Opera singer Lesley Garrett to host 100 Days to Peace gala

The Royal Armouries will commemorate the centenary of the final 100 days of the First World War with a gala in aid of military charities, hosted by Lesley Garrett CBE.

All proceeds from 100 Days to Peace, an evening of music and reflection, will go to Combat Stress, Heads Together and Help for Heroes.

The highlight of the evening will see Sir Karl Jenkins conduct his internationally-acclaimed The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. In addition to hosting the evening, soprano Lesley Garrett will also give two performances including the opening lines from For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon, often referred to as the ‘ode of remembrance’.

Lesley said: “I am so looking forward to performing with Sir Karl Jenkins. Being part of the Royal Armouries’ event in September has struck several chords with me, not least because both my grandfathers served in the war and the stories they told have given me a really personal connection with how terribly affected soldiers were by war and yet it was not recognised.

“For many years I’ve been associated with mental health charities and this was another big reason for wanting to be involved.  The charities benefitting from this event are doing amazing work to help veterans and rebuild societies devastated by conflict. Recognising mental health issues, particularly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, has come a long way in a hundred years but it is important to continue to support those affected and I am honoured to be part of an event that champions that.”

Music lovers will be treated to other notable performances including Samuel Bordoli’s The Great Silence, written in memory of choristers killed in the First World War, with the charity Remembered featuring their 2018 Armistice installation There But Not There. 

Tickets for the gala on 6 September at Central Hall Westminster, London, are available from Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.co.uk/100-days-to-peace.