 A MASSIVE rock concert celebrating Liverpool's unique place in popular music is at the heart of Capital of Culture events for 2008. The summer event centred on a floating stage at Albert Dock will feature world renowned artists, say organisers. However, although Sir Paul McCartney is top of the speculation list to headline the May concert, no names were being released today. Among nearly 100 events outlined by the Culture Company so far, and detailed in a special ECHO supplement today, is acommunity programme promising activities "on virtually every street corner". A giant televised nativity, revealed by the ECHO yesterday, will herald the main programme, starting in December next year. Special commissions, celebrity concerts and exclusive exhibitions will add to the glamour of Liverpool's year representing the entire UK at the top of Europe's artistic league table. Peter Postlethwaite, the former Everyman actor turned Hollywood superstar, is being lined up to play King Lear in a theatrical extravag anza. Special musicals will tell the stories of Liverpool's cult 70s rock club,Eric's, inMathew Street, and the Adelphi Hotel. Also in theatre, a new version of Anton Chekhov's classic, Three Sisters, will be set in Liverpool's Jewish community. Liverpool-born Sir Simon Rattle will bring his Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra to Liverpool forone of only twoconcerts in the UK, as well as conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Britain's leading classical composer Sir John Tavener will write a choral work for the Philharmonic, and there will be a combined performance between the Philharmonic and the choirs of both Liverpool's cathedrals of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem. The work will also be sung in partnership with the choir of Cologne Cathedral in Liverpool's senior twin city. An exhibition based on life and work of the famous 20th century architect Le Corbusier will be staged in the Crypt of the Metropolitan Cathedral. Some Liverpool buildings will be transformed into new uses, including the former Yates' Wine LodgeinMoorfields, the facade of which will be made to revolve as an art work. Culture company bosses stress that today's disclosures are the first of many. They say thatLiverpool'sCapital of Culture programme is more advanced than any city in the history of the competition. news@liverpoolecho.co.uk Secrets and world records on way >>> | 
