TULLAMORE man Tom Roche, the well known environmental campaigner, is now using his singing talents as a member of the prestigious Tallaght Choral Society.
At the moment Tom and the other performers are “flat out” rehearsing for Handel's Messiah which is scheduled for Sunday, April 14 at 7pm in the Helix Theatre, Dublin.
Tom says Tallaght Choral Society is blessed to have secured world-class Irish soloists Sharon Carty (alto), Claudia Boyle (soprano), Andrew Gavin (tenor) and of course Offaly’s own John Molloy (bass), from Birr, to perform in what will be a very special occasion marking 800 years of the Dominican Order in Ireland.
The year 2024 is the 800th anniversary of the Dominican Order coming to Ireland and Tom says the performance by the 120-member choir promises to be “unforgettable”.
Rehearsals have been going on every Monday night since September last year and because Tom is from Offaly, he has been putting up the publicity posters around the county.
Tom described Birr singer John Molloy as a world class soloist and also noted that the show in the Helix will be conducted by Lynsey Callaghan, who he says is an “inspirational powerhouse of creative musical energy”.
Not only that, the music is being provided by the acclaimed Irish Choral Sinfonia.
Tom is hoping Offaly people will take up the opportunity of hearing John Molloy, the choir and the orchestra in a “once in an 800-year performance”.
“In most of Handel's oratorios, the soloists dominate and the choir sings only brief choruses,” he says.
“But in Messiah, says Laurence Cummings, director of the London Handel Orchestra, 'the chorus propels the work forward with great emotional impact and uplifting messages'.”
Tom Roche is a native of Chapel Street, Tullamore. An accomplished furniture restorer, his passion for environmentalism, conservation and justice inspired him to found Just Forests.
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Tickets for the performance of Handel's Messiah in the Helix are now on sale