Classical Preview: Another career high note for mezzo Connolly

It is a long way from the days when she was best known for her singing of Baroque opera, specialising in works by Handel, where the vocal requirement is lightweight purity.

Now she returns from some of the world's leading opera houses, including La Scala and Glyndebourne, to take up "residence" in Leeds, much closer to her original home in County Durham.

Connolly served her apprenticeship as a member of the BBC Singers and made the occasional appearance with The Sixteen. It was the period when she grew to know and love Early and Baroque composers. So it was a quantum leap to take on Wagnerian roles such as Brangane in Glyndebourne's production of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, and the vocally-taxing Romeo in Opera North's staging of Bellini's I Capuleti e i Montecchi.

With the combined Leeds Festival and Philharmonic Choruses in Leeds Town Hall, tomorrow night, she sings the role of the Angel in Elgar's Dream of Gerontius with Paul Nilon and Brindley Sherratt.

It will coincide with the beginning of Opera North rehearsals for Antony McDonald's new production of Donizetti's Maria Stuarda where Connolly takes the role of a defiant Mary Queen of Scots fighting for her life.

As both place her in Janet Baker's most famous roles, the fascination to cast her as the successor to the great diva is tempting.

Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, Leeds Town Hall, May 15, 7.30pm. 0113 2243801.