Carreras gives memorable performance to adoring aficionados

BOUQUETS and red roses thrown onto the stage by adoring aficionados capped a memorable performance by Jose Carreras at the INEC in Killarney on Saturday night.

The capacity audience of 2,000 were enthralled by the world-renowned Spanish tenor, who left the stage after three encores, several standing ovations and pleas for more.

People had travelled from across the country for a rare opportunity to see the 57-year-old operatic star.

And the journey was worth it.

From the moment he stepped onto the stage, Carreras, accompanied by an Italian string quartet, was in total control, opening the programme with Costa’s Serenata Napolitana.

The evening rolled on smoothly and the encores included Un Ombra, Core N’grato and Vierno.

Killarney opera buff Pa O’Brien had previously seen Carreras in Dublin and thought his performance was excellent.

“It’s wonderful that we now have a venue in the south of the country capable of hosting a world-class artist such as Carreras, whose voice is magical. Hopefully, we’ll be getting a lot more concerts like this,” he said.

Mr Carreras stayed in the newly-opened Brehon Hotel, Killarney, but did not have time to visit local beauty spots and flew out from Cork Airport after the concert. His performance was, for many, the highlight of the third Killarney Summerfest, which finished with a colourful fireworks display last night.