Critics react to Norma
Wednesday, 27 May, 2026
Norma is at the Gaiety Theatre from 24 - 30 May, at the National Opera House in Wexford on 3 June and at Cork Opera House on 6 June 2026.
“Georgian soprano Salome Jicia rises magnificently to the occasion (...) by the final curtain, one is left simply in awe at her stamina and vocal agility” - Irish Examiner - Alan O'Riordan ★★★★
“it shows just how malleable opera can be – how it can be reframed and repositioned in relation to the world we inhabit” - Irish Examiner - Alan O'Riordan ★★★★
“the two sopranos weave through scene after scene, their voices beautifully complementary, Stagg proving a superb vocal artist in her own right” - Irish Examiner - Alan O'Riordan ★★★★
“The Irish National Opera Orchestra, under the sure hand of veteran maestro Maurizio Benini, is fully alive to Bellini's beautiful melodies” - Irish Examiner - Alan O'Riordan ★★★★
Read the full review from The Irish Examiner here.
“Salome Jicia surmounts every vocal challenge of the role” - The Irish Times - Michael Dungan ★★★
“INO also succeeds in surrounding Jicia with a well-matched trio of supporting singers. The tenor Mario Chang, as Pollione, and the bass William Guanbo Su, as the father, Oroveso, both (...) powerful voices” - The Irish Times - Michael Dungan ★★★
“there is an overall high quality of dramatic presentation, notably of facial expression, under the direction of Orpha Phelan” - The Irish Times - Michael Dungan ★★★
“the chorus, in fine form both dramatically and musically while ranging from robust and bellicose to tender and even vulnerable” - The Irish Times - Michael Dungan ★★★
Read the full review from The Irish Times here.
“all the principles are starkly expressive” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“Salome Jicia as Norma explores the passages of coloratura in high style” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“Siobhan Stagg (soprano) as the upstart Adalgisa is as good an actor as a singer and the two women's duets are superb” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“Mario Chang as Pollione adds a nice bit of macho swagger to his dramatic tenor voice” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
“The large chorus are vocally subtle and versatile, with much dynamic stage business and action” - Irish Independent - Katy Hayes
Read the full review from the Irish Independent here.
“Norma (...) packs a knockout punch” - The Arts Review - Chris O'Rourke ★★★
“a superb performance by soprano Siobhan Stagg” - The Arts Review - Chris O'Rourke ★★★
“Mira, o Norma with Jicia and Stagg, heartbreakingly gorgeous” - The Arts Review - Chris O'Rourke ★★★