Programme 2010

THE GOLDEN TICKET A Comic Opera based on the Book ‘Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’by Roald DahlMusic by Peter AshLibretto by Donald SturrockCommissioned byAmerican Lyric Theater, Lawrence Edelson, Producing Artistic Directorand Felicity DahlPremiered by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis,Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, June 13, 2010European Premiere Production SponsorZurich InsuranceDevelopmental Support for The Golden Ticket was provided in the United Kingdom by the Royal National Theatre Studio andThe National Endowment for Science Technology and The ArtsPresented by arrangement with American Lyric Theater Center, Inc.,in partnership with Music Link International, copyright owner. Conductor, Timothy RedmondDirector, James RobinsonSet Designer, Bruno SchwenglCostume Designer, Martin PakledinazLighting Designer, Christopher AkerlindWigs & Make up Design, Tom Watson Choreography, Sean Curran 'Greetings to you the lucky finder of the golden ticket from Mr. Willy Wonka... you can not imagine the marvellous surprises that await you.' The Golden Ticket, based on Roald Dahl's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is the second opera by Iowa-born composer and conductor, Peter Ash. His first opera, Keepers of the Night, also to a libretto by Donald Sturrock, was first performed in Los Angelas in 2007 and praised for its 'charm, sophistication and deep beauty.' Donald Sturrock, the librettist of The Golden Ticket, is an award-winning writer and documentary maker. He is involved in creating a library of orchestral and operatic work for children based on Dahl's writings. Harper Collins will publish his biography of Roald Dahl, Storyteller, early in September 2010. Charlie Bucket, the boy hero, lives in poverty with his aged and infirm grandparents and he dreams of winning one of five golden tickets that Willy Wonka, the confectionery wizard, has hidden in his chocolate bars. How Charlie succeeds in his quest to be one of the lucky winners, and how his life is changed more wonderfully than he could have imagined, is told in a melody-based opera full of humour, wit and virtuosity. '...a really impressive achievement. It's full of musical imagination, colour and invention. I love it.' (Sir Simon Rattle)

La serva padrona (‘The Maid as Mistress’) by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736) was first performed as an intermezzo between the acts of one of Pergolesi’s opera seria in 1733 in Naples. It tells of a young woman’s efforts to persuade her employer-guardian to marry her. It was immensely popular throughout Europe, and in Paris led to the creation of French opéra comique, such was the enthusiasm for Pergolesi’s Italian comic opera style.

Winners by Richard Wargo (b. 1957) is the first part of his two-act opera Ballymore, which was inspired by Irish playwright Brian Friel’s two one-act plays called Winners and Losers. Winners describes the last day on earth of teenagers Mag and Joe. They are engaged to be married but are fated to die in a boating accident.

This year’s concert by the Festival Choir and members of the Wexford Festival Orchestra will feature Saint Nicolas by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). The cantata Saint Nicolas was Britten’s first major work to include young voices and was commissioned for the centenary celebrations at Lancing College in 1948. He believed in the potential of children as the musicians of tomorrow. Eric Crozier’s libretto paints a dramatically bold portrait of the saint’s story and Britten’s music enhances the drama of the text. Full details of the programme will be announced later. Please check the Festival website for further information (www.wexfordopera.com).

Members of the versatile Wexford Festival Orchestra move out of the pit and into the spotlight. They will perform two concerts featuring instrumental and vocal soloists of the Festival.

We are delighted to announce the return of the Dr Tom Walsh Lecture to this year’s Festival. The Lecture is given to honour the memory of Dr Tom Walsh (1911-1988) who, after a lecture delivered to the Wexford Opera Study Circle in November, 1950 by Sir Compton Mackenzie, responded to his suggestion that the group should stage an opera in the Theatre Royal. Dr Tom and his friends established the Wexford Opera Festival in 1951 and he was the Festival’s Artistic Director until 1966. This year’s lecture will be given by Donald Sturrock who is not only the librettist of The Golden Ticket, but also the author of Roald Dahl’s biography called Storyteller, which will be published early in September. We hope that you will join us for a cup of tea or coffee in the foyer of the Jerome Hynes Theatre after the lecture. Sponsored by Victoria Walsh-Hamer

With G.H. Mumm champagne and finger-food, the hugely enjoyable post opera parties are perfect for meeting other Friends and artists. The parties begin immediately after the opera performances. You can book your two complimentary tickets when you are booking other Festival events.