From the press release:

Wexford Festival Opera announces that one of the world’s most acclaimed operatic tenors, Joseph Calleja, will return to the Wexford stage for the Festival’s 75th Anniversary season, running from 15 – 31 October 2026. The Maltese tenor first graced the Wexford stage in 1998 at the age of 20, at the start of his illustrious career. Calleja will perform the role of Osaka in Mascagni’s Iris on 15, 23, 28 and 31 October, and will also feature in the Festival’s fundraising gala on 17 October alongside fellow opera superstars Ermonela Jaho, Daniela Barcellona, and Giorgi Manoshvili.

The fundraising gala concert, Cróí na Féile (The Heart of the Festival) – takes place at the National Opera House, Wexford, on Saturday 17 October. In what is expected to be a highlight of the 75th season, Ermonela Jaho, Daniela Barcellona, Joseph Calleja, and Giorgi Manoshvili will join forces with the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, conducted by Daniele Callegari (who first conducted at Wexford Festival Opera in 1998), to perform music by Puccini, Verdi and more.

In Irish, ‘Croí na Féile’ translates to The Heart of Festival (or The Heart of Generosity). It is a phrase used to describe a place, or a person, with a generous heart and represents the warm and welcoming spirit of Wexford that has always been central to the Festival’s identity. 

Here, Ermonela Jaho shares her Wexford Festival Opera story:

Ermonela Jaho said: “My first time in Wexford was in 1999. Performing at the Festival felt truly significant. It was an extraordinary school for me, not only as an artist but also as a human being. Many great opera singers had taken their first steps there. Becoming part of that artistic family was very meaningful to me.”

In this video, Joseph Calleja shares his Wexford story:

Commenting on his return to Wexford Festival Opera Joseph Calleja said:
“My Wexford story started in 1998 when I was 20 years old and just one year into my professional career. The impact of Wexford Festival Opera on my career has been massive. It is an incredible platform and has been the launchpad for so many great careers. I’m so looking forward to returning this year for the concert, and also to perform on the main stage in Mascagni’s Iris. Come and watch the stars of the next 10, 20, 30 years. See you there.”

Furthermore, we are delighted to announce 14 distinguished Ambassadors who will champion this landmark year. From legendary singers to visionary directors, these artists represent a ‘who’s who’ of the global opera world and share a connection to the Festival. They will champion this milestone year and celebrate the Festival’s unique mission of presenting forgotten or rarely performed works. The Ambassadors are Juan Diego Flórez, Joseph Calleja, Ermonela Jaho, Sinead Campbell Wallace, Claudia Boyle, Mariangela Sicilia, Celine Byrne, Daniela Barcellona, Aigul Akhmetshina, Paula Murrihy, Giorgi Manoshvili, Michele Mariotti, David Pountney, and Damiano Michieletto. Some Ambassadors credit the Festival as being the springboard for their global careers, having first graced our stages before going on to conquer the world’s greatest opera houses. We are honoured to have their support as they share why this milestone year is simply unmissable.

The 75th Wexford Festival Opera will run from 15 – 31 October 2026. Priority booking opens for Friends of the Festival on 22 April with general booking opening on 6 May. Full programme will be available on wexfordopera.com from 26 March.

Wexford Festival Opera would like to acknowledge and thank The Arts Council, Wexford County Council, Fáilte Ireland/Ireland’s Ancient East and the Festival’s Friends, Sponsors, and Donors for their invaluable and continued support.

Published post no.2,834 – Sunday 22 March 2026