Annie Lennox has collaborated with London City Voices choir for a virtual performance of her latest single Dido’s Lament.
The former Eurythmics star belts out her arrangement of Purcell’s classic aria, taken from the 10th Anniversary Edition of Lennox’s holiday album, A Christmas Cornucopia, in the clip, accompanied by 276 members of the choir.
The collaboration is in partnership with Greenpeace, who Annie has supported over numerous campaigns as an Ambassador, with the star admitting it’s “an honour and privilege to have been able to create this unique event in collaboration with the London City Voices Choir during this unprecedented time of the 2020 Covid 19 pandemic”.
“I’m deeply touched and grateful to my friend and co producer Mike Stevens and choirmaster Richard Swan for making this possible,” she explains. “Also, to each choir member who took part from their homes through the medium of Zoom.
“As a long term supporter of Greenpeace I am deeply concerned by the Global Climate Crisis, which I feel is the most urgent challenge we all have to face, particularly with regard to sustainability for future generations.
“I very much hope to be able to make a contribution by drawing attention towards this vital issue.
“Additionally, I feel a tremendous sense of empathy and concern for everyone who has lost a dearly beloved friend or family member this year and hope this recording can offer a moment of shared collective mourning for those whose lives have been taken.”
Lennox first released the collection a decade ago, including the singer’s favourite Christmas songs and one original track, Universal Child.
Of the inclusion of the new cover on her latest reissue, Lennox previously highlighted the “comparison to the destruction human beings have brought upon the planet”.
When it comes to climate catastrophe, we are on the edge of abyss. I really believe we don’t have much time left to make an effective change,” shares the Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) hitmaker.
“We are looking at a civilization on the downwards side. This is the truth of this matter. It’s staring us in the face and we are not paying any significant attention – continuing on as if it doesn’t exist. I see Dido’s Lament as a lament for our dying planet.”