The Second Annual American Friends of Wexford Opera Dinner Gala
On Wednesday, September 10, The American Friends of Wexford Opera hosted the Wexford Festival Opera New York Gala Dinner at the Pierre in NYC. The American Ireland Fund has supported Wexford Festival Opera for over 30 years and joined in hosting the event.
The evening’s guests were welcomed by Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Honorary Patron of American Friends of Wexford Opera and Chairman Emeritus of The American Ireland Fund along with Shane Naughton, Dinner Chairman and Board Director of The American Ireland Fund. Guests enjoyed special guest performances by 2014 Wexford Opera Alumnus Award recipient Bryan Hymel and special guest performer Marie-Ève Munger. Newly appointed Consul General of Ireland Barbara Jones attended the evening on the occasion of her first official engagement in her new post as guest of honor. She spoke of how she proud she was of her native county of Wexford which was now forging a “new bridge of voices” with America. Proceeds from the event will directly benefit the 2014 European premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning American opera, Silent Night.
Since 1951 Wexford Festival Opera has presented a unique and remarkable Festival to Irish & International audiences. Featuring rarely performed and undiscovered operas of the highest international standard, the Festival has garnered worldwide critical and audience acclaim, in a small and welcoming medieval Irish town. It is one of Ireland’s greatest success stories on the international stage. Recently awarded the Best Re Discovered Work at the International Opera Awards, Wexford Festival Opera continues to celebrate excellence and inclusion, while providing access to, and a platform for, new and emerging Irish and global talent. The 63rd Wexford Festival Opera will run for 12 days from Wednesday, 22 October until Sunday, 2 November 2014.
