Introducing the Wexford Factory artists for 2025

Now entering its sixth year, the Wexford Factory was introduced in 2020 by Artistic Director, Rosetta Cucchi…

Wexford Festival Opera has established the Wexford Factory to offer professional and financial support to young singers, pianists and stage managers in the early stage of their careers.

Wexford Festival Opera’s aim in creating the Wexford Factory is to offer one of the world’s most formative experiences for young opera professionals who are about to take the biggest step of all into a fully professional career.

Designed to nurture emerging opera singers, repetiteurs and stage managers as they take their first steps into the industry, the participating artists embark on a two-year journey engaging in a professional development academy held every September in Wexford. They also have the chance to perform in the Festival.

Singers: Laura Aherne, Jane Burnell, Valeria Gorbunova, Tong Guo, David Kennedy, Agshin Khudaverdiyev, Rory William Lynch, Maria Matthews, Ihor Mostovoi, Adam McDonagh, Forooz Razavi, Yu Shao and Seán Tester.

Pianists: Frasier Hickland, Declan Murphy and Doireann O’Carroll

Stage Management: Elena Cullen, Nell Snyder and Bradley Whelan

PwC plays a key role with its commitment to supporting artists through their sponsorship of Wexford Factory each year.

Speaking about PwC partnership’s, WFO Artistic Director Rosetta Cucchi told Wexford Weekly that:

“The Wexford Factory has always been my dream, a place to nurture the next generation of Irish opera talent, equipping them with the skills, experience, and confidence to shine on the world stage. With PwC as a partner from the start of the Factory we have been able to grow and develop the programme since 2020. We are very grateful to PwC for supporting this vital part of our Festival.”

Speaking about the Wexford Factory sponsorship, Danielle Cunniffe, Partner, PwC, said:

“Enabling diverse young talent to reach their potential is a priority at PwC. We are also conscious of supporting the Arts & Culture sector and their valuable impact on society and in our communities. Our continued support of this important professional development academy at Wexford Festival Opera is a perfect fit for our brand. We wish all the Wexford Factory artists great success for the 2025 programme and in their future careers.”

Advertise on Wexford Weekly