It’s a 16th-century love story that first premiered over 162 years ago – but with its razor-sharp wit, and ever-relevant insights into the art of romance, Hector Berlioz’s lively opera Beatrice & Benedict is still more than capable of delighting and enthralling a modern audience.

Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice & Benedict follows the two titular characters in their roundabout route to romance – with playful banter and insults disguising true feelings of love and affection.

“There’s a very strong one-upmanship between her and Benedict all the time,” reflects Paula Murrihy, who’s set to take on the role of Beatrice in an upcoming concert performance of the opera at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on October 1. “Both of them keep up this pretence, that they have absolutely no interest in one another – so it’s very funny, and very sweet.”

The Tralee-born mezzo-soprano – who I’ve caught between rehearsals for another opera in Frankfurt – enjoys a remarkably busy career at the highest level in both Europe and the US, performing at the world’s finest opera houses. But she can’t wait to come home to Ireland for this special, one-night-only performance of Beatrice & Benedict – which will also see renowned Irish actress Fiona Shaw taking on the role of the narrator.

“She’s iconic, right?!” Paula enthuses. “She’s just a legend. To have her on stage, taking everyone through the story, is going to add another completely fabulous element to the whole event. It’s going to be a really complete evening of entertainment and storytelling.”

As a concert performance, the event will feature the orchestra playing on stage alongside the singers, rather than being positioned below in the pit.

“So you’re going to be able to see and hear the woodwinds, the strings, and everybody else involved in the conversation,” Paula explains. “You’ll be able to really see all the elements coming together on stage.

“The music of Berlioz is so exciting and colourful,” she adds. “He invites you in with his imagination, and there’s this really fantastical quality to the orchestration. It just so happens that this will be my third Berlioz role in the past 18 months – I just adore singing his music so much!”

Paula wasn’t raised around opera, however – having initially connected with traditional music as a child, attending classes at Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, in her hometown of Tralee. As a teenager, she began classical singing at the Kerry School of Music, before going on to attend DIT Conservatory of Music (now part of TU Dublin). It wasn't until her college years in Dublin – before heading off to Boston to complete further studies at the New England Conservatory – that she saw her first opera, at the Gaiety Theatre.

From there, she’s clocked up countless career highlights – including performing at the prestigious Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

“That was a big moment,” she recalls. “I remember stepping out onto the stage in rehearsal, and the house lights were on – so I could see how big the theatre was. It’s huge. I just remember standing there, thinking, ‘I can’t believe I’m here…’”

These days, she’s been inspired to see how Irish National Opera is playing a major role in making opera feel more accessible to Irish people than ever.

“By touring productions, they’re really exposing many more people to the art-form,” Paula says. “They’re also being so creative with the type of repertoire that they’re offering. As an Irish person who sings a lot abroad, it’s lovely to be able to come home, and do something like this. It really feels like a celebration.”

The concert performance of Beatrice & Benedict takes place at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on Tuesday, October 1.