THE Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF) is committed to bringing opera to everyone with its accessible and imaginative programme of events. Between May 29 to June 5, anyone with a curiosity about opera can enjoy 21 events at 12 amazing venues across the stunning Blackwater Valley.
The festival’s school programmes, ‘Discover Opera’ and ‘Discover Singing’, are set to inspire young minds with exciting workshops and a night at the opera, while the Open Air Lunchtime Recitals offer eight-month-olds to octogenarians the chance to enjoy beautiful music for free in an outdoor setting.
The festival’s four free Open Air Lunchtime Recitals in Youghal, Fermoy, Lismore and Dungarvan will be performed by various members of the 24-strong festival chorus, and each performance will be different, offering classical and operatic repertoire in a less formal way.
LISMORE: Millennium Park – Tuesday, May 30 at 1pm
DUNGARVAN: Walton Park – Friday, June 2 at 12pm
YOUGHAL: Green Park – Saturday, June 3 at 12pm
FERMOY: Town Park – Sunday, June 4 at 12pm
Suitable for young and old, tickets are free, but must be pre-booked to guarantee a seat. Bring along the kids and let them run free and dance to the beautiful music or gather some friends or colleagues and have a lunch date with a difference.
‘Discover Opera’ and ‘Discover Singing’ are exciting singing initiatives presented by Blackwater Valley Opera Festival in partnership with Music Generation Waterford and supported by the Tomar Trust. It allows children and their teachers to dive into the creative world of opera – inspiring dialogue, critical thinking, and most of all having fun!
This programme of outreach classroom workshops takes place in classrooms throughout the month of May, and culminates in exciting opera trails in Lismore Castle Gardens, and singing workshop finales at Lismore Heritage Centre during festival week.
The BVOF Schools’ Night will see more than 400 primary and secondary students, teachers and care assistants to experience a full opera dress rehearsal performance for free. This magical night of opera will let them experience the beautiful music and performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth in the magnificent grounds of Lismore Castle, in Co. Waterford. Over 5,000 children have experienced the education programme and Schools’ Night since its inception as part of the festival’s commitment to ongoing support of local communities.
BVOF Festival Director Eamonn Carroll is thrilled to offer an inclusive programme of music and culture for everyone to enjoy.
“We are so proud to bring the joy of opera to everyone with our imaginative programme of classical music,” he said.
“We want to engage the young through a creative and imaginative programme of opera and classical music. Our school programmes and outreach work are central to our mission; creating opportunities for young people to explore the creative world of opera. For the students, it’s about enjoying the whole experience; being in the gardens and at the stables of Lismore Castle, people watching, being absorbed in the drama and music, seeing the costumes, wrapping themselves up in the excitement of the entire event.”
For further details, visit www.blackwatervalleyopera.ie/recital-performances/
