G.F. Handel
27 May – 3 June 2024
Booking now for our 2024 Festival
Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival will return from 27 May – 3 June 2024 with four performances of G.F. Handel’s Giulio Cesare in the grounds of Lismore Castle, Co. Waterford. This is one of Handel’s greatest Italian operas, and is now one of the most performed Baroque operas in the repertoire. The headline opera will feature the Irish Baroque Orchestra and the BVOF Chorus, conducted by Nicholas McGegan, directed by Tom Creed, with Set & Light Design by Aedín Cosgrove and Costume Design by Catherine Fay. The Giulio Cesare cast will include Ingeborg Bröcheler, Anna Devin, Nils Wanderer, Carolyn Holt, Sharon Carty, Dean Murphy, Iestyn Morris and Fionn Ó hAlmhain.
Experience an exhilarating week of opera, classical music recitals and concerts, schools and free events, pop up events, dining and more at incredible homes and historic venues throughout the Blackwater Valley. Dromore Yard concerts will feature Of Emperors, Kings, and Queens with Serenad Uyar, Leonardo Galeazzi, and Dearbhla Collins; Clara Haskil Piano Competition presented by Finghin Collins; and our 2024 festival finale will be an Antonio Vivaldi Concert with the Irish Baroque Orchestra led by Nicholas McGegan with Arianna Vendittelli and Iestyn Morris.
Free BVOF Open Air Lunchtime Recitals will bring the magic of Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival to local communities in Lismore and Dungarvan, Waterford; Youghal, and Castlemartyr in Cork for the very first time. Our 2024 Recitals Series will take place at Salterbridge House, St Carthage’s Cathedral, Villierstown Church, Tourin House, and Woodhouse Estate Stradbally. These recitals will include a Handel and Haydn – English Songbook; Irish Melodies – with music by Ina Boyle; Irish Writers’ Series: Wilde in Music; Irish Salon Opera Series: La Zingarella; RDS Collins Memorial Bursary; Irish Songmakers Recital; Irish Heritage Bursary; RIAM Next Generation; BVOF Bursary Recital, and BVOF Chorus Recital 2024.
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Conductor Nicholas McGegan OBE
Welcome to BVOF 2024
Sell-out festival on the horizon for BVOF 2024
Excitement at the local launch of BVOF 2024 at Lismore Heritage Centre on April 25, 2024. This year's Blackwater Valley Opera Festival kicked off...
Engage Your Senses at the 2024 Blackwater Valley Opera Festival – World-Class Performers, Bespoke Dining and Stunning Venues
The 2024 festival at Lismore, Youghal, Dungarvan and Castlemartyr features an inspiring creative team, 100 international and Irish performers, 22...
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We are giving away some fabulous prizes at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival this year. Stayed tuned to be in with a chance to win performance tickets, hotel breaks, exclusive shopping vouchers, VIP treatments and more.
Visit Waterford ~ Where Ireland Begins
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is a dedicated member of Visit Waterford and proud to be a premiere flagship festival for Waterford. We are thrilled to be showcased in the newly released Visit Waterford tourism video. Remarkably, Waterford has secured a unique position as the sole Irish destination listed in the prestigious New York Times “52 Places to Go” for 2024.