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| Now I'll never stop dancing |
| Written by Administrator | |
| Wednesday, 13 October 2004 | |
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The world of opera owes a lot to Lesley Garrett's aunt. If it were not for her, Lesley would probably have ended up as a scientist - and opera would have lost one of its best ambassadors.
It was while she was in the sixth form studying science A-levels that her aunt took her to London for a week and gave Lesley her first experience of a West End musical. "It was fabulous," recalls the Doncaster-born artiste. "I just completely fell in love with the West End and was determined to sing there, no matter what it took. "Halfway through my sixth form I decided to aim for the top, so I applied to the Royal Academy of Music, because I felt a classical training would train my voice properly. I was lucky enough to get a place. "I thought opera singing was the most wonderful and technically challenging form of singing I had ever come across and I just wanted the challenge of it. "I didn't for a minute think I'd be successful, but thought if I could meet the challenge of opera, I could meet the challenge of anything." This summer, millions of people saw her take up another successful challenge when she participated in the hit TV show, Strictly Come Dancing. Natasha Kaplinsky Lesley jived, waltzed and foxtrotted her way across our screens every Saturday night and made it through to the final against BBC1 newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky. And while it was her rhythm and ability to vary her dance steps that impressed the judges, it was her enthusiasm and effusive passion for ballroom dancing that won her the audience's vote. "I loved Strictly Come Dancing because it was so creative and made me feel fit and alive in a way that a lot of things never had," she says. "In fact, I still see my dance partner, Anton du Bek, every week for a practise. "I lost 18lbs doing Strictly Come Dancing - I'm never going to give it up!" Another thing that Lesley refuses to give up is her love affair with Manchester. Every year she returns to the city and alternates between classical and gala concerts, and this Friday she is doing a gala concert at the Bridgewater Hall. "Manchester is fantastic, a real northern showpiece," she claims. "From the educational point of view it has some wonderful schools of music, it's got the Hallé, some great bands have come out of the city and it's got loads of theatres and the Royal Exchange. The drama is exceptional. "It's an absolute centre of excellence by any standards and a place that I come to sing at whenever I have the opportunity - I never need to be asked twice. "The audiences are very knowledgeable and discerning, too, so you know if you're appreciated in Manchester you're doing well. "While it's good that more people are listening to music, it can encourage people to be lazy and not come to opera houses or concert halls to hear the live experience. "This is a great shame and something we all have to guard against as everyone knows there's no comparison between watching or listening to a football match on the TV or radio and watching a live game from the stands - it's the same with music." Source |
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