28/08/2026
Music, cocktails, 1950s style and the world premiere of Colm Tóibín’s joyous and deliciously racy The First Festival!
We are turning back the clock 75 years to where it all began, and we want you to be part of the magic! On Monday, 19th October, Wexford Festival Opera invites you to step into an era of fabulous fashion, swing rhythms, and vintage glamour. This isn't just an opera night performance, it’s a 1951 time capsule experience!
🍹The Pre-Opera Vintage Reception
We would love you to arrive early to soak up the nostalgic atmosphere and get into the spirit of the occasion. We will have iconic 1950s music playing throughout the foyer with specially crafted vintage cocktails before the curtain goes up.
💃The Dress Code: Fabulous Fifties
To help us recreate the magic of 1951, we invite you to dress up in the style of the decade. We would love to welcome your creativity, whether you fancy a playful nod to the era with poodle skirts and classic pearls, want to channel a dapper, slicked-back look, or just want to add a retro twist to your favourite outfit. We cannot wait to see the foyer filled with magnificent 1950s flair.
🎭The Opera: 'The First Festival'
The centrepiece of the evening is the world premiere of Colm Tóibín’s joyous and deliciously racy one-hour opera, sung in English. Commissioned especially for Wexford Festival Opera’s 75th anniversary, The First Festival tells a story of love, music and a community changed forever by the arrival of opera. The work reunites celebrated novelist Colm Tóibín with his longtime collaborator, composer Alberto Caruso, in a tribute to the people, personalities, and audacious spirit from which the Festival was born in the Southeast of Ireland.
Join us for our 1950s theme night. Tickets are available from €20 to €60. Don't miss out!
🎟 https://bit.ly/TheFirstFestival
