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Opera at Wexford - Rare operas the speciality
5
days
from
US$3,600
Book today with a deposit of
US$540
28th October 2026 - 1st November 2026
- A festival famed for world-class artistic standards together with a spirit of conviviality, in its 75th anniversary year.
- Three rarely performed operas: Rossini’s 'L’equivico stravagante', Prokofiev’s 'The Gambler', Mascagni’s 'Iris'.
- Early-career professionals perform Pocket Operas: 'The Rose of Castile' by Michael William Balfe and 'Much Ado About Nothing' by Charles Villiers Stanford.
- Meetings with festival managers and artists, daily talks on the music, good dinners.
The idea of an opera festival aspiring to international standards in a tiny town in the remote south of Ireland was of course absolute madness. (Even today the population of Wexford, still a working port, is not much more than 20,000.) But some mad ideas work, and the Wexford Festival Opera succeeded beyond the wildest hopes of its founders 75 years ago. Despite struggles and challenges, it has continued to succeed, and is now ably and imaginatively steered by artistic director Rosetta Cucchi.
Not the least daft aspect of the vision – the visionary being one Tom Walsh, the local anaesthetist – was the decision to focus exclusively on little-known or rarely-performed operas. Indeed, you may find that you have not heard of some or all of the three main operas. Don’t worry, due diligence precludes duffers, and they are very likely to be sung, played and staged with panache and verve and general all-round excellence.
The glory of Wexford Festival Opera is not only musical. Its very unpretentiousness means that the habitual Irish warmth of welcome and easy-going ways contribute to the conviviality and sense of common purpose. It may be amusingly incongruous to see a street of mariners’ cottages pullulating with gents in dinner jackets (standard, incidentally, but not compulsory) but locals don’t bat an eyelid. After all, it’s their festival too.
Since 1951 the festival has grown steadily in ambition, accomplishment and fame. One triumph has been the building of a new home, named The National Opera House and recipient of numerous national and international awards since its opening in 2008.
In its 75th anniversary year, the programme for 2026 revolves around the theme of ‘The Best of: one for the head, one for the heart, one for fun’. The three mainstage operas are L’equivico stravagante (1811) by Gioachino Rossini, The Gambler (1929) by Sergei Prokofiev and Iris (1898) by Pietro Mascagni. We have booked first and second category tickets for all three, as well as The Rose of Castile (1857) by Michael William Balfe and Much Ado About Nothing (1901) by Charles Villiers Stanford, performed by the Opera Factory, a course for early-career artists.
Aside from a rather special morning’s exploration of the town’s history and architecture, we have not laid on excursions or visits. There are talks and discussions daily, and there is a range of events and art exhibitions to entertain you. Time to rest and recharge is also considered. In addition to the talks by our own lecturer – Dr John Allison, editor of Opera magazine and also of the Wexford programme book – there will be meetings with several people involved in running the festival.
Itinerary
Fly at c. 10.45am from London Heathrow Airport to Dublin. (Nearly every airport in the UK has flights to Dublin, so consider flying from one more convenient for you – there is a price reduction if you don’t take the group flights.) The drive to Wexford is around two hours. Time to settle into the hotel before dinner.
Two distinguished Wexfordians, both prominent in cultural institutions in the town, lead a morning walk. The first set of daily talks and discussions takes place today. During the trip our own speaker is joined by people involved in running or performing in the festival. Free time until dinner is followed by the evening opera: L’equivico stravagante (Rossini).
Morning opera, The Rose of Castile (1857). The brainchild of Wexford artistic director Rosetta Cucchi, the Opera Factory is a masterclass for young artists that culminates in a performance. An afternoon talk is followed by dinner and evening opera: The Gambler (Prokofiev.)
The daily talk precedes the afternoon opera: Much Ado About Nothing (Stanford). Dinner is followed by the evening opera, Iris (Mascagni).
By coach to Dublin Airport for the flight which arrives at London Heathrow Airport c. 5.30pm.
Music tickets are confirmed in the spring.
Expert speaker
Dr John Allison
Editor of Opera magazine and music critic. He was born in South Africa and completed his PhD degree while playing the piano and working as assistant organist at Cape Town cathedral. Since moving to London in 1989 he has written for publications around the world, authored two books and served on the juries of many international competitions. He co-founded the International Opera Awards in 2013. He reviews for the Daily Telegraph and has previously held positions as music critic on The Sunday Telegraph and The Times.
More tours led by Dr John Allison
Practicalities
Two sharing: US$3,860 or US$3,600 without flights. Single occupancy: US$4,210 or US$3,950 without flights.
Airport transfers by private coach; hotel accommodation as described below; breakfasts; all 4 dinners (with wine, water, coffee) in good restaurants; all tips; all taxes; Festival programme book; services of the lecturer, tour manager, guides and guest speakers.
Tickets (first and second categories) for 5 operas are included costing c. £500.
Whites of Wexford: a large, modern 4-star hotel in the centre of town, located a few minutes on foot from the opera house. Spacious common areas, capacious and comfortable bedrooms, good restaurant and bar, lovely helpful staff. Single rooms throughout are doubles for sole use.
There are some late nights but morning starts are also late and there is quite a lot of free time. You should be able to cope with everyday walking and stair-climbing. Coach travel is only for transfers to and from Dublin Airport: 100 miles each way.
Between 10 and 24 participants.
Dates & prices
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2026
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
28th October - 1st November 2026
Speaker:
Dr John Allison
Price:
from US$3,600
(Based on two sharing)Testimonials
“This was my first experience with Martin Randall Travel and I was very impressed with the organisation and itinerary. I learned a lot and met some interesting people. A thoroughly enjoyable day. Thank you.
”
“The operas were splendidly performed and we had good seats.
”
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