Wexford on Ireland’s east coast will welcome opera fans this autumn when it stages the Wexford Festival Opera between 17 October and 1 November.

Now in its 74th year, this year’s theme is Myths and Legends, and the three main stage operas include Verdi’s Le Trouvère, Handel’s Deidamia, and Delius’ The Magic Fountain. The productions will take place in the National Opera House, Ireland’s only custom-built opera venue.

Other highlights of the festival include two Pocket Opera performances as well as the Community Opera, where members of the local community perform alongside a professional cast in the Grain Store at Stonebridge. Lunchtime recitals, talks, lectures, and short night operas in Green Acres Gallery round off the ticketed events.

Throughout the event, Wexford town presents a friendly and welcoming environment for the 20,000 people who come to see the performances each year. On opening night, thousands will gather on the quay to watch the fireworks display ahead of the curtain rising on the first opera of the season. Pop-up musical and theatrical events also take place in unexpected locations during the festival.

Wexford town is home to a Viking and medieval past, with cobbled streets, picturesque harbour, and heritage buildings like Selskar Abbey.