A LIVERPOOL lawyer is set to take centre stage in one of the highlights of the city’s Capital of Culture programme.
Elspeth Christie, a solicitor at DLA Piper, will join the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir in three performances of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem.
She will travel with the choir to Cologne’s Altenberg Abbey for the performances.
The soprano from Wavertree, who attends regular rehearsals, on top of her job in the construction and engineering practice of DLA Piper Liverpool, said: “The choir is made up of 150 people from all over Merseyside.
“Its members are drawn from a wide range of occupations with more than one solicitor.�
This week, Elspeth will take time out from her career as a legal advisor to perform alongside the Oratorio Choir of Cologne.
She added: “It’s tough practising four nights per week ahead of the concert, but we’re all really looking forward to performing in Germany.�
Following the Altenberg concerts, the Oratorio Choir will then travel to Liverpool to repeat the performance at the city’s Anglican Cathedral in a recital sponsored by the Culture Company.
“We’re delighted to be able to host the Oratorio Choir, especially during the city’s Capital of Cult- ure year,� continued Elspeth.
Britten’s War Requiem is one of the 20th century’s greatest choral works. It holds special importance to Elspeth as it was part of her first concert with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic choir over 16 years ago.
“I’ve sung all of my life, first in the church choir from the age of six and then in the Philharmonic choir from the age of 15.
“It can be difficult jug- gling work commitments with choir practice, but I’m lucky to have such a rewarding career and hobby,� said Elspeth.
Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem takes place in Altenberg Abbey, Cologne, on Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25, and at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral on Saturday, June 28. Tickets are available from the Philharmonic Hall, but are limited in number.