Irish National Opera presents the world premiere production of Testament this season in Galway and Dublin.
Testament is an intimate and powerful meditation on memory, grief and truth, composed by Tarik O’Regan, with a libretto by Colm Tóibín adapted from his novella The Testament of Mary. The story unfolds in the final years of Mary, mother of Jesus.
Past and present coexist uneasily as Mary moves between two worlds, reliving her son’s final days while exiled and silenced years later. Around her, pivotal moments from their lives emerge and dissolve, tracing the fragile boundary between lived experience and remembered truth.
Testament | 24 July - 10 October 2026 | Tickets
Irish GRAMMY Award nominee Elaine Kelly conducts Testament and Rachael Hewer (The Flying Dutchman, 2025) directs. Set design is by Francis O'Connor, costume design by Joan O'Clery, lighting design by Kevin Treacy, sound design by David Sheppard and choreography by Emma Woods.
Testament is sung in English with English surtitles and features members of the Irish National Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
Presented in association with Galway International Arts Festival and Dublin Theatre Festival.
Creative Team
Composer Tarik O'Regan
Librettist Colm Tóibín
Conductor Elaine Kelly
Director Rachael Hewer
Set Designer Francis O'Connor
Costume Designer Joan O'Clery
Lighting Designer Kevin Treacy
Sound Designer David Sheppard
Choreographer / Movement Director Emma Woods
Répétiteur Aoife Moran
Assistant Director Chris Kelly