ACCLAIMED opera singer Lynne Dawson says it was a "privilege" to be invited to perform in a Notts village hall by one of her biggest fans.
The soprano singer, who has recorded more than 75 CDs, arrived in Cropwell Bishop on Saturday night for the one-off recital.
Music-lover Elaine Robinson, of Fern Road, in the village, had written to invite the star to perform at her local village hall – but never thought she would accept.
Ms Dawson, 57, said: "I don't do as much singing now as I used to, so I was just delighted to receive Elaine's e-mail.
"There was never any doubt that I'd say 'yes'. I always love doing recitals, so it seemed like a great opportunity.
"I'm not sure I've ever been to Nottinghamshire before, so it's lovely to be here and everyone has made me feel very welcome."
Ms Dawson, who is head of vocal and opera studies at the Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester, had prepared a special programme.
"All the songs I'm singing are my favourites," she said. "There are some German and French songs, as well as some English ones.
"Before I was a singer, I was a French interpreter and I've also spent time working in Berlin, so I love singing songs in a foreign language. Finding ways to make them as effective as English ones is hugely interesting to me."
Dr Robinson, 59, first fell in love with Ms Dawson's voice when she heard her sing Libera Me, from Verdi's Requiem, at Princess Diana's funeral in September 1997.
She has since been to see Ms Dawson perform in Sowerby, Yorkshire.
She said: "Lynne's voice just gave me the tingle factor. It's one of those voices that gets you by the jugular.
"She's got so much power but also so much restraint and can still sing soft when she songs high. It's just beautiful.
"I joked to my sister about whether we'd be able to attract Lynne to Cropwell Bishop, and then I just thought I'd write and ask her.
"She replied immediately and said she would love to come. I was amazed! We were so fired up and I said we would have to have a grand piano."
Dr Robinson managed to hire a grand from Clements Pianos and arranged for the recital to take place at The Old School in the village.
Pianist Jonathan Fisher, who is a staff pianist at the Royal Northern College of Music, also agreed to accompany Ms Dawson.
The recital was sold out and was attended by more than 80 opera-lovers.
Villager Tim Travis, 59, said he was impressed that Ms Dawson had agreed to visit the village.
He said: "I immediately bought tickets, as I knew I'd be hearing some beautiful music.
"I was surprised to hear Lynne Dawson was coming to Cropwell Bishop, but Elaine Robinson is such a doer and a mover so in some ways she never surprises me with what she manages to come up with!
"A lot of people are very excited to be part of something special."
Money raised from the recital will go to Crohn's and Colitis UK, an organisation close to Dr Robinson's heart as her 34-year-old niece, Alexandra Harris, has the disease.
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