Opera singers to perform night of music to raise money for Bolton Hospice

Father-of-five Salvatore Sotgiu died in July 2008 from bowel cancer, aged 65.

During his short illness, he was supported at home by staff from Bolton Hospice and his family wants to raise money to say thank you.

The charity opera gala features his daughter Antonia, who was made a Doctor of Arts for outstanding contribution to music by the University of Bolton last July.

The 47-year-old mother-of-two will perform with soprano Lorna Rushton, tenor Kevin Matthews and baritone Craig Smith at Bolton Central Library Theatre on Saturday evening at 7.30pm.

Her sister Gabriella, a mother of three, aged 42, who lives in Harwood, has helped organise the fundraiser.

She said: "Dad was a huge part of all our lives — a true family man who supported all of us in everything we did.

"He was extremely proud of Antonia and used to watch all her performances, secretly filming her so he could watch them over and over again.

"Tonia fondly remembers looking out into the auditorium and seeing my dad's huge smile with his camcorder shoved under his jumper.

"Since he passed away, Antonia has wanted to do a special performance in his memory and we all wanted to say a massive thank you to Bolton Hospice for everything they did to help make his last few weeks as comfortable as possible."

The grandfather-of-nine first came to Bolton from Italy in the late 1960s and worked at The Last Drop Village in Bromley Cross as a waiter.

He went on to work at Enzo's, in Bradshawgate, Bolton, and eventually became the owner of Salvatore's in Westhoughton, now Casa Nostra.

He had a change of career in the late 1980s when his love of antiques led him to set up Bolton Piano and Antiques Export Ltd where he worked until just weeks before his death.

Kevin Thraves will accompany the singers on the piano and there will also be a raffle.

Tickets cost £15 and include an interval drink and refreshments. To book phone Miss Sotgiu on 07786 852366.