It’s Can-Can in place of Communion!

10:13am Thursday 29th November 2007

Bradford Cathedral will reverberate to the sound of the French Can-Can this weekend.

The overture to Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld contains the piece of music associated the world over with the high-kicking cabaret dancers of Les Folies Bergere in Paris.

But this exotic knees-up is only part of the concert organised by Bradford University's Tasmin Little Music Centre, consisting of 20th century French choral and orchestral music, featuring young Bradford singer Phillipa Cairns.

Both her parents are professional musicians. Her father, Andy, plays bass guitar for Gerry and the Pacemakers.

Phillipa said: "Growing up in a family that was immersed in music it was almost inevitable that music would become a big part of my adult life."

During term time she is a Birmingham Conservatoire student studying singing and opera.

Otherwise, she sings and plays in the female trio Laura, Phillipa and Sarah. She also tours Europe as a solo soprano, which must take a lot of nerve.

On Saturday she will be singing in the company of conductor Chris McElroy and Bradford composer Jonathan Brigg.

Works include Poulenc's Gloria, Saint-Saens's Carnival of the Animals - featuring a narration by Iain Bloomfield, artistic director of Bradford University's Theatre in the Mill - and Saint-Saens's finale from his dramatic Organ Symphony.

Mark Haydn Robinson, musical director of the Tasmin Little Music Centre, said: "We are thrilled to have clinched the services of such a promising young vocal star.

"Following the success of last year's sell-out performance in the Cathedral, it will be a real treat for our audience to hear such a wonderful, young soprano.

"Phillipa has a talent which will be closely followed; she is undoubtedly one of the singing stars of the future.

"The concert will be a rich feast of French music, coupled with wonderful local talent."

• The concert starts at 7.30pm. For tickets ring (01274) 233191 or go online at www.music@bradford.ac.uk

Editor's choice