Talented Carlow soprano wins prestigious emerging talent award
The €6,000 bursary was presented after a special performance at Kildare Village, held to celebrate one month to go until the 2025 Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF), which takes place from May 27 to June 2 in Co Waterford.
Eva is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) in Dublin, studying under Kathleen Tynan and Dearbhla Collins.
Renowned for her versatile talent, Eva has already performed at prestigious venues across Ireland and has earned multiple accolades for her outstanding vocal ability.
In 2024, Eva achieved significant success, including multiple awards at the Feis Ceoil, the Canto al Serchio Prize at the Birr Festival of Music, and the John McCormack Bursary. In January 2025, she performed the role of Rosina in Haydn's La vera costanza, and in February she participated in the Winterlied Academie Programme in Leipzig.
Eva will perform as part of the 2025 Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, and will also act as a festival ambassador alongside fellow emerging artists.
The bursary will support her continued studies and professional development, helping to advance her blossoming career as one of Ireland's most promising young sopranos.
'I'm thrilled to be the first recipient of this incredible new bursary,' said Eva. 'Thanks to the generous donor and to Kildare Village for funding the Brid Phelan Emerging Talent award, and to the ongoing support of Dieter Kaegi and all at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, I now have the opportunity to travel for auditions and professional training, attend summer schools and masterclasses, and perform at this year's festival – not once, but three times.
"I'm also deeply grateful to my family, friends, and my tutors at the Royal Irish Academy of Music for all of their support,' she continued. 'This opportunity is a turning point in my development and will have a lasting impact on my future career.'
This new award, to be presented annually from 2025 to 2029, forms part of BVOF's ongoing commitment to nurturing exceptional Irish operatic talent. It honours the legacy of Bríd Phelan and recognises promising young artists on the cusp of exciting careers. Winners are selected by Dieter Kaegi, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival.
The inaugural award presentation was marked by a performance from Eva Kavanagh at Kildare Village, together with Conor Prendeville, and Ella Nagy.
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