International opera star Bryn Terfel sang at a charity concert in King’s College Chapel on 1st February, raising more than £10,000 for charity.

The concert, supported by Sir John Meurig Thomas formerly a Fellow of King’s College and Master at Peterhouse, was held in memory of the late Lady Margaret Thomas and Andrew O’Neill, who was a King’s choral scholar thirty years ago.

Proceeds from the evening went to the Oncology Unit at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where Lady Thomas was treated, and also to the King’s College Chapel fund. In addition to this, a donation was made to the ‘Bryn Terfel Foundation’, which supports artists in the early stages of their careers.

Terfel, who Thomas describes as “an old friend” sang alongside the choir of King’s College, the ‘Philharmonia Orchestra’, the chorus of ‘Cambridge University Music Society’ and the men of ‘King’s Voices’.

King’s College also organised various educational projects that took place during the day, including a music therapy workshop for children at Addenbrooke’s hospital.

Speaking to the King’s College choristers Terfel admitted, “I’m quite jealous of all the opportunities you have around here. When I sang as a teenager in Wales, I had to travel for hours to do these concerts.”

Thomas told Varsity: “I gave generous financial support for the concert to take place and, because Bryn Terfel has been my guest in Peterhouse while I was Master there, he agreed several years ago that he would come to perform with ‘CUMS’ and the King’s choristers. Thomas described the music as “utterly memorable.”