To mark 30 years of the Samaritans service in Athlone, a concert will take place in the surrounds of the Franciscan Friary on Thursday, February 24.
Performing on the occasion will be Irish tenor, Dr Gavan Ring, who first performed at the Samaritans concert in 2004.
From Cahersiveen in County Kerry, Dr Ring studied at the Schola Cantorum at St Finian’s College Mullingar before reading education and music at Dublin City University. Gavan is also the first opera singer and the youngest graduate to complete doctoral studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
His Concert highlights include performances with the London Symphony Orchestra at the BBC Proms and Lucerne Festival, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment at the Royal Festival Hall and the Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra. Recital work includes regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and RTÉ Lyric FM plus appearances at Wigmore Hall, the Oxford Lieder Festival and the Ludlow English Song Festival. Opera highlights include leading roles at Opéra Royal de Versailles, Glyndebourne, Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, OperaNorth, Garsington Opera, Wexford Festival Opera and Opera Holland Park.
During the concert, musical entertainment will, as is traditional, be provided by the Band of the 2nd Brigade conducted by Captain Tom Kelly and the Athlone Pipe Band. The compere on the night will be Teresa Bell.
In the light of current public health concerns, the following adjustments to normal arrangements are be undertaken - the number of tickets available for the concert will be limited and are available only through the Friary office.
Priced at €15, tickets will not be available at the door on the evening of the concert and all attendees will be requested to wear face coverings.
The concert will last approximately 80 minutes and there will be no interval.
The Samaritans are available 24/7 on freecall 116 123.
