Rising opera star Mary McCabe knows how to make an entrance. The soprano from Downpatrick sweeps into the downtown café, with a bouquet, looking dramatic. She can’t wait to talk about her new role, Tatyana, in Northern Ireland Opera’s Eugene Onégin by Tchaikovsky. “It’s a dream role and it suits my voice. The character is so beautiful, she’s a bit of a daydreamer and a wee country girl at the start who wears her heart on her sleeve, that I can relate to.” Our heroine falls head over heels for Mr Onegin and writes to him, declaring her love in a famous aria. “I sing for about fifteen minutes in act one, she’s pouring her heart and soul into that letter and I can relate to that too. It’s really passionate and she just has to tell him how she feels even though she’s just met him.”
How McCabe feels about her first lead role is equally heartfelt. “I was elated. I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life and have to pinch myself. It’s amazing, to be taking o...