First Time a Winner
Gwyneth & I could hardly believe our luck when we got an e-mail from Steve to say we had won the competition including a visit backstage after. Being groupies we had met Lesley before but this was special.
The concert had music by Handel, Franck, Schubert, Beethoven, Canteloube, Einaudi, Giampieri, McCabe, Bridge and Faure.
To finish Emma Johnson had arranged a medley of Gershwin melodies for clarinet (Emma) cello (Julian Lloyd Webber) piano (Andrew West) and soprano (Lesley) in Benny Goodman style.
Steve and Lynne took us backstage after to meet Lesley where it was a hive of activity putting her frocks safely away for future concerts. Steve took photos of us with Lesley [see the Photo page]. I said to Lesley "I did not realize you could sing Jazz." Her answer was "Neither did I." What other opera singer would do that? We also watched Lesley posing for photos for a cancer charity.
As we went back to our hotel a Leeds to Ripon double decker bus went past and on the back was a great big picture of Lesley advertising the show. I have never seen the back of a bus look so good. Thanks for a wonderful night.
Francis and Gwyneth
20th July 2010