn’t.

The starburst finale scene, as the delusional ...