What's a boy to sing? That was the question at the National Concert Hall yesterday as a steady stream of wannabe "popera" stars arrived to audition for a place in a European crossover supergroup.
Organised by an international record company which kept its own name strictly sotto voce, the event attracted singers of all shapes, sizes and musical tastes - but snatches of everything from O Sole Mio to Summertime, via Kurt Weill and Donizetti, emerged from the John Field Room, where hopefuls were put through their paces by a panel of four.
First up was baritone Pat Doherty. Not, he explained somewhat breathlessly after giving You'll Find Me At Maxim's his best shot, that he was unusually keen - just that he had to get to Waterford by tea-time to perform in the city's light opera festival. Bearing the magic number "007", meanwhile, was tiny tousle-headed Damien Douglas, who was hoping to wow the judges with his rendition of Love Changes Everything.
At the courtesy desk, a dazed- looking Jason Haskins was trying to find out what it was all about. "My friend just heard about it on the radio and rang me to say, 'Get dressed and I'll drive you into town'."
Tenor in record dash from Walkinstown? What was he going to sing? "I haven't decided yet. Nessun Dorma or Because - whichever I can remember the words to."
"It's all going to happen pretty fast for the winner or winners - the album is mostly planned out and the Christmas single has been written," said judge Cathy Vard of Vard Sisters fame.
Each singer would, she said, be filmed and the results announced when auditions in London, Manchester and elsewhere had been completed.
Win or lose, don't bet on these guys keeping quiet for long. A terrible beauty may just have been born.
