Opera couple are on song
OPERA singers Gavan Ring and Nicola Mulligan wooed the judges as they were named as the winners of the TG4 search for Ireland’s most talented family ‘Realta agus Gaolta’.
The couple, who live in Carlingford, sang ‘Nessun Dorma’, which they had performed in the first heat, winning a place in the semi-final, and ‘Libiamo ne lieti calici’ from Verdi’s La Traviata. They were presented with a trophy at the final which was broadcast on Sunday night, having been recorded before a live audience some weeks ago in the RTE studios before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Having had to keep their success quiet before the final episode was screened, the couple expressed their delight on social media, with Gavan admitted that they were ‘Gobsmacked’ to have won, while Nicola expressed her thanks ‘ to the lovely production team at TG4 and the fabulous judges for this lovely honour’.
While families and friends had travelled to the RTE studios to support them, the couple got the chance to watch the final in the comfort of their home with their two young daughters Clara and Ava.
‘It was wonderful to bring something operatic to TG4,’ says Kerry native Gavan, who is a fluent Irish speaker.
As winners, they now get the chance to perform with country star Nathan Carter in The Waterfront, Belfast and Vicar Street, Dublin later this year.
They are looking forward to bringing opera to an audience which mightn’t otherwise get the opportunity to experience it, just as they were delighted to sing operatic arias on ‘Realta
agus Gaolta’.