FRESH out of the University of Huddersfield with a music degree, Jonathan Cooke set off for the bright lights of London.

Now 35, married, and with his own music label and PR company he is coming back to town to watch a musician he manages.

Singer Lisa Robinson (below) will be playing the role of Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus at the Lawrence Batley Theatre tonight.

Jonathan said: “Lisa has performed throughout Australia as a soloist with a range of highly regarded orchestras and ensembles.

“She was also in great demand as an opera singer, recitalist, and soprano soloist for performances and recordings of oratorios.

“It’s great she will be in Huddersfield to sing at the LBT in what is a very popular opera.

“I’m also going to take the opportunity to meet old friends from University and go out in some of our old haunts.”

Jonathan works with established musicians and up-and-coming artists and is keen to promote emerging new talent.

He left university in 1998 and owes a lot of his success to what he learnt – but also who he met.

He currently manages friend Kevin Kyle, a tenor who he sang with while at university.

Kevin was one of the first artists Jonathan began promoting when he initially set up his public relations business from his one-bedroom flat in West London.

He has since built up his portfolio to include a string of artists and musical ensembles.

Now branching out into music, producing Jonathan has recorded Kevin’s debut album, ‘Songs’.

Jonathan said: “Kevin and I were great chums and he went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music.

“After he left he asked me to manage him and that’s how the whole business started off.

“The recording side of things is still fairly new but I work with artists to fulfil their artistic remit and record what they would like.”

Jonathan remembers his time studying in Huddersfield fondly. He lived on campus in his first year and then moved out to Paddock and in his final year, Fartown.

He said: “The university course is recognised as one of the best in the country and was very enjoyable.

“Some famous and talented musicians have come out of Huddersfield and I met a lot of very interesting and influential people there.”

Originally from Oxfordshire, Jonathan, said he used to get a ‘bit of stick’ for having a Southern accent when out in town, but it was always in good humour.

“Huddersfield is a great place to study and I had lots of fun while I was there and it was nice to be around other creative people.

“It will be great to come back and see Lisa perform in the town.”

Die Fledermaus is a world famous operetta and will be performed by Opera della Luna.

Composed by Johann Strauss II, the operetta is famous for its Viennese Waltzes and is sung in English.

The show begins at 7.30pm tonight at the Lawrence Batley Theatre and runs for one night only.

Tickets are £19, £15, £10 and concessions £2 off.