Sir, – There have been many stars in the Irish firmament recently – McIlroy, Niland, etc. One has received scant attention – Máire Flavin, the Irish mezzo- soprano who represented Ireland in the recent BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition which shortlists from 600 of the best young singers in the world.
She reached the final five in the song competition (once won by Bryn Terfel) and received praise from the renowned vocal coach, Mary King, who described her as “absolutely a class act”. To get into the final straight, in a competition rated by many as the best of its kind in the world, with a distinguished jury headed by Kiri Te Kanawa, is a tremendous achievement. The fact she bought her dress from a charity shop for €40 suggests that she is a very down-to- earth diva who also has an eye for a sensitive symbol of the Ireland of today, which she represented so magnificently.
I suspect we shall hear a lot more of this glorious singer in the years ahead. – Yours, etc,