“Hirda is a warm, affectionate and delightful ode to Shetland that enraptured the audience, nearly brought the house down from the immense and sustained applause, and deserves a place in the cultural pantheon of the isles.”

​

Alex Garrick-Wright, The Shetland Times

★ ★ ★ ★

​

“Glasgow company NOISE aim to create nimble opera for new audiences. Hirda was as accessible as it was intended to be.”

​

Kate Molleson, The Guardian

★ ★ ★ ★

​

“There is a strange magic to Hirda, a beguiling adventure across classical and folk boundaries. The haunting blend of the voices and the music is still ringing in my head.”

​

David Smythe, Bachtrack

★ ★ ★ ★

​

“this brand new opera feels like it’s got true Shetland blood pulsing fiercely through its veins”

“soaring, heartstring-pulling music, enormously powerful in conveying the opera’s intense emotions.”
 
David Kettle, The Scotsman

★ ★ ★ ★

​

“Tilts at contemporary Scottish opera are not exactly uncommon, but this NOISE company commission from a composing team of Chris Stout and Gareth Williams with a libretto by Sian Evans sets and meets its own high standards.”

​

“Stout and Williams have combined their talents in a style that sets a benchmark for traditional and classical collaboration.”

​

Keith Bruce, Herald Scotland

“unites Scottish folk music and Shetland dialect with the classical forces of chamber opera, making for a potent brew.”

“Hirda deserves to go places.”

​

Andrew Clark, Opera Magazine