Wexford Festival Opera Named 'Best Festival' at the International Opera Awards

Wexford Festival Opera won the highly coveted Best Festival category at the International Opera Awards, held in the prestigious surroundings of London's Coliseum at a gala event last night, hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenter Petroc Trelawny and attended by all of the world's leading opera professionals.

Wexford was crowned Best Festival ahead of the other shortlisted leading international opera festivals: Festival d'Aix-en-Provence (France); FestivAl Verdi (Parma); Garsington Opera (UK); Lyon Festival (France); and Spoleto Festival (USA).

Accepting the award on behalf of Wexford Festival Opera, Artistic Director David Agler, now in his 13th Festival since taking the helm in 2005, said, "A group of opera enthusiasts from the rural seaside town of Wexford started out with a clear, ambitious, but risky vision 66 years ago, to put on a festival that explored the neglected and often obscure opera repertoire. With the unstinting support from the local community, as well as the Arts Council of Ireland, the festival has grown from strength to strength and now performs in a new state-of-the-Art Theatre, the National Opera House, which allows us more scope and opportunity. This award validates the founders conviction and determination; a winning combination of a shared vision, artistic quality and a warm welcome, truly second to none."

The International Opera Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in world opera and attracts all leading opera professionals from around the globe.

Meanwhile preparations for the 66th Wexford Festival Opera, running for an extended 18-day period from Thursday, 19 October until Sunday, 5 November, are well underway. The full programme and samples of this year's operas are available at www.wexfordopera.com/programme

Come and experience Wexford Festival Opera and discover why it has been crowned the world's best opera festival. Tickets are selling quickly. Book online 24/7 at www.wexfordopera.com or by calling the box-office on +353 (0)53 912 2144 Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The 66th Wexford Festival Opera is supported by grants from the Arts Council, Wexford County Council and Fáilte Ireland/Ireland's Ancient East.

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