The 75th Anniversary Wexford Festival Opera will take place from October 15–31, 2026, celebrating 75 years of extraordinary opera with the theme “The Best of: one for the head, one for the heart, one for fun”.
The 2026 festival features major operas like Iris, L’equivoco stravagante, and The Gambler, along with a special fundraising gala, “Croí na Féile,” on October 17.
Key details regarding the 75th anniversary:
- Performance Dates: October 15–31, 2026.
- Main Operas: Iris (Mascagni), L’equivoco stravagante (Rossini), and The Gambler (Prokofiev).
- Special Events: A 75th Anniversary Gala, Croí na Féile, will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, featuring world-renowned opera stars such as Joseph Calleja, Ermonela Jaho, Daniela Barcellona, and Giorgi Manoshvili.
- Commissioned Works: To mark the anniversary, the festival has commissioned two new works, including a factory opera and a community opera installation.
- Booking Information: General booking opens on May 6, 2026, with priority booking for Friends of the Festival beginning April 22.
The festival will highlight its history since 1951, focusing on its legacy of rediscovery and artistic courage, featuring many renowned artists as part of the celebration.
Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi has announced the programme for the 75th Anniversary Wexford Festival Opera. The Festival will run for 17 days, from Thursday 15 October to Saturday 31 October. It is built around the theme The Best of: one for the head, one for the heart, one for fun.
- Iris – Pietro Mascagni, 1898
- L’equivoco stravagante – Gioachino Rossini, 1811
- The Gambler – Sergei Prokofiev, 1929
All three main stage operas were performed during the Festival’s history before the building of the award-winning National Opera House in 2008. They will all appear in new productions which make full use of the superior amenities available, including space for full orchestra and chorus, in an ideal acoustic and enhanced staging facilities—together with new critical editions reflecting recent scholarship.
Speaking at the announcement of the 75th programme, WFO Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi said: “The 75th Anniversary is an incredible milestone and a very special birthday for Wexford, and for our Wexford Festival Opera family all around the world. Each opera is a rediscovery, but also a reflection of our own world, where difference can still divide us—and yet, art reminds us that empathy can always unite us.”
For further info: WFO unveils its 75th Anniversary programme for 2026
Image ©wexfordopera.com