Irish National Opera presents a special Gala Concert for one night only at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, on Thursday 28 May. Bringing together world-renowned Mexican tenor Rolando Villazón and Irish mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy,
Rolando Villazón makes his INO debut appearance as one of the most recognised tenors of his generation. Across a 25-year international career, he has performed in many of the world’s leading opera houses and has also established himself as a stage director, novelist, artistic director and television and radio presenter. In the 2025-26 season, his engagements include Pelléas in Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande at the Vienna State Opera and Eisenstein in Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus at Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich. He also makes his directing debut at New York’s Metropolitan Opera with Bellini’s La sonnambula.
He is joined by Irish mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy, a frequent collaborator with Irish National Opera. Murrihy made her INO debut in the company’s first season in 2018 as Judith in Bluebeard’s Castle and has since returned for major roles in Carmen and Der Rosenkavalier. Her career has taken her to leading international stages including the Royal Ballet and Opera at Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera, Opéra national de Paris, the Bolshoi Theatre, Gran Teatre del Liceu, Opernhaus Zürich and the Salzburg Festival.
Soprano Ava Dodd makes her Irish National Opera debut in this concert. Ava was announced last year as Classic FM’s Rising Stars 30 Musicians under 30 who are evolving the classical music landscape. Recent appearances include Tilburina in Stanford’s The Critic as part of Wexford Festival Opera in 2024 and Adina in Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love for English National Opera in 2025
The concert is conducted by Ryan McAdams, principal conductor of Ireland’s Crash Ensemble, whose work spans opera, symphonic repertoire and contemporary music. For INO, Ryan most recently conducted Beatrice & Benedict at the National Concert Hall, with the Arts Desk describing his performance as “a revelation”.
This Gala Concert offers Dublin audiences a unique opportunity to hear three distinguished vocal artists with the Irish National Opera Orchestra in the setting of the Gaiety Theatre. For one night only, the Gaiety Theatre will host a gala concert bringing together three exceptional vocal artists and the Irish National Opera Orchestra.
Rolando Villazón, Paula Murrihy and Ava Dodd will perform in what promises to be a memorable evening of opera in the heart of Dublin. Book your tickets now and experience a night of music, drama and world-class singing. This is a rare opportunity, and one not to be missed.
