Kerry opera singer wins TG4 music show

OPERA singing will join forces with country music later this year when a very talented opera singer from Kerry takes to the stage with country music star Nathan Carter.

Opera singers Gavan Ring from Cahersiveen and his wife, Nicola from Louth, hope to perform live this summer with Nathan Carter after the talented couple won TG4 Réalta agus Gaolta show earlier this month.

The couple were asked to take part in the family music show by TG4 but never thought they would actually win given that such shows generally focus on the traditional genre of music rather than opera singing. However, to their surprise, the couple won the talent competition.

“We are thrilled... The premise is families performing together. There were hundreds of families. We never thought we would win as our act [opera singing] is very different,” said Gavan.

“We were bowled over. The show was tremendous fun.”

The prize was to perform with Nathan Carter at concerts in Dublin and Belfast in June and July, if they go ahead.

Gavin said this is a wonderful opportunity to bring opera singing to a mainstream audience, not something it enjoys too often.

“Opera is our passion, and we want to show the world that. This is a gateway to bring it to the front and centre. It doesn’t get the limelight,” said Gavan. Gavan’s wife, Nicola, runs the Cooley Singing Academy in Carlingford in Louth, where they now live, and they are currently offering singing lessons online during the crisis if anyone from Kerry wants to get instruction from two of Ireland’s most talented. This can be arranged via (085) 147 7164.