Sean Rafferty introduces the first of two svenings from the Wexford Festival Opera with a new production of Die Konigin von Saba (The Queen ofSheba), the most famous opera by Karl Goldmark. First performed in 1875, the score is sensual, full of oriental colour and influenced by Jewish religious music. Assad is torn between his love forthe tempestuous Queen of Sheba and his betrothed,
Sulamith, daughter of the High Priest.
Wexford Festival Opera Chorus,
National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, conductor Claude Schnitzler
Act
8.50 Twenty Minutes: The Arrival of the QueenofSheba
Ian McElhinney reads from Goldmark's recollections on the origins and early performances of his most successful opera.
9.10 Act 2
10.00 Twenty Minutes: Wexford
The playwright Billy Roche and the novelist Colm Toibin talk about the town of Wexford and its surrounding area and discuss the influence the town has had on theirwriting.
10.20 Acts 3 and 4 Moniuszko's The Haunted Manoris tomorrow