THERE was some rather exceptional singing at the NCH on Saturday. Roberto Aronica, Barra O Tuama's latest import, is an exciting Italian lyric tenor whose open-throated delivery and ringing top were matched by a flowing line and true musicality in everything he sang. And what he sang was astutely geare to his particular skills; arias from Donizetti's L'Elisir d'Amore and Lucia Di Lammermoor, a characterful Ella Mi Fu Rapita from Rigoletto and a honeyed Salut Demeure from Faust, the latter topped by a glorious high

C. The only noticeable flaw in his technique was a difficulty in negotiating fist-passages.

He was joined in the Lucia scene that begins at Sulla Tomba by Cara O'Sullivan, whose contributions to the evening gave further evidence, if any was wanted at this stage, of her growing stature as a world-class opera singer. She chose a programme of some diversity; following Rosina's mezzo-pitched, Una Voce Poco Fa from Rossini's Il Barbiere, in which, she made subtle use of occasional chest voice to cope with, the lower notes, she gave an impeccable account of Anna's difficult Non mi dir from Don Giovanni. Then she contrasted the beautiful prayer from Act, 3 of Verdi's Forza Del Destino with the fountain scene and duet from Lucia before bringing the house down with a stunning Ah! Fors' E Lui and Sempre Libera from La traviata. Ms O'Sullivan is undoubtedly the Irish opera superstar of her generation and it is imperative that one of our companies snaps her up immediately before she disappears onto the international circuit.