Offaly soprano to record with RTÉ Concert Orchestra

Offaly soprano Deirdre Higgins has been selected to record with the RTÉ Orchestra later this month.

In association with the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition and RTÉ Lyric FM, she is one of five singers who will have the opportunity to rehearse and record in Studio 1 of the RTÉ Radio Centre with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra under conductor Gavin Maloney.

The other competition winners are tenor Patrick Hyland from Kildare, tenor Seán Tester from Louth, tenor Cathal McCabe from Dublin, and baritone Seán Boylan from Meath.

The recordings, which will be showcased this spring across RTÉ lyric fm, from Marty in the Morning to Lorcan Murray’s Classic Drive, will include a selection of arias from Puccini, Mozart, Verdi, Gounod, Dvorak, and Charpentier. This is part of RTÉ lyric fm’s commitment to developing and nurturing emerging Irish talent.

Sinéad Wylde, Head of RTÉ lyric fm, said:

“At RTÉ Lyric FM, we have an important commitment to nurture new voices and give singers the opportunity to be heard on lyric fm at this early stage in their operatic careers.

"We have worked closely with Dearbhla Collins, Artistic Director of the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition, to identify this new generation of opera singers to introduce them to RTÉ Lyric FM listeners all over Ireland.

"This initiative will also help to develop their careers, providing each singer with a crafted studio broadcast recording which will no doubt lead to many more performance opportunities both in Ireland and internationally."

Dearbhla Collins, Artistic Director of the Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition, added:

“One tool that young singers are often missing in building their career and developing opportunities is excellent quality recordings, and to have the opportunity to create these with an orchestra of the quality of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra is an outstanding opportunity.”