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.

Irish GRAMMY Award nominee Elaine Kelly conducts Irish National Opera’s Testament. Rachael Hewer (The Flying Dutchman 2025) directs, with set design 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.

Post-show talk with the company Fri 24 July in Galway.

Presented in association with Galway International Arts Festival 

Irish National Opera gratefully acknowledges the late Timothy King, whose generosity supported the commissioning of the work. 

The development of this opera was also supported by The British Council.

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