Nathan at St Columba’s

ST Columba’s Church will be transformed with festive flair for a very special concert by Clare soprano Regina Nathan.

The Kilmurry McMahon singer will return to the Ennis venue for what is hoped to become an annual event.
Regina will be appearing at the Church of Ireland venue on November 27, having performed in Kilrush’s Teach Cheoil the previous evening.
“I performed at both venues last year in the run-up to Christmas and both the concerts were a wonderful experience.
“The audiences really seemed to enjoy the music and St Columba’s was decorated beautifully, lending a real festive air. I was hoping that they could both become an annual event.
“I used to be involved in a recital club in Dublin and it was lovely, with people joining in and getting really involved.
“People who wouldn’t normally come to recitals came along and it became a real social event and I always said I would love to do something like that here.
“They would host events about three or four times a year and people just loved to come.
“I thought to myself, if I could start with a Christmas recital and try and make it an annual thing, then people would know about it and start coming along.
“People have a tendency to be a bit scared of recitals and think that they’re a bit uppity but that isn’t the case at all and that’s what events like these are all about. I want these concerts to be an event where people feel comfortable and relaxed,” Regina said.
There are hopes in the future to branch out and hold a summer concert, which could then turn into another annual event, she revealed.
She insisted that the upcoming Christmas concert would have something for everyone. “People will be very familiar with the songs that will be performed. These won’t be heavy songs, there will be a real variety.”
Last year the concerts were closer to Christmas but I feel that people have so much to do in the run-up to the festive season that it would be much nicer to have the concerts that little bit earlier this year. This will give people a chance to ease themselves into the Christmas season, giving them lots of time to savour the festivities,” Regina said.
Both concerts will feature a variety of guest performers. Performing at St Columba’s will be the Clare Music Circle and barbershop group Chill while the Kilrush event will feature violinist Bryonie Hopper and singer Katie O’Donoghue.
“The first half of the concerts will feature lighter, popular songs while the second half will have more of a Christmassy feel, with plenty of songs that people will know. This concert will definitely help people get into the Christmas spirit,” added Regina.
Regina has a very busy Christmas ahead, as not only is she performing in Clare, she will also be performing Handel’s Messiah with the Limerick Chamber Orchestra in UCH and in the RDS in December.
Regina’s career in opera, concert and recital has taken her around Ireland across Europe and as far as Kuala Lumpur and New York’s Carnegie Hall.
For details of Regina’s performances at both St Columba’s, Bindon Street, Ennis and Teach Cheoil, Kilrush, contact Joe on 087 7465966.