Following its critically-acclaimed sold-out world-premiere run at Galway International Arts Festival in July, Testament, the new opera by Tarik O’Regan with a libretto by Colm Tóibín, moves to Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre for three performances from 8–10 October 2026 as part of Dublin Theatre Festival. Irish National Opera presents the world premiere production.
Testament is an intimate and powerful meditation on memory, grief and truth, composed O’Regan, with a libretto by 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.
"Grippingly intense"
The Irish Times
"Delightfully inventive contemporary opera score gets a superb premiere."
Irish Independent Review
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Testament | 24 July - 10 October 2026 | Tickets
Critically acclaimed Irish mezzo-soprano Sharon Carty sings the role of Mary, with Irish GRAMMY Award nominee Elaine Kelly conducting. Directed by Rachael Hewer, Testament features members of the Irish National Opera Orchestra and Chorus. 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.
Giving Mary a Voice: Colm Tóibín and Tarik O’Regan on Testament | News | Irish National Opera
CAST
Mary Sharon Carty
Martha Deirdre Higgins
Sister Sarah Luttrell
Paul Oisín Ó Dálaigh
Marcus Ben Escorcio
John David Kennedy
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
