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Concert in memory of ‘inspirational’ Leeds composer and teacher
Geraldine Connor.
A celebration of the life of Leeds arts pioneer Geraldine Connor will take to the stage at the West Yorkshire Playhouse next month.
A Gala for Geri will be held on Saturday, March 31 and is set to feature the words, dance and music that she loved.
Highlights will include extracts from Geraldine’s best known work, Carnival Messiah, and some specially devised performances by some of her favourite collaborators.
Geraldine, a celebrated teacher, composer, performer and director, died in October last year after suffering a heart attack at the age of 59.
Hundreds of people attended her funeral at St Aidan’s Church on Roundhay Road, including David Lascelles, the new Earl of Harewood.
Diane Dickson, one of the gala organisers, said: “We want to make sure that people remember Geraldine’s life and that her legacy lives on.
“We’re putting on the same show at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in London on March 24 and we hope that a lot of people will come and we can revive her work.”
Performers at the concert will include singers Ronald Samm, Simone Sauphanor and Brian Green; actors Ram John Holder, Renee Castle, Nigel Wong and Jojo Kelly; and dancers David Hamilton, Ayo Jones and Jonathan Bishop.
As reported in the YEP last year, next month’s concert is being organised by Geraldine’s long-time friend, Professor Gus John.
There are also plans to establish the Geraldine Connor Certificate of Achievement, for Leeds youngsters who perform exceptionally well in the arts or music.
It is hoped that a campaign led by friends, family and the Earl of Harewood, David Lascelles, will result in Carnival Messiah being played at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.
* Tickets for A Gala for Geri cost £10. To book, call the West Yorkshire Playhouse box office on 0113 213 7700 or visit: www.wyp.org.uk
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