The Audience reacts to The Flying Dutchman

“it’s a real marriage of music and drama, drawing you into Wagner’s retelling of an old legend” - The Irish Times - David Byers ★★★★

“Francis O’Connor’s sets and costumes are highly effective, from the dramatic red sails and black sou’westers to the centre-stage tilted lookout mast of Daland’s ship and the nearby wheelhouse” - The Irish Times - David Byers ★★★★

“tenor Gavan Ring, in fine voice as Daland’s confident Steersman, fearlessly climbs up that mast several times during the storms, singing as he does so” - The Irish Times - David Byers ★★★★

“the American bass James Creswell, with a rich, resonant voice – captures the essence of a leader of men” - The Irish Times - David Byers ★★★★

“The American baritone Jordan Shanahan is that strange Dutchman, projecting his well-focused voice easily. He brings authority and great intensity to the lengthy duet with Senta at the end of the second act” - The Irish Times - David Byers ★★★★

“Giselle Allen, as Senta, is a commanding and dramatic presence throughout, both vocally and as a character” - The Irish Times - David Byers ★★★★

“Mary, Senta’s nurse, is sung with a lovely lightness of touch by the mezzo-soprano Carolyn Dobbin” - The Irish Times - David Byers ★★★★

“(The INO orchestra) Tempi flow naturally and orchestral colours are well delineated, with clear-sounding strings and confident brass” - The Irish Times - David Byers ★★★★

“a captivating, triumphant debut for Irish National Opera’s exploration of Wagner. The resounding takeaway is clear: Ireland deserves more Wagner – sooner rather than later.” - Bachtrack - Andrew Larkin ★★★★

“Jordan Shanahan imbued the Dutchman with both power and pathos, his voice rich and resonant across all registers” - Bachtrack - Andrew Larkin ★★★★

“Toby Spence (...) his tenor voice was striking in its raw power and his dramatic portrayal captured Erik’s desperation with palpable intensity.” - Bachtrack - Andrew Larkin ★★★★

“The INO Chorus, divided between sailors, ghostly off-stage crew and the fishmonger women, delivered a performance full of vitality.” - Bachtrack - Andrew Larkin ★★★★

“conductor Fergus Sheil drew out the full emotional and musical richness of Wagner’s score” - Bachtrack - Andrew Larkin ★★★★

“It's heavy metal opera” - The Irish Examiner - Alan O'Riordan ★★★★

“a highly-enjoyable production” - The Irish Examiner - Alan O'Riordan ★★★★

“The design by Francis O’Connor is rich in details” - The Irish Examiner - Alan O'Riordan ★★★★

“Hewer, unlike perhaps Daland, runs a tight ship here, and assuredly steers course for the tragic denouement of a satisfying production.” - The Irish Examiner - Alan O'Riordan ★★★★