Soprano Denise Leigh is a familiar face at the Battle Proms Picnic Concerts and recently swapped the outdoor stages for ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent before returning for the annual series of concerts this summer.
Denise, and her husband Stefan, stunned the audience on Sunday night, with the couple sharing the story behind their decision to appear.
“Let’s be honest, as performers, the last few years haven’t been a lot of fun.” Denise told head judge Simon Cowell when he asked why they had decided to audition this year. “And then just as everybody was getting back into work I was diagnosed with cancer.”
Denise, who is blind, then went on to blow the crowd away, first with her humorous take on the challenges life has presented, and her positive attitude to the difficulties she has overcome, then with her incredible voice as she performed Climb Ev’ry Mountain, the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic from The Sound of Music.
Accompanied on piano by Stefan, who is also blind and an accomplished musician, the duo had judge Bruno Tonioli and the 4,000 strong audience on their feet.
“Every single person in the theatre is on their feet!” host Dec told the couple’s 11-year-old son Dimitri, who was listening from the wings with Denise’s guide dog Tilly.
Following the standout performance Simon Cowell said “you know, without people like you this show is nothing… I’m so happy that you made the decision to come on”, while fellow judge Alesha Dixon hailed Denise’s vocals as “faultless” and “beautiful”.
With each judge then asked to vote yes or no to Denise and Stefan progressing to the next round Simon confirmed what everyone watching already knew: “That’s about a million yeses. Congratulations!”
Looking ahead to their performances at this summer’s Battle Proms
The team behind the Battle Proms were thrilled to see their star soprano perform so brilliantly in Sunday’s programme.
“We’ve known for 20 years that Denise is utterly amazing and we’re so excited to see her perform with Stefan to the nation. Denise, Stefan and Dimitri are very much part of our Battle Proms family, and we can’t wait to welcome them back to our concerts this summer” said Battle Proms event director, Adam Slough.
He added: “And we’re delighted that we can finally announce that Dee will be performing Climb Ev’ry Mountain at all our concerts this July and August.”
About the Battle Proms and group offers
The 2024 venues and dates are:
- Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire - Saturday 6th July
- Burghley House, Lincolnshire - Saturday 13th July
- Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire - Saturday 20th July
- Highclere Castle, Hampshire - Saturday 3rd August
Group offers are available for the concerts which will see Denise performing with The New English Concert Orchestra in a programme that spans iconic pieces from film, TV and the musicals, including the Dam Busters March and Downton Abbey Theme, to classical favourites such as the 1812 Overture and Elgar’s Nimrod.
Audiences can also expect a horseback Cavalry Through the Ages show plus displays from the British Army’s world-famous Red Devils parachutists and the legendary Grace Spitfire. The evenings will culminate with the dramatic Battle Proms signature piece, Beethoven’s Battle Symphony, performed with 193 cannons.
Advance group bookings of 12 or more are eligible for a 10% discount.
For more information and to buy tickets go to www.battleproms.com
