On Wednesday September 19th, The American Ireland Fund in New York hosted a reception at the residence of Loretta Brennan Glucksman to launch the American Friends of Wexford Opera.
Guests were warmly welcomed by Wexford veterans. Leading American opera journalist Brian Kellow spoke about his wonderful experiences and fond memories of Wexford Opera, which has been a stunning success for over sixty years. The Wexford Festival Opera prides itself in introducing new and emerging artists and staging unforgettable and rare masterpieces with world class talent.
Loretta Brennan Glucksman reminisced about her visits to Wexford with her late husband, Lew and the vibrant productions and camaraderie engendered by the warmth and intimacy of Wexford Town. David McLoughlin, CEO of Wexford Festival Opera, thanked Loretta and all of their supporters for their continued endorsement of, and belief in, their work. David encouraged the guests to come to Wexford in October and enjoy the unique Festival experience and all it has to offer. With pride he announced the establishment of the American Friends of Wexford Opera with the objective of one of three main Festival operas presented with the support of the American Friends each year.
Guests had the pleasure of a special performance by recent member of the Wexford Opera alumni, Italian Tenor Luigi Boccia, accompanied by Sean Kelly.
The event was a wonderful evening attended by Consul General of Ireland, Noel Kilkenny, Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN, Anne Anderson and Judith Rice and Mary Jo Rice from Chicago. AIF Directors; John Fitzpatrick, Sheila O’Malley, Leslie King and John Sharkey also attended the event.
*For more details on the Wexford Festival Opera, please visit: http://www.wexfordopera.com/americanfriends
