The natives are clearly getting restless writes Michael Dervan. The Arts Council has come in for public criticism about funding levels at two recent festival press launches and who can take issue with complaints about real cuts implemented through standstill grants? It remains a matter of some wonder that the council can manage to generate such bad feeling when it's in the business of giving away money.
Standstill grant or no, Wexford Festival director Luigi Ferrari has managed some impressive innovations in this year's programme, which runs from October 17th to November 3rd. Ninety minute, original language performances of four standard repertoire works (Eugene Onegin, Don Pasquale, La boheme, and Werther, each getting four performances) will replace the Operatic Scenes. The strong Czech flavour of the concert events will bring performances of Smetana's full Mavlast, Janacek's Diary of one who disappeared as well as large scale works by Dvofak and Liszt. And the weekday lunchtime concerts have also been upgraded. The main operas are Donizetti Parisina, Meyer beer's L'Etoile dri Nord and Fibich's Sarka. Ring the festival box office on 053-2144 for details, or to have your name added to the free mailing list.
More news from the south east is that Waterford Corporation is to appoint a brass musician in residence in conjunction with the city's RTC. The appointment, which is for the period October 1996 to April 1997, is maimed at broadening music appreciation, raising standards of musicianship locally and developing new initiatives" The musician in residence will work with city bands, spend one day a week with music students at WRTC and "explore the possibility of establishing a youth wind training band". Details can be had from Mary McAuliffe, Arts Officer, Waterford Corporation (051-73501, ext 489).
