ALBERTO CARUSO

libretto Colm Tóibín

music Alberto Caruso

WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA 2024

director Aoife Spillane-Hinks 

“…celebrated Irish writer Colm Tóibín, with composer Alberto Caruso, has devised a witty, biting, one-act opera about Dublin’s Abbey theatre’s 1911 tour to the US with JM Synge’s controversial work The Playboy of the Western World. Lady Gregory in America is a beautifully fluent, lyrical hour, cleverly staged by Aoife Spillane-Hinks. A young cast is led by mezzo Erin Fflur as the redoubtable Augusta Gregory, making her defiant stand for art against US puritanism, alongside a standout performance from soprano Jane Burnell as the spirited actor Molly Allgood. Today’s America needs to see it.” ★★★★

▶︎ Stephen Pritchard, The Guardian

“… a deft and surprisingly moving libretto … Fluently directed by Aoife Spillane-Hinks, the piece rattles along appealingly ... with strong individual performances, especially from Jane Burnell as the actress Molly Allgood. This is Tóibín’s third opera — the next one deserves a bigger investment.” ★★★★☆

▶︎ Neil Fisher, The Times UK 

“… Caruso’s score was beautifully constructed to meet the twists and turns of the libretto and expertly captured the changing pace of the drama. It is lively, at times playful, and possesses a pleasing forward momentum. Although it is sensitive to the characters’ situations, Caruso was careful not to allow the sound to develop a pretentious quality in an attempt to provide more depth than is actually present. On the other hand, it was far more than simple background music; rather, it was a sensitive composition that worked in partnership with the text, and which allowed the drama to bloom. It was also not without a sprinkling of engaging, easy-on-the-ear melodies, especially for choral pieces… “Lady Gregory In America” is a strong opera from two artists with a natural feel for the stage and builds upon the success of their first collaboration, “The Master,” which was premiered at the festival two years ago. Hopefully, there is a third in the pipeline.” 

▶︎ Alan Neilson, OperaWire 

“…a colourful account of the fraught first stagings in America in 1911 of the now classic Irish play by J. M. Synge… It's a fascinating story… written for piano and played with fluent virtuosity by Caruso himself.

Aiofe Spillane-Hinks delivered a lively production to Lisa Krugel’s set and costumes, with standout performances from Erin Fflur (Lady Gregory), Jane Burnell (Molly Allgood), Henry Strutt (J.M. Kerrigan) and Bríd Ní Gruagháin (Mrs Kerrigan).” ★★★★ 

▶︎ George Hall, OperaNow

“…‘Lady Gregory in America’ is a feel-good one-act romantic comedy with a historical element rooted in a fascinating period of Irish history. Everybody delivers a top vocal and dramatic performance. Erin Fflur is a maternal Lady Gregory, … kindly yet with indomitable spirit.  Jane Burnell’s sweet, clear, unforced soprano voice endows Molly with a radiant benevolence that turns Kerrigan from boy to man… Henry Strutt’s tenor is a solid romantic lead and the Kerrigan character is believable as he grows through the opera, conquering a legacy of guilt and becoming a man… Bríd Ní Ghruagáin’s expressive mezzo gives us a mother driven to jealousy and desperate measures at the prospect of losing her son, but she too finds love.  A super performance.  The trios of actresses, cops, porters and reporters give opportunities for great ensemble numbers including a hilarious sextet, while the scope for romantic duets is fully exploited too.  This one-acter is a wee gem.  Full marks from me.” 

▶︎ Donal Hurley, Edinburgh Music Review

libretto Colm Tóibín

music Alberto Caruso

WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA 2022

director Conor Hanratty 

“Caruso Successfully Transforms Tóibín’s Novel About Henry James Into An Opera”

▶︎ Alan Neilson, Opera Wire

“The libretto by Irish author Colm Tóibín was frighteningly powerful” 

▶︎ Gerald Malone, Reaction 

“I'm not stoned, I'm just writing an opera!”

▶︎ Colm Tóibín, The Guardian

Interview: “Colm Tóibín: The new master of opera”

▶︎ Pavel Barter, The Sunday Times

“Caruso himself plays the piano score live and also directs the singers from his stool, an impressive feat over the 105 minutes” 

▶︎ Katy Hayes, The Independent

“… Caruso brought the full character of the score to light in his piano playing” 

“… everything that was needed to draw you in was there in the singing, in the beautiful period costume design, in the excellent choreography and direction by Conor Hanratty” 

▶︎ Noel Megahey, Opera Journal

Thomas Birch as Henry James

Annabella Vesela Ellis as Constance Fenimore Woolson

music and libretto

Alberto Caruso

WORLD PREMIERE

TOKYO CHAMBER OPERA  THEATRE

director Masayoshi Kuriyama

director William Butler

music Alberto Caruso

director Matthew Kohn

music Alberto Caruso