MORE than 400 people crowded into a marquee on the grounds of Glin Castle, Co Limerick, on Saturday evening for a performance by Pimlico Opera Company, London, with full orchestra, of Mozart's Don Giovanni.
This rare appearance in Ireland by an English opera company is part of a fund raising drive by Glin Community Development Association and the Knight of Glin to cover the cost of restoring St Paul's Church, a 19th century building, as a heritage centre.
The singers included Jozik Koc (baritone), Fiona McAndrews and Ashley Thornbury (sopranos), Charlotte Page, Jennifer Akhurst, Michael Bennett and Nicholas Garnett.
The Knight of Glin, Mr Desmond Fitzgerald, said St Paul's Church is of unusual design, the work of J.E. Rogers of Dublin, and features stained glass windows by John Hardman of Birmingham and A.W.N. Pugin.
Capt Kevin Donnelly, former Limerick Harbourmaster, will give a talk on Glin and the Shannon Estuary tomorrow night as part of the fund raising effort.