One of the longest-established music festivals in Ireland gets underway tonight when the curtain rises on the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera for the 43rd time.
According to the festival chairman, Mr Maurice Cummins, it has been running longer than the Rose of Tralee and has never missed a year since first staged in 1959.
Its unbroken presence was considered particularly valuable at the height of the Troubles, when operatic societies from both sides of the divide in the North continued to travel to Waterford in a spirit of friendship.
This year's Northern entrant, the Belfast Operatic Company, will conclude the event with a concert on Sunday week, September 30th.
First to take the stage tonight will be the Carrick-on-Suir Amateur Operatic Society, twice winner of the international trophy, with a performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Groups from Ireland and England will follow with performances each night and the adjudicator, Ms Beryl Dixon, will announce the award winners on the final night.
While most festivals claim annually to get bigger and better, the Waterford festival has some justification this year, as the largest ever programme of fringe events takes place around the 12 nights of light opera.
The only shadow over the festival remains its inability to attract Arts Council funding because it is classified an amateur event. Mr Cummins said while the groups performing were amateurs, there was also a huge professional input including the festival orchestra. He was hopeful the Arts Council would support it in the future.
Some shows are sold out but there are tickets available for others. Inquiries can be made to the Theatre Royal at 051874402.