Immerse yourself in the captivating world of opera at the Wexford Festival Opera 2024, featuring a standout production of Charles Villiers Stanford's "The Critic." This enchanting opera, sung in English with English surtitles, promises an unforgettable experience with its fully-staged presentation. Based on the libretto by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, "The Critic" first graced the stage in 1916 at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, showcasing the combined Dublin-born talents of Stanford and Sheridan, who both found their fame in England.

Set against the backdrop of the O'Reilly Theatre at the National Opera House, this production brings to life the satirical edge of Sheridan's work, under the baton of conductor Ciarán McAuley and the visionary direction of Conor Hanratty. The story unfolds on the stage of a theatre during the rehearsal of a new opera, "The Spanish Armada," with the characters navigating the complexities of love, loyalty, and artistic endeavor amidst the threat of a Spanish invasion.

The cast features a blend of emerging and established talents, including Tony Brennan as Lord Burleigh, Rory Dunne as the Governor of Tilbury Fort, Gyula Nagy as Earl of Leicester, and Ava Dodd as Tilburina, among others. Each performer brings depth and nuance to their roles, promising a production rich in vocal excellence and dramatic flair.

"The Critic" will be performed on select dates between October 19 and November 1, 2024, offering audiences a chance to experience Stanford's penultimate opera, hailed as one of his finest works. With tickets available for priority booking from April 24, 2024, for Friends of the Festival, this is an opportunity to partake in a historic piece of opera that bridges humor with the grandeur of operatic tradition.

Prepare for an evening of exquisite music, compelling drama, and the timeless wit of "The Critic" at the Wexford Festival Opera 2024.

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The Critic

National Opera House

Framed as a TV sitcom episode, this warm-hearted story of unrequited love unfolds with the arrival of a love potion salesman on a beautiful English country house estate staffed by Land Girls and locals.

The Elixir of Love

London Coliseum

Mozart’s famous opera is a whirlwind comedy of betrothal, betrayal and deliciously bad behaviour.

Ava Dodd

Events

Upcoming events

Oct 19 - Nov 1, 2024

The Critic · Wexford Festival Opera

Nov 15 - Dec 5, 2024

The Elixir of Love · English National Opera

5 - 22 Feb, 2025

The Marriage of Figaro · English National Opera

Future and recently performed repertoire

Barbarina in The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart

English National Opera

Tilburina in The Critic by Stanford

Wexford Festival Opera

Adina in The Elixir of Love by Donizetti

English National Opera

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