Wexford National Opera House tickets 29 October 2026 - The First Festival | GoComGo.com

The First Festival

Wexford National Opera House, O'Reilly Theatre, Wexford, Ireland
All photos (1)
Select date and time
11 AM
From
US$ 84

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Important Info
Type: Opera
City: Wexford, Ireland
Starts at: 11:00
Duration: 1h
Sung in: English

E-tickets: Print at home or at the box office of the event if so specified. You will find more information in your booking confirmation email.

You can only select the category, and not the exact seats.
If you order 2 or 3 tickets: your seats will be next to each other.
If you order 4 or more tickets: your seats will be next to each other, or, if this is not possible, we will provide a combination of groups of seats (at least in pairs, for example 2+2 or 2+3).

Cast
Performers
Conductor: Andrew Synnott
Choir: Wexford Festival Opera Chorus
Orchestra: Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra
Creators
Composer: Alberto Caruso
Librettist: Colm Tóibín
Director: Conor Hanratty
Festival

Wexford Festival Opera 2026

The Wexford Festival Opera 2026 invites audiences to discover the magic of opera through the lens of rediscovery, imagination, and artistic exploration. From 15 to 31 October 2026, the historic town of Wexford in Ireland celebrates the 75th anniversary edition of one of the world’s most distinctive opera festivals — a festival famous for bringing forgotten masterpieces back to life and presenting them with exceptional creativity.

Overview

In celebration of the 75th Anniversary Festival, Wexford Festival Opera has commissioned Colm Tóibín and Alberto Caruso to present an operatic tribute to the Festival that Colm has loved and championed for decades. This world premiere celebrates the beginnings of the Festival.

Colm Tóibín, one of Ireland’s leading artistic figures, has a long history with WFO that began when he attended a dress rehearsal of The Pearl Fishers (1971) as a student in Wexford town. Colm has seldom missed a Festival since. His enthusiasm for, and enormous knowledge of, music and theatre has inspired Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi, and her creative relationship with Colm is one of the most important partnerships of Rosetta’s directorate. The First Festival reunites the celebrated novelist with his regular collaborator, composer Alberto Caruso, following on from their two pocket operas: The Master (2022) and Lady Gregory in America (2024).

Set in the local Tax Office in 1951, The First Festival celebrates the joy that erupts in Wexford as word spreads that an opera festival is starting in the town. When a motley crew of international singers and artists arrive in Wexford, singing arias of love and regret, long pent-up passions are unleashed on a town that will never be the same again. Written specifically for young voices on the Wexford Factory programme, this ensemble work is designed to showcase the Factory participants’ emerging talents whilst challenging their developing skills, and delighting audiences.

Venue Info

Wexford National Opera House - Wexford
Location   High Street

The National Opera House is a world-class cultural venue which the best local, national and international events throughout the year including opera, all genres of music, family events, comedy, theatre, dance and more.

The stunning landmark building offers two diverse performance spaces, the larger O’Reilly Theatre and the more intimate space of the Jerome Hynes Theatre, as well as numerous meeting and hospitality facilities, including a number of bars and dining spaces that are available for private functions.

The National Opera House is Ireland's first custom-built, multi-purpose opera house and home to the world-famous Wexford Festival Opera.

The stunning landmark building is nestled into the heart of Wexford's beautiful ancient Viking harbour town.  The new building opened in 2008 on the footprint of the old Theatre Royal, which had been the home of the Wexford Festival Opera for over 50 years.

A recipient of numerous prestigious national and international design awards since its completion, it is a magnificent tribute to the many people involved in the delivery of the building. 

Important Info
Type: Opera
City: Wexford, Ireland
Starts at: 11:00
Duration: 1h
Sung in: English
Top of page