Singer's shock after dad collapsed at farewell concert

11:02am Wednesday 2nd April 2008

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ONE of East Lancashire's best known classical singers has spoken of her shock after her father collapsed at a farewell concert.

Mezzo soprano Sue Moretta is moving to Spain but before she left she held a performance at St Mary's RC Church, Clayton-le-Moors, at the weekend.

Sue, 49, said her father, Bill Smith, 80, of Milnshaw Gardens, Accrington, collapsed at the end of a highly emotional evening.

She said: "Dad was taken ill at the end of the show. It was horrendous when he collapsed but I'm glad to say that he has now made a full recovery.

"It wasn't his heart, I think the occasion was all too much for him. I would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of support and want to let everyone know that he is alright."

Bill, a retired weaving mill worker, is still a member of Accrington Male Voice Choir, which he has been since he was a boy.

Sue, who has been a singing teacher in Clayton-le-Moors, and a regular performer appearing with Accrington Male Voice Choir, will be leaving for Spain later this summer.

Sue, of Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, has been a musical performer for most of her life, starting off as a pub and club singer before diversifying to classical and opera shows and music teaching.

Sue, along with her husband Dennis, 49, and youngest daughter Nicola, 17, is now emigrating to the region of Almeria in southern Spain where she hopes to keep working as a singer.

She is well known in the area through her teaching and performing.

She said more than 200 people turned up to watch her final performance in the area and said she was overcome with the amount of support she has received.

Sue added: "It was a great night and fantastic to see so many people there. It was a great success."

The show at the church in Devonshire Drive last Friday, saw Sue share a stage with soprano Beverley Shuttleworth for a series of Oratorios.