FOUR talented soloists from the world of opera are joining together to give a special concert at The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond on Sunday, September 16, at 7.30pm, in aid of a local charity providing dance lessons for children with special educational needs.

September Song will feature Graeme Danby (bass and compère), Valerie Reid (mezzo soprano), Sarah Fox (soprano) and Austin Gunn (tenor) who will provide a varied programme of music, including pieces by Mozart, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Quilter and Flanders & Swann. They will be accompanied by Martin Dack on the piano.

Between them the soloists have performed at some of the world’s leading operatic venues, not least Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House, La Scala in Milan and Teatro de Liceau in Barcelona.

The event will raise funds for ‘We Can Dance’ – a charity providing dance lessons for children with special needs in the North of England. Local schools that have been supported by the charity include Beaumont Hill Academy in Darlington, Abbey Hill Academy in Stockton-on-Tees and Billingham South School.

All four soloists have strong connections to the region. Graeme Danby was born in Consett, County Durham and is Professor of Practice in the Performing Arts Department at The University of Cumbria; Valerie Reid is a vocal tutor at The University of Sunderland and visiting Professor at the University of Cumbria; Sarah Fox was born and educated at Giggleswick in North Yorkshire; and Austin Gunn teaches for Durham, Leeds and Hull Universities.

n Tickets for September Song are priced between £11 and £26 and are available from the Box Office on 01748 825252 or by visiting www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk