Wexford Festival Opera

Le Trouvère (1857) by Giuseppe Verdi
Le trouvère premiered at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels on January 12, 1857.This is a rare chance to hear Verdi’s French version of Il trovatore, which includes the addition of ballet music of extraordinary quality as well as adjustments to the score. The opera’s intricate plot revolves around the rivalry for the love of the young Leonora between the troubadour Manrique and the Comte de Lune.

Deidamia (1741) by George Frideric Handel
An Opera Seria in three acts, Deidamia was composed in 1740 and premiered in 1741.Handel’s last Italian opera before he turned to oratorio is an unjustly neglected tragi-comic masterpiece, and the title role in particular covers the entire expressive spectrum, from flirtatious love song to heartfelt lament. Deidamia will be a co-production with Göttingen International Handel Festival who will present the work in 2026.

The Magic Fountain (1895) by Frederick Delius
A lyric drama in three acts, with a libretto by the composer, The Magic Fountain was unperformed during Delius’s lifetime, receiving its concert premiere in 1977 and stage premiere in 1997. Set in a mythical, exotic location, it centres around the legend of a magical fountain that grants eternal youth.