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Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival: What's still available to book
Understandably, this performance of a mainly Irish cast, supported by the Irish Chamber Orchestra, is completely sold out, but for those who didn't catch the early opera treats, there is still time to dive in to the event, which runs from May 27 to June 2. With 23 events, two full opera productions, and over 100 world-class artists performing in ticketed and free events across 12 unique venues, it is the most ambitious programme in the festival's 15-year history, say organisers. There are performances in a castle, a cathedral and a 19th century farmhouse, as well as in historic homes. The festival will also bring live performances to Cappoquin, Dungarvan, Stradbally, Youghal, and Castlemartyr. So if you haven't yet planned your trip, here are some hidden gems you can still get to see. Opera in the cathedral Henry Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, featuring Paula Murrihy, Dean Murphy, Kelli-Ann Masterson, and the Irish Baroque Orchestra, will showcase the expressive beauty of baroque opera, offering a striking contrast in musical style and atmosphere across the festival. Tuesday, May 27's showing still has limited tickets available. It takes place at St Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore, Waterford. Tickets €20-€40. Concerts at Dromore Yard A romantic, semi-restored 19th-century farmyard on the banks of the River Blackwater sets the scene for two of the festival's most anticipated performances, headlined by internationally celebrated Irish mezzo-sopranos Paula Murrihy and Niamh O'Sullivan. Ms O'Sullivan's Where Birds Do Sing recital with pianist Gary Beecher from 3pm on Sunday, June 1 promises to be a standout moment – following their acclaimed appearance at Wigmore Hall, London. Some limited €35-€60 tickets are still available, but you will have to be quick. Paula Murrihy returns to the same venue for the festival finale, Baroque Hits, on Monday, June 2 from 8pm, performing with the Irish Baroque Orchestra under the baton of Nicholas McGegan. A handful of €25 tickets remain. ADVERTISEMENT Free outdoor recitals Throughout the week, a series of intimate classical performances will take place in historic homes and venues across the Blackwater Valley. The programme highlights include Shakespeare in Music, The Tinker and the Fairy, and a special poetry and music recital honouring George Bernard Shaw, with tickets starting at €25 for unallocated seating. However, there are also four lunchtime recitals that are free to attend on Tuesday, May 27 at Millenium Park in Lismore, on Friday, May 30 at at Walton Park in Dungarven, on Saturday, May 31 at Green Park in Youghal and on Sunday, June 1 at Castlemartyr Resort. They all start at 12pm and run for one hour, with the exception of Castlematyr, which starts at 1pm. Although there is no charge, attendees do need to book online at Witness the talent of tomorrow The festival supports emerging talent through four bursary awards, recognising exceptional promise in young artists and performers. This year's recipients will appear alongside Irish Heritage award winners in live performances during the week. Tickets for the recital of soprano Aimee Kearney and pianist Georgina Cassidy on Wednesday, May 28 from 1pm at Tourin House in Waterford are still available at €25 plus booking fee. Indulge in fine food – or a picnic Food lovers can look forward to a feast of flavours throughout the week, including a Midsummer-inspired menu created by celebrity TV chef Eunice Power, served in tents on the grounds of Lismore Castle. This three-course Italian-style meal is sold-out on Wednesday, May 28, but you can book for Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Dinner starts at 5.15pm and costs €85 per person for the standard menu or €75 for vegan. A booking fee is also added. Pre-show gourmet picnics are also available to order for Lismore Castle on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, or at Dromore Yard on Sunday and Monday. There's also an option at that location to pay a corkage fee of €10 to bring your own picnic. At Lismore Castle the picnic boxes showcase Comeragh lamb, Clare Island salmon and Irish cheeses, with a plant-based option also available. Both cost €55 plus a booking fee. At Dromore Yard, the menu includes either a chicken or falafel mezze costing €45 plus booking fee. Those heading to recitals can avail from some set menu deals at local eateries like The Saucy Hen in Villierstown, Barron's in Cappoquin, and Fuller's Bistro and The Vault Café in Lismore. All menus and prices are on the festival's website, where you can book meals.
The Guardian
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Giulio Cesare review – concert staging with plenty of sublime, and ridiculous, moments
There is a passage at the end of Act 1 of Handel's Giulio Cesare when a mother and son sing together, unaccompanied, united by loss. In this no-frills concert staging, mezzo-sopranos Beth Taylor (Cornelia) and Paula Murrihy (Sesto, a trouser role) faced each other, barely projecting, their vocal lines – locked in sighing parallel thirds – ringing absolutely true. It was one of the powerfully intense moments in a performance that ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous. Also sublime: countertenor Christophe Dumaux's lucid, liquid ornamentation as Caesar admits he has fallen for 'Lydia' (Cleopatra in disguise), entering competitive musical dialogue with a solo violin and shrugging at a flurry of musical leaps he was never going to imitate. Or his extraordinary control of a single unaccompanied sustained note at the start of his heartfelt aria in the final act, shaping an achingly slow crescendo and decrescendo in a way that was little short of bewitching. Or John Holiday's compelling turn as Cleopatra's brother Ptolemy, his countertenor flexible, his ornamentation nimble. Or the English Concert under artistic director Harry Bicket – always energetic, always neat, never flamboyant – whose string tone was warm or frozen as the emotional temperature demanded, the horns burnished, the occasional woodwind solos elegantly shaped. At the opposite end of the spectrum was the appearance of Achilles (baritone Morgan Pearse) carrying a Waitrose bag, from which he produced the plot's all-important bloodied head to delighted giggles from the auditorium. Later – now mortally wounded – he arranged himself onstage with a grin at the audience. Meanwhile, after Ptolemy's death, Holiday picked himself up, dusted himself down and hoiked his trousers before walking off. And in the absence of 'staging' beyond that plastic bag, an urn and a plastic knife, there was a lot of dramatic walking: striding and shuffling, a few tentative steps and the occasional full-pelt dash. Some of this seemed mannered and self-conscious alongside an unequivocally world-class musical performance. The constant movement on and off stage also gradually began to pall. But one standout turn negotiated the rapid switches between carry-on comedy and searing tragedy with ease. Louise Alder's Cleopatra treated the stage like a fashion runway, her first aria a heady cocktail of charisma and confidence, crooning and ferocious coloratura. Yet it was her later sincerity that hit home above all: lines sustained with tenderness and poise, her ornamentation exquisitely graceful – all utterly compelling.
Irish Independent
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Festivals in Waterford: your guide to summer fun in the Deise
Whether it's dancing in the streets of Ireland's oldest city, listening to classical music while fine dining, or dressing up for the races, here are five summer carnivals to suit every taste in Waterford. International Festival of Time Waterford city is welcoming the return of the International Festival of Time, set to take place on Friday and Saturday, May 23 – 24. This globally celebrated event brings together master watchmakers, horology enthusiasts, collectors, and artisans for an unparalleled celebration of timekeeping excellence. The city is home to Ireland's only dedicated museum of watches and clocks, The Irish Museum of Time in the Viking Triangle, and is just a short distance from New Geneva, where Genevan watchmakers had decided to relocate their entire industry in 1784. The festival highlights for 2025 include Exhibitions of Rare and Exquisite Timepieces, which will showcase a breathtaking collection of handcrafted mechanical watches and antique timepieces. 'The International Festival of Time is a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of cutting-edge horology while experiencing the vibrant culture and heritage of Waterford,' said a spokesperson. Tickets at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Black Valley Opera Festival (BVOF) is returning to Waterford from May 27– June 2 for its fifteenth anniversary. Ireland's summer opera festival offers a richly-curated programme of opera and classical music set in 12 historic homes and venues across the Blackwater Valley. 'Join us for a week of 23 special events including full-scale operas, intimate concerts, bespoke dining experiences and free open-air recitals,' said an organiser. 'This year's programme has something for everyone, from opera fans to new audiences, from families to foodies.' The festival has evolved from a 2010 pop-up event into a flagship festival for Waterford, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The festival celebrates opera, classical music events, and dining at venues including Lismore Castle and the semi-restored Dromore Yard. Highlights this year include Benjamin Britten - A Midsummer Night's Dream on May 28, 30, 31 and June 1, for which there are limited tickets remaining. Lismore Castle will play host to conductor David Brophy and director Patrick Mason, with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, while Henry Purcell - Dido and Aeneas are on May 27 and 29 in St Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore, with Paula Murrihy, Dean Murphy, Kelli-Ann Masterson, the Irish Baroque Orchestra, and Nicholas McGegan. The Dromore Yard hosts on Niamh O'Sullivan and Gary Beecher with When Birds Do Sing, on June 1 and on June 2 it is Paula Murrihy, Irish Baroque Orchestra, and Nicholas McGegan. Recitals are from May 27 –June 2 in Salterbridge House, Tourin House, Villierstown Church, St Carthage's Cathedral, and Woodhouse Estate, with bespoke dining experiences at Lismore Castle. Final tickets are now on sale. Contact the box office at +353 87 407 9250 or visit Spraoi International Street Arts Festival Spraoi International Street Arts Festival transforms Waterford city from Friday to Sunday, August 1 - 3 into a giant stage where artists from around the world perform for free. The festival attracts audiences of all ages with an exciting programme of street performers, contemporary circus, music, dance, fireworks, and the Spraoi Festival Parade. This year is Spraoi Festival number 33, it began life under the wing of Red Kettle Theatre Company before flying on its own. The name was suggested by Dáithí Kimber. Since then thousands of performers have featured at Spraoi, audiences numbering hundreds of thousands have delighted in the magic, and Waterford is established as Ireland's street performance capital. See events at Tramore Horse Racing Festival The four-day August festival at Tramore Racecourse brings the seaside town alive, with racing each evening leaving days free to explore the coastline or Tramore's many bars and restaurants. Running from August 14-18, the Friday evening will be BBQ night at the racecourse, and on Saturday evening it's all about style as the winners of the lucrative best dressed competitions will be crowned. There is racing over the jumps on Thursday evening too and a final afternoon card of racing, again over jumps, on Sunday. Tickets at Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival Set in one of Waterford's most-loved seaside towns, the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival brings together musicians from all over the world to celebrate their take on bluegrass or country music. Headliners last year included young US duo Ashlee Watkins and Andrew Small, who hail from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Southwest Virginia and singer songwriter Hank Wangford from the UK. The 30th renewal is set for August 22, 24 and 24, with the line-up of acts and events to be revealed soon at
