Alumna to Perform in Nyman’s Hillsborough Memorial

Mezzo-soprano Kathryn Rudge will sing the names of the 96 football fans who died at Hillsborough as part of a new symphony commemorating the disaster by composer Michael Nyman.

Symphony No 11: Hillsborough Memorial will be performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and local singers at the city’s Cathedral during the opening of the Liverpool Biennial on Saturday 5 July. It is based on a work Nyman – famed for film scores such as The Piano and Gattaca – wrote in 1985 and subsequently used in The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover starring Helen Mirren, and is something he hopes will make ‘a small but significant contribution to the healing process still necessary for the families of lost fans.’

Talking of the tragedy, which followed Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in April 1989, Mayor Joe Anderson said: ‘We will never forget those who lost their lives at Hillsborough, or the impact it had on their bereaved families. The anger, pain and sorrow they have felt for the past 25 years is shared by everyone in Liverpool, and by thousands of others across Merseyside, across the country and around the world.

‘Memorials are a symbol of our solidarity and support for the families, and Nyman’s specially-commissioned piece of music will be a moving and unforgettable tribute.’

Kathryn, who was born in Liverpool and has supported Liverpool FC all her life, graduated from the RNCM in 2011 with an International Artist Diploma. She will perform Nyman’s work alongside the RLPO, accompanied by the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth and Training Choirs, conducted by Josep Vicent.

9 April 2014