Durban opera singer Stacey Almond has been invited to sing in the Huge Aids Benefit Concert being organised for Tim Janis' promotional CD in New York at The Riverside Church.

Tim Janis came to South Africa to perform in The Symphony of Hope Concert that Stacey staged at The City Hall in May of this year, and from hearing her sing in this same concert, came the return invitation to fly to New York and sing there on December 1.

The Sinikithemba Choir was subsequently invited to take part as it featured on the new CD, having recorded two songs at The Playhouse recording studio when Tim Janis was in Durban.

After New York, the group travels to Chicago and then to Washington. An appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show is in the pipeline, as well as a reception with Koffi Annan at the South African Embassy in Washington. Stacey will also be travelling to Boston and on to Florida.

Stacey Almond has a new CD out on release shortly, with tenor Derick Ellis and pianist Gerhard Geist - entitled Geared for Opera". Recorded at the SABC Recital Studios, it features famous operatic arias and duets from the most popular soprano and tenor repertoire from operas such as The Magic Flute, La Boheme, La Wally, L'Africaine, La Traviata and Samson. Also on the CD are popular favourites from My Fair Lady and West Side Story with songs such as Granada and Time to Say Goodbye. Price R89 on the Classical Concerts Label.