Wexford Festival Opera has appointed Michael Hunt as its new chief executive. London-born Mr Hunt (48), currently director of the Theatre Royal in Waterford, has a long association with opera in Ireland.
He was the first producer of the popular, piano-accompanied Operatic Scenes at the Wexford Festival in 1982. He has directed for Opera Ireland and last year directed the first production for new Cork-based company, Opera 2005.
He founded the touring company, Co-Opera, and his new production (with Spraoi) of Puccini's Tosca opens in Waterford tonight. Mr Hunt will lead the Wexford Festival organisation through the building and opening of a new €33 million theatre in time for the 2008 festival.
