Sofia Celenza

Zeke was my boss.  I met him when we were teaching English on a summer camp in Germany. All the kids adored him, and frankly so did I.  Some people can leave such a lasting effect and impact just by being who they are; Zeke was one of those people.  His positivity was contagious.   …

About ten years ago I met Chris during an internship in an office in Berlin. We worked together only a few weeks before he left, but I remember us chatting and laughing a lot. He told me that when there was nothing to do (which was the case quite often) he would clean the office…

I’m so shocked to hear of your death, Christopher. We met briefly in Munich when I revived George Benjamin’s opera Written on Skin, and your bright energy was utterly engaging. Your warmth, fun and clear talent shone at every moment and I can’t believe your light has been extinguished so soon. RIP

Christopher was to have joined us in Norfolk to conduct the Yorke Trust’s summer opera production of Handel’s Jephtha this year after a stunningly successful Come & Sing Mozart’s Requiem day in February, and Jennifer Hamilton’s memorable production of Purcell’s The Tempest last July.  Members of our community chorus, seasoned amateurs and those new to…

In 2018 I was asked to play for a carol concert for SKY and asked my colleague Peter Stark if he could recommend someone to lead this – ‘someone warm, kind, inclusive, communicative and joyful’ – Peter said ‘I have the very person – Chris McMullen-Laird’. And he was all these things, and more.