When Opera For All’s weekly sessions at Fallowfield’s Union Chapel were forced to close with the death of its tutor more than three years ago, organiser Harold Weightman sought desperately for a replacement. Joyce Kennedy and Menorah Synagogue came to the rescue.
Joyce, author of Who’s Who in Opera, and widow of music critic and writer, Michael Kennedy, is now beginning her fourth monthly series of illustrated lectures at Menorah, held every first Thursday of the month.
Menorah members Robert Shields and Ken Singer are the techies responsible for screening the extracts selected by Joyce. As word has spread, more and more opera lovers of all faiths have been drawn to her sessions.
As Joyce refuses to take payment, Menorah contributes half the door money, amplified by donations from participants, to her favourite charity: The Joyce and Michael Kennedy Award for the Singing of Strauss, a prestigious prize awarded annually at the Royal Northern College of Music. At a recent session, a card, filled with appreciative sentiments from participants, a bunch of flowers and a donation of over £600 were presented to Joyce.
For details of Menorah Synagogue’s events programme, visit Menorah.org.uk.