More than 5,500 visitors are set to descend on Waterford and east Cork for a week of opera, music, culture and dining experiences.
This year's Blackwater Valley Opera Festival will feature more than 100 artists and over 75 hours of live performance across Lismore, Dungarvan, Youghal and Castlemartyr.
Running from today until 1 June, four operatic productions will be at the heart of the festival.
Among this year's highlights is Mozart's 'Don Giovanni' at Lismore Castle, conducted by Peter Whelan and directed by Tom Creed, with the Irish Baroque Orchestra.
The week-long festival will also feature Handel's 'Acis and Galatea' at St Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore, also performed with the Irish Baroque Orchestra.
Dromore Yard on the banks of the Blackwater River will play host to a number of concerts with a series of other operas and recitals to take place across the west Waterford and east Cork region.
The festival places a strong focus on emerging talent and awards a number of bursaries each year to support the next generation of Irish performers.
Many previous bursary winners feature at this year's festival.
An educational programme that has taken place over recent months has also seen hundreds of local primary and post-primary students take part in workshops and performances.
It will culminate at the festival's opening ceremony in Lismore, with the 400 or so students meeting the cast of the headline opera, creating props, viewing costumes and also experiencing a live opera production.
Some of the students will also perform at the opening ceremony alongside several of the festival's professional artists.
Festival Director Eamonn Carroll said today will be "hugely exciting" as the Blackwater Valley "comes alive" with music and audiences from near and far.
'We're incredibly proud of the calibre of artists performing this year and the richness of the programme," he said.
He added: "There's an incredible atmosphere across the week - whether you're coming to see an opera, concert, recital, a free daytime event, or joining us as we introduce the new Blackwater Valley Opera Festival Castleacre Volunteer Recognition Award.
"There is something for everyone. We would encourage people to come along, experience it for themselves, and be part of what makes this festival so unique."
The full programme of events can be found on the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival website.
