Royston Choral Society is welcoming back a soprano who is returning to sing with the choir for the first time in 22 years.

Lizzy Franks will sing Verdi's Requiem with the society at 7.30pm on Saturday, April 13, at St John the Baptist Church in Royston.

The choral society will perform alongside East Herts Sinfonia, with soprano Elinor Rolfe Johnson, mezzo-soprano Rebecca Afonwy-Jones, tenor David Webb and bass Frederick Long, under the baton of musical director Andrew O'Brien.

Royston Crow: Lizzy Franks is returning to perform with Royston Choral SocietyLizzy Franks is returning to perform with Royston Choral Society (Image: Royston Choral Society)

Lizzy said: "I think I first started singing with Royston Choral Society when I was 14 or 15, when I was studying GCSE music.

"I suppose I was ticking a box at first and then fell in love with it! I left the choir when I went to university where my course was full on (and at the other end of the country!)

"I also wanted to try other things – my life had been filled with a lot of music up until then! Then teacher training and being new to teaching was very demanding and there wasn’t much time for singing in choirs."

By 2010 Lizzy no longer had the energy for rehearsals and concerts due to ill health, but re-joined her church choir a few years ago.

Now, after reducing her working hours, she feels able to return to Royston Choral Society.

Explaining how she feels about the upcoming concert, Lizzy said: "I’ve sung Verdi’s Requiem a couple of times before, with a university choir in Durham Cathedral, and with Royston Choral Society at Thaxted.

"I haven’t sung with a large audience for many years, so I’m really excited. I’ve learnt so much in half a dozen rehearsals with Andrew – it’s like each one is a singing lesson, and he’s very patient!"

Tickets for the concert are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/royston-choral-society, by phone on 01920 822723 or on the door if not sold out.

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Tickets cost £20, or £1 for under-18s.

Verdi's Requiem was first performed 150 years ago on May 22, 1874, and is widely regarded as a musical masterpiece.

The concert continues Royston Choral Society's 50th season.