Mountrath soprano Caoimhe Fitzpatrick due to perform in Portarlington soireé tonight
Mountrath native Caoimhe Fitzpatrick is due to perform at a choral soireé tonight in Portarlington.
Talented young soprano, Caoimhe Fitzpatrick from Mountrath, is set to take the stage tonight as part of a choral soireé with the Portarlington Community Choir.
The 19-year-old, who recently completed her first year studying music and English at Maynooth University will perform a program featuring opera, musical theatre and religious hymns.
The concert begins at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7pm.
For Caoimhe, music has been a lifelong passion.
“I’ve been singing a long time. According to my parents, I’ve been singing since I could talk,” Caoimhe said.
Her musical talent runs in the family, with her great-grandmother on her fathers side also a soprano. Caoimhe began taking singing lessons at age 6 under the guidance of her vocal coach Patricia Finnegan-Newell, whom she credits as having a major influence on her development as a singer.
“I really owe so much gratitude to Patricia, she is an incredible vocal coach and continues to help me discover parts of my voice that I didn’t know existed,” she said.
Over the years, Caoimhe has built an impressive list of achievements. She has won numerous awards at Feis Ceoil, Ireland’s largest classical music competition, including the prestigious Patricia Black Cup and several medals.
Earlier this year, she was awarded third place in the adult classical voice competition at the New Park festival of music in Dublin.
Her passion for music has also led her to become involved with a number of renowned choirs. She previously performed with the Irish youth choir and is currently a member of the award winning Maynooth University chamber choir.
Caoimhe has been a featured soloist with Maynooth University choir on several occasions, including an international performance trip to Paris this year.
“It was quite literally living the dream getting to perform and travel at the same time,” Caoimhe said.
Closer to home, she has enjoyed a variety of memorable performances, including appearances at Forest Fest in Emo, the Rose of Tralee’s visit to Birr Castle demesne, and the Rise Foundation’s annual gatherings in Dublin organised by Senator Frances Black.
She has also spent more than a decade performing as a guest soloist with Portlaoise singers choir.
“They are an amazing choir who quite literally watched me grow up”, Caoimhe explained.
A former student of Mountrath Community School, she has always been passionate about opera, though recently rediscovered her love for musical theatre when she played Jenny Lind in her school’s production of The Greatest Showman.
“I am very passionate about opera and always have been. However, last year I got to play the role of Jenny Lind in my secondary school’s production of The Greatest Showman and it really reminded me of my love for musical theatre and for acting as well,” she said.
Looking to the future, Caoimhe hopes music will remain part of her career.
“I would love to make a full time career out of performing. Secondary school teaching may also be on the cards as I have a keen interest in music education, but at the moment I’m keeping my options open. Who knows what the future will hold.”
She added that performing for audiences remains the most rewarding part of singing.
“My favourite part about singing is interacting with the audience and getting to share my love of music with other people. It’s a huge part of the art form.”
You can watch some of Caoimhe’s performances on her instagram.
Ahead of tonight's performance, Caoimhe said she is excited to share the stage with fellow musicians.