TOP opera singers are to take part in a special York charity concert organised by a woman in memory of her sister.

Joy Stromberg, whose sister Jacque Major died of cancer in 1994, hopes to raise thousands of pounds for York Against Cancer through the memorial concert at York University's Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall.

Taking part in a cabaret performance of musical comedy numbers will be soprano Kate Flowers, who has performed with most major UK opera companies, Courtney Kenny, a former member of the music staff of Glyndebourne and contralto Nuala Willis, currently with the English National Opera.

All will perform for no fee, singing works by composers such as Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Noel Coward.

Joy, of Thorganby, near Selby, who has been involved in organising concerts for many years, said the event was the fulfilment of her younger sister's wishes.

"After her first operation, sitting up in her hospital bed, she said to me 'I want you to do one of your concerts for York Against Cancer.' And you didn't argue with my beloved sister!"

She said Jacque, who died aged 51 in 1994, had had an extrovert personality which radiated warmth, generosity and kindness to all around her. "The adage 'when she walks in, the room lights up' might have been written with Jacque in mind."

She said she pressed ahead with organising the concert after being approached by Pat Leveson of York Against Cancer. "She said: 'You're a dark horse! I understand you can do concerts." Joy set about contacting opera singers whom she has worked with over a number of years and was delighted by their response.

"Courtney, Nuala and Kate have enabled me to fulfil my promise to Jacque by unhesitatingly offering their services. When I mentioned it to them, they said straightaway they would come. I'm eternally grateful to them."

She added that Kate Flowers had lost a sister to cancer when she was in her 20s.

The Jacque Major Memorial Concert takes place at 7pm on Sunday, May 3. Tickets cost £12.50 and include canapes and a glass of wine. They can be obtained from Ticket World in York or from York Against Cancer at Minster House, Gladstone Street, Huntington Road, York. For further information, tel York 640300.

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