A FRIENDSHIP which developed on Facebook has led to the acclaimed British/French cellist Corinne Morris giving a concert in Aysgarth this month.

The Romance of the Cello at St Andrew's Church on May 13 is part of the performer's bid to return to her career as a musician after being forced to give up

recitals because of a severe repetitive strain injury to her shoulder.

Morris worked and studied with Paul Tortelier and Mstislav Rostropovich, who both promoted her outstanding talent, and with Raphael Somer and Bernard Greenhouse.

She had performed throughout Europe, but was so certain she would never play again that she sold her cello, an instrument made by C A Miremont in 1876.

Sports injury therapy and determination paid off in 2013 and she was able to play again on her beloved cello after acquiring it on loan.

Around that time she joined in a conversation on Facebook about one of her concerts and “met” Carol Haynes, who lives in Carperby, Wensleydale, who had just started learning to play the cello.

“We got chatting on Facebook," she said. "I have since been to London and had some lessons with her and we have become friends. I twisted her arm into coming to Yorkshire to do a concert.”

St Andrew’s was chosen because it has an excellent grand piano and good acoustics. She will be accompanied by pianist Nico de Villiers, an accomplished soloist and accompanist, who lectures at Leeds College of Music and at the Junior Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Ms Haynes chose The Romance of the Cello as the pieces of music, if not all from the Romantic period, are all romantic in nature. They include Beethoven’s last sonata, Sonata in D major; Schumann’s Three Fantasiestücke; Debussy’s Sonata in D minor; and Benjamin Godard’s Sonata in D minor.

“Godard was strongly influenced by Schumann. This shines through his sonata which is full of beautiful melodies and passion. It’s a fantastic piece to finish the concert with and something hardly anybody plays. It’s a great opportunity to hear something new from the 19th century,” she added.

There will be a small cello workshop in Wensleydale with eight musicians coming from as far as Morpeth and York.

The concert starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 at the door or £12 in advance from 03336 663366 or via ticketsource.co.uk/cmconcerts. Light refreshments will be available. There is parking at The Falls at £1 per car and disabled parking and toilets at the church.