George Michael performs at the Royal Opera House

11/07/11

Last night George Michael performed at the Royal Opera House in London as part of his 'Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour'. It was a special black-tie Symphonica charity concert of which all net proceeds benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation's newly created Elizabeth Taylor Memorial Fund to support its global work helping people infected or affected by HIV.

George Michael spoke earlier of what had inspired him to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation in this way, "I've seen how HIV can affect people lives, how it can destroy families and communities. The way that the Elton John AIDS Foundation gets help to the people around the World who need it most – often the most marginalized communities - really spurred me on to do something. I also really wanted to honour the inspiring efforts that Elizabeth Taylor made – especially in the early years of the epidemic - and to mark her passing this year."

George Michael's gig raised a total of £987,000 for the Elizabeth Taylor Memorial Fund, his publicist said.