A FORMER Grosmont resident and blind singer has travelled from Canada to perform at a fundraising concert.

Susanna McCleary, a singer and violinist who now lives in Canada with her family, has travelled with her father John to Monmouth for the latest in a series of Tea with... concerts at The Savoy, which takes place on Sunday.

Ms McCleary trained at the Royal National College for the Blind in Herefordshire before moving overseas.

Tea with Verdi is written and produced by Virginia Blakey, who is the director of a project that develops assistive technology for the blind.

Ms Blakey wrote and produced the production about composer Giuseppe Verdi.

She met the McCleary family through her own teaching work at the college.

She is a professional soprano and fellow of the Royal Schools of Music.

The performance is a dramatic and musical presentation of the great composer’s life, loves and music.

His story is told through the eyes of Guiseppina Strepponi, his wife and companion of 50 years.

Ms Blakey will also be performing some of Verdi’s music from his best-known operas during the concert.

They will be joined by Abergavenny actor Reuben Jones, 24, who will act as the narrator.

Proceeds from this performance will raise funds for blind singers.

Tickets are £12 including tea in the interval, which must be pre-booked.

Tickets for the event without tea are £9.

They can be booked online or by calling the theatre box office on 01600 772467.

Future events at the Savoy include Russell Kane Live and Blood Brothers.

For more information on the show and for further details on tickets, visit mon mouth-savoy.co.uk