Blackwater Valley Opera’s centrepiece in its tenth year is Donizetti’s frothy comedy, Don Pasquale, a cautionary tale about a foolish old man who attempts to thwart the course of true love and gets his comeuppance.

Balmy temperatures, no rain to spoil the party and a minister bearing a gift of a million euro - the omens were good at the opening night of WexfordFestival. Families out for an evening stroll mingled with opera-goers in posh frocks and tux at the hurdy-gurdies on the waterfront and local troubadours on guitar and keyboards warmed up the crowd before the opening fireworks lit up the clear skies.