“Music is such a powerful medium and the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has been working tirelessly promoting the beauty and relevance of opera. It is wonderful to witness results of the drive and enthusiasm of such dedicated people making opera more accessible and connected to audiences in such an inclusive and authentic manner.”
www.blackwatervalleyopera.ie
His Excellency, President Michael D. Higgins
Our Vision
We are Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival, joyfully engaging our audiences through a creative and imaginative programme of opera and classical music in the beautiful Blackwater Valley; showcasing emerging Irish talent alongside established international artists and delivering memorable and inspirational experiences which enrich the cultural life of the region.
◆ Delivering an ambitious artistic repertoire, adopting innovative new approaches to productions, resulting in an unparalleled shared experience for the audience and performers.
◆ Extending education programmes to a greater number of schools and students, including free concerts for school children and free lunchtime recitals available to young families and all audiences.
◆ Providing opportunity and financial support to young Irish artists enriches the cultural and artistic landscape in Ireland, and strengthens our support of projects related to Irish composers and provides a platform for young Irish talent.
◆ Creating meaningful connections for older communities with musical performances in care home settings, and an increased visibility of the festival for diverse audiences, generating positive social impact.
Investing in Artistic Development
We strive for excellence across our artistic programmes, delivering high quality opera productions, concerts, and recitals. BVOF provides opportunities for young and established artists and works consistently to develop new and multigenerational audiences.
100 Artists
“Our collaboration with Blackwater Valley Opera festival was one of the most rewarding experiences we have enjoyed as professional artists. It was a truly memorable partnership with a festival which should now be regarded as world-class.”
Peter Whelan, Artistic Director, Irish Baroque Orchestra
Investing in Talent Development
We develop young and emerging Irish talent in opera by awarding significant bursaries with multiple opportunities for performance and professional career development. This commitment to supporting the development of opera in Ireland includes partnerships with Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM), Irish Heritage (London), and Royal Dublin Society (RDS).
Over the last five years, this talent pathway has provided 37 young Irish artists with bursaries valued at more than €100,000.
4
37 Bursary Awards Bursary Award Artists
€100,000 value bursaries awarded
“My wife Mareta and I are so happy to be the sponsors of the BVOF Bursary Awards. It is such an honour to be involved with these talented young musicians. It’s a great compliment to the festival and its programme.”
Conor and Mareta Doyle, BVOF Bursary Award Sponsors (2023–2028)
Investing in Community and Education
We are committed to enhancing the cultural life of local communities, creating memorable experiences for young people through an inclusive educational programme, free recitals for families and local people, with a proven history of care home performances for older audiences.
We are seeking to expand and develop the reach and impact of our vital education and community programmes across Waterford, Munster and throughout Ireland.
6,500 School Children
100 Volunteers
“Thank you for the fantastic opera workshop you organised for the Crann Breaking Barriers group. It was so meaningful on so many levels. To the best of my knowledge no opera company and charity have ever collaborated to make an inclusive opera experience workshop happen. It is only through this spirit of collaboration that we can refute the stigma that marginalises those with disability.”
Kate Jarvey Founder, The Crann Centre, Ballincollig, Co. Cork.
How you can Support Our Vision
We are seeking generous individual supporters and transformational donors, corporate sponsors, and partners to invest in our next phase of artistic development, awards and bursaries and educational programmes.
Our yearly festival budget has now exceeded €1,000,000. This marks a substantial financial milestone for our organisation. Ticket sales represent only 25% of our income.
Over half our budget is contributed by donors sponsors partners and Friends of BVOF. Your generosity is what makes the festival possible.
We have a number of funding opportunities for specific projects and you can also make an unrestricted gift which allows us the freedom to respond to various programme opportunities as they arise. Anonymous donations play a crucial role in funding our festival.
€1M Annual Budget
Support Artistic Development
Opera Production – Principal Sponsor €50,000
Invest in the vital development of our opera production, including support for set and lighting design, costume, wigs, make up and creative elements. Brandingand hospitality benefits include an exclusive lunch with the opera conductor and director, plus a unique ‘behind the scenes’ access experience.
BVOF Orchestra – Main Sponsor
€35,000
BVOF partners with orchestras such as Irish Baroque Orchestra and Irish Chamber Orchestra, engaging world-class conductors and leading Irish and international players. This unique sponsorship opportunity includes an invitation to meet with the orchestra and a be part of a ‘Leadership Masterclass’ engagement with the conductor.
Evening Opera – Performance Sponsor €7,500
Sponsorship of one evening opera performance at Lismore Castle. This special benefits package includes on-site branding privileges and corporate group hospitality on the evening of your choice.
Support Talent Development
BVOF Chorus – Development Sponsor €10,000
Artistic Director Dieter Kaegi believes in the importance of working with the best emerging Irish voices. This funding helps BVOF to hold auditions to find the most gifted singers for the BVOF Chorus and allows us to provide a vital early career opportunity for these artists. Benefits include tickets to the BVOF Chorus Recital during the festival and a chance to meet with the Chorus members.
Principal Singer – Presenting Sponsor €5,000
Sponsorship of a principal singer is one of the most rewarding ways to invest both in BVOF and in the future of gifted artists who share their talents with our audiences each year. You can choose a principal female (soprano/mezzo-soprano) or male (baritone/tenor/bass) voice.
Benefits include a meeting with the singer, acknowledgement of your generous support in the festival programme and priority access to festival tickets.
Support Community and Education
BVOF Education Programme –
Principal Sponsor
€35,000
Our Education Programme has engaged with over 6,500 children and young people at the festival since its inception, delivering an enduring cultural and social impact. Students attend the schools’ opera night, free recital events, and can take part in ‘Discover Opera’ and ‘Discover Singing’ outreach programmes.
‘Discover Singing’ –Programme Partner
€10,000
‘Discover Singing’ is a participatory singing experience for primary school children, underpinned by the creative and imaginative world of opera and story through singing. Your support will help us to scale this project and reach more 3rd and 4th class local school children.
‘Discover Opera’ – Programme Partner
€15,000
‘Discover Opera’ brings children and their teachers into the curious and creative world of opera, exploring the music, story, and characters, visiting the opera set and meeting the BVOF cast and crew, led by a professional team of musician educators, in partnership with Music Generation Waterford. Your support will enable more schools to participate in the Discover Opera programme.
‘BVOF Open Air’ Sponsor (Cork)
€5,000
‘BVOF Open Air’ is a series of free outdoor lunchtime concerts taking place across Fermoy, Youghal and Castlemartyr.
Sponsorship benefits include branding at each venue and engagement with the singers and performers at each event.
“Children gained great insight and knowledge from Discover Opera and even got a backstage tour of the set.” “This made the opera more accessible and many of the children said it was the most magical night of their life! It was wonderful to hear students singing along to the arias they learned from the workshops during the dress rehearsal.”
Bunscoil Bhóthar na Naomh Lismore Co. Waterford
Individual Support
Individual supporters are the lifeblood of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival. Our generous donors and supporters are keeping opera alive in Ireland, for this and future generations.
Foundation Patrons
€10,000+
The generosity of our Foundation Patrons enables BVOF to bring new and established talent, exceptional music, and a momentous event each year and we are immensely grateful to them. Help us bring to life a partnership tailored to your philanthropic goals.
Foundation Supporters
€5,000
Our Foundation Supporters are passionate music lovers, who support and develop young and emerging musical talent. Their love of music ensures that this wonderful art form remains alive and their backing and endorsement is at the heart of everything we do.
Friends of BVOF receive complimentary festival programmes, priority booking, bespoke newsletter, and acknowledgement in the festival programme.
100+
Friends of BVOF
Shining Lights €1,200
Spotlights €750
Limelights €300
Leading Lights €100
Vital Lights €50 (under 35s)
Join our special community of Friends today at www.blackwatervalleyopera.ie
Corporate Sponsor About us
Join BVOF as a corporate sponsor or partner and we will help to align and promote your brand to our diverse festival audiences.
Enjoy brand visibility with on-site signage and programme advertising; product placement and sampling opportunities, recognition and exposure via digital and social media; partnership branding on our website and marketing collateral. Employee engagement opportunities can be arranged for your staff to volunteer at our festival and community projects.
Unique Hospitality Experiences
25 Key Sponsors
Including
◆ AIB
◆ Kildare Village
◆ Marsh
◆ MSL Mercedes
◆ Stonehage Fleming
◆ Waterford Whisky
◆ MSL Mercedes
Blackwater Valley Opera Festival is a truly unique opportunity to entertain your team, clients, and guests in the stunning surrounds of Lismore Castle, with superb dining experiences catered for by celebrity chef, Eunice Power.
The opera is an inspiring place for businesses to enjoy world-class corporate entertainment in a magical setting.
Benefits include:
◆ Premium tickets for the opera
◆ Bespoke corporate hospitality packages, pre-opera dining and drinks
◆ A private invitation to attend BVOF musical events throughout the year.
Founded in 2010, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival takes place over 8 days at the end of May/beginning of June each year . The impressive grounds of Lismore Castle is the festival’s home and The Old Stable provides a magical backdrop for our bespoke opera production, with four evening opera performances and a free performance for local schools.
5,000 Visitors
21 Events
12 Venues
8 Days
Our vibrant concert series takes place at Dromore Yard - a semi-restored 19th century farmyard building with sublime acoustics; and our recitals are hosted in historic homes and venues along the majestic Blackwater Valley.
BVOF is a leading light in the classical music and opera world in Ireland, contributing significantly to the economic, tourism and cultural growth from its base in County Waterford.
Thank you
We hope you are inspired by what we do and by our commitment to invest more than €5m on BVOF artistic, bursary and educational programmes over the next five years. To help us to achieve our goals we will need to raise €2.5m through philanthropic support, corporate partnerships and ‘Friends’ support across all annual levels.
If there is a programme or project area that you have a special interest in supporting, please talk to any member of the BVOF board or advisory board or contact Festival Director Eamonn Carroll on +353 87 2865207 or email eamonn@blackwatervalleyoperafestival.com.
Tax Efficient Support
BVOF is a registered charity in Ireland, Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20201139 CHY Num: 22220
If you are an Irish taxpayer, we can reclaim the tax paid on any gift of €250 or more on your behalf, significantly increasing the value of your original gift. Your gift can be made in the form of money or shares.
If you are a taxpayer in the U.K., you can route your gift through our charitable partnership with The Ireland Funds Great Britain, with tax advantages for both you and BVOF through Gift Aid.
If you are a taxpayer in the U.S., you can designate your gift to BVOF through our charitable partnership with The Ireland Funds America. As a 501(c)(3) organisation, contributions to The Ireland Funds are tax deductible and they will issue you with a formal tax receipt.
“The combination of an outdoor opera with wonderful fare in the magical setting of the Lismore castle gardens, is absolutely enchanting.”
