Officers of Midland Opera

After pursuing music as an interest all his life Malcolm joined MO for its 50th Anniversary in 1996 and has taken great pleasure in singing with the company ever since – first as a tenor then as a bass. Prior to retiring he spent a lifetime in science education and for the last fifteen years created and managed a company providing support for science teachers across the nation on behalf of the Association for Science Education.



Pat has been a member of Midland Opera for many years. Her first leading role with the society was Messenger of Peace in Wagner’s ‘Rienzi’. Following that, Pat performed numerous leading soprano roles, including the Fairy Queen in ‘Die Feen’, Wagner's second opera. As a young protegé of Arthur Street, she developed a fine soprano voice acclaimed in the national press for its excellent quality. She has found every role extremely rewarding, but most memorable were the title role in ‘Aida’, Lady M in the Scottish Play and, of course, the title role in ‘Turandot’. Pat has also produced operas for Midland Opera and other local societies and as well as being a Teacher of Speech, Drama and Singing, she has spent the last seven years as an official National Examiner of speech and drama. Pat was elected President in 2008 and feels it is a fitting tribute to Arthur, that she should take his place at the helm, after he had such an unalterable affect on her life's course. Barry joined the company in 1979 ( "just help out on this scene" , he was asked ) and besides appearing in every opera since then including some minor principal roles, has had a variety of responsibilities backstage and on committee. He was Chairman between 1982 and 1999 , and again between 2002 and 2004. A chartered accountant by profession, he has been involved as auditor/ accountant to many professional arts and media companies and charities, as well as a number of actors, singers and musicians amongst his tax clients.


In addition to singing and playing the piano, Pat played the violin in the Staffordshire Youth Orchestra in her early years. After qualifying as a clinical chemist, she studied ballet for ten years before returning to singing. Since then she has become a primary teacher and was awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Music from Birmingham University. Having gained wide experience of choral and solo singing, she joined Midland Opera in 2000. Since then has taken the roles of Mrs Nolan in ‘The Medium’ and Annius in ‘La Clemenza Di Tito’ and Madame Larina in 'Eugene Onegin'. Pat is a solo and choral singer with a number of other choirs and societies, and is a participant in numerous vocal and choral workshops throughout the region. Clive began singing with Forward Operatic Company, playing a number of roles including Prince Orlofsky in ‘Die Fledermaus’ and Bartolomeo Dellacqua in Strauss’s ‘A Night in Venice’. He sang Escamillo in ‘Carmen’ with Kennet Opera, and for RSO sang many major roles. For Consensus he was the Count in ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ and M. Aristide de Chateau-Yquemin in ‘Not in Front of the Waiter’. With Midland Opera he sang Marco in ‘Gianni Schicchi’, Iago in ‘Otello’, Prince Galitsky in ‘Prince Igor’, Valentin in ‘Faust’, Dr. Dulcamara in ‘L’elisir D’Amore’, Tonio in ‘I Pagliacci’, Samuel in ‘A Masked Ball’, Morales in Carmen, and has also sung with the Birmingham Bach Choir. Clive is a Consultant Clinical Scientist in Birmingham and is a Research Lead for a number of NHS regions. Emma joined Midland Opera as a chorus member 5 years ago, and has participated in all the productions since then, as well as many of the annual concerts. Since joining the company Emma has rekindled an interest in performing which she was introduced to in childhood when her father would write plays for the children to perform. She is now enrolled with the Birmingham School of Acting participating in evening classes on Creative Drama. Outside of the company Emma works as a Modern Matron at one of the major Birmingham hospitals. She also spends her spare time participating in various activities which have included Dog Sledding across the Arctic for charity. She is a member of the Rabbit Welfare Association (RWA) and has shared her house with house rabbits for the past 16 years, much to her family and friends' amusement. Lorraine was introduced to opera in 1992. Since then she has appeared for Midland Opera as Marguerite in ‘Faust’, twice as Nedda in ‘I Pagliacci’, as Marenka in ‘The Bartered Bride’, Adina in ‘L'Elisir d'Amore’, Monica in ‘The Medium’ and Servilia in ‘La Clemenza di Tito’, Oscar in ‘A Masked Ball’ and the title role of 'Carmen'. Lorraine has been a member of Midland Opera since 1993 and was Co-Chair from 2006-2010. Her 20-year profession as a Graphic Designer benefits MO in its publicity and marketing, and the design of the web site.