Rough magic: Halévy’s La Tempesta opens Wexford Opera Festival

Jade Phoenix (Ariele) and Nikolay Zemlianskikh (Prospero)

Hila Baggio (Miranda) and Giorgi Manoshvili (Calibano)

Giorgi Manoshvili (Calibano), Jade Phoenix (Ariele) and Nikolay Zemlianskikh (Prospero)

Giulio Pelligra (Fernando), Rory Musgrove (Alonso), Dan D'Souza (Trinculo)

By Roy Westbrook, 22 October 2022

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“after 170 years of neglect, a piece needs resurrection rather than revival, so you send for Wexford”

Reviewed at National Opera House: O’Reilly Theatre, Wexford on 21 October 2022

Halévy, La Tempesta

Wexford Festival Opera

Francesco Cilluffo, Conductor

Roberto Catalano, Director

Emanuele Sinisi, Set Designer

Ilaria Ariemme, Costume Designer

DM Wood, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of Wexford Festival Opera

Chorus of Wexford Festival Opera

Hila Baggio, Miranda

Rory Musgrave, Alonso

Giulio Pelligra, Fernando

Gianluca Moro, Stefano

Nikolay Zemlianskikh, Prospero

Emma Jüngling, Sicorace

Richard Shaffrey, Antonio

Giorgi Manoshvili, Calibano

Jade Phoenix, Ariele

Dan D'Souza, Trinculo

Delius’ The Magic Fountain disappoints at Wexford

Eleanor Knight, 19th October

Frederick Delius' gigantic score is worth a listen but Christopher Luscombe doesn’t circumvent the problems of directing this opera in 2025.

**111

Handel’s Deidamia a triumph for Wexford Festival Opera

Eleanor Knight, 18th October

A rare opportunity to see Handel’s final operatic work, Deidamia, conducted – and staged – by George Petrou at Wexford Festival Opera.

*****

Spanish Civil War Trouvère opens Wexford Festival Opera

Eleanor Knight, 17th October

The 74th Wexford Opera Festival opens with the French revision of Il trovatore that Verdi reforged for the Paris Opera.

***11

Orpha Phelan delivers farcical Donizetti at the Wexford Festival Opera

Andrew Larkin, 20th October

Superlative singing, hilarious antics and an energetic production make Donizetti's Le Convenience ed inconvenience an exhilarating success.

****1

Stanford's hilarious The Critic proves a Wexford knockout

Andrew Larkin, 19th October

Conor Hanratty's humorous production is a triumph from beginning to end, a must see at this year's Wexford Festival.

*****

Mascagni's Le maschere struggles to take flight in Wexford opener

Andrew Larkin, 18th October

Excellent singing, an amusing production and lively staging showcases Mascagni's Le maschere in the best possible light at Wexford Festival Opera.

***11

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

Rough magic: Fromental Halévy’s La Tempesta opens Wexford Opera Festival