Preview: What Hope For Us Remains?, Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, University of York, January 16

2:21pm Friday 11th January 2008

ONE problem faced by concert promoters is what to do in the event of a soloist pulling out on account of ill health.

When counter-tenor Robin Blaze had to withdraw from singing at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall on Wednesday, the University of York Concert Series was fortunate to find a world-class singer living in York.

Step forward Iestyn Davies, a young counter-tenor with a following for his opera performances and recitals in Britain and the United States, who has moved back to his home city.

On Wednesday at 7.30pm, he joins fellow early music specialists Pamela Thorby, recorder, Rachel Gray, cello, Jason Darnell, tenor, and Peter Seymour, organ and harpsichord, for an evening of Restoration Odes and Elegies by John Blow and Henry Purcell.

Under the concert title of What Hope For Us Remains? , Blow's rarely heard homage to his pupil, Ode On The Death Of Mr Henry Purcell, will be performed alongside Purcell's elegies on the deaths of Queen Mary, Matthew Locke and John Playford, and songs from his operas Dioclesian and The Fairy Queen.

Tickets: £14, £12; concessions £13, £11; students £3, on 01904 432439.