Irish National Opera in association with
Galway International Arts Festival

Testament

composer Tarik O’Regan
libretto Colm Tóibín
director Rachael Hewer
conductor Elaine Kelly

An intimate and powerful meditation on memory, grief and truth, this provocative chamber opera composed by Tarik O’Regan with a libretto by Colm Tóibín adapted from his novella The Testament of Mary, unfolds in the final years of Mary, mother of Jesus.

In later life, Mary reflects on the events surrounding her son’s death. Living in enforced exile and silenced, the past and present coexist uneasily as Mary moves between two worlds where pivotal moments from their lives emerge and dissolve, tracing the fragile boundary between lived experience and remembered truth.

Critically acclaimed Irish mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty sings the role of Mary.

Testament is sung in English with English surtitles and features the Irish National Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

Testament in Rehearsals

Accessibility Info

The venue is wheelchair accessible.

  • Parking: Pay and display parking is available. Free parking after 5.30 pm
  • Free parking on Saturdays and Sundays

Additional info for this event

Accessibility
  • Open Captions icon Open Captions
  • Wheelchair Accessible icon Wheelchair Accessible

Creative Team

Composer Tarik O’Regan
Libretto
Colm Tóibín
Director
Rachael Hewer
Conductor
Elaine Kelly
Set
Design Francis O'Connor
Costume
Design Joan O'Clery
Lighting Design Kevin Treacy
Sound Design David Sheppard
Movement Director Emma Woods
Répétiteur Aoife Moran
Assistant
Director Chris Kelly

Cast

Mary Sharon Carty Mezzo-soprano
Martha Deirdre Higgins Soprano
Sister Sarah Luttrell Mezzo-soprano
Paul Oisín Ó Dálaigh Tenor
Marcus Ben Escorcio Tenor
John David Kennedy Baritone
Child Rowan Crowley

INO Chorus
Soprano
Caroline Behan, Deirdre Higgins, Megan O'Neill, Niamh St John
Mezzo-soprano Sarah Kilcoyne, Sarah Luttrell, Bríd Ní Ghruagáin, Heather Sammon
Tenor David Corr, Ben Escorcio, Oisín Ó Dálaigh, William Pearson
Bass Adam Cahill, David Kennedy, Maksym Lozovyi, David Scott

INO Orchestra
Violin Sarah Sew
Viola Andreea Banciu
Cello David Edmonds
Flute/Piccolo Lina Andonovska
Clarinet Conor Sheil
Mandolin Ariel Hernandez
Accordion Dermot Dunne

Post-show talk with the company on Friday 24 July

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • This production features English surtitles.