The Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is delighted to extend its evening concerts at Dromore Yard; there will be two this year. The yard is a hidden gem on the banks of the Blackwater River.  The lands surrounding Dromore yard had been in the Barry family since the early 1500s.  Today, the farm yard plays host to the concert series of the festival, our audiences can meander through the yard where the old buildings shelter tables for a sit-down dinner and there is now an atmospheric bar in the old cow barn. Performances take place inside the large tin Dutch barn, hung with candle-lit chandeliers.

The sense of connection with the scenic beauty of the river beyond is helped by the large sliding doors that act as a transparent backdrop to the concerts. Daylight floods in before the performances start, and audiences can witness the darkening sky as the sun goes down when the candles come into their own. The intimacy and connection between performers and audiences and nature is very special.

Last year we experienced the virtuoso talent of Nadege Rochat on her Stradivarius cello accompanied by Dearbhla Collins on concert grand piano. This year Nadege returns ‪on Thursday evening, ‪at 8.15pm, with two other highly accomplished musicians,  Pablo Barragán  and Maki Wiederkehr to form a cello – clarinette -piano trio. We bring you this unique concert thanks to the very generous support of the Mullin and Fund families.

On Sunday night, Giovanni Bellucci’s candlelit piano concert with music by Liszt, inspired by famous operas will be something not to be missed. We are honoured to have a star of Mr Bellucci’s international standing to play for us. We thank Ivor Fitzpatrick & Company Solicitors for their kind support of this eagerly anticipated concert.

On both nights we will also be offering a more informal option of a picnic box by Mezze of Waterford.