Read what the local press have had to say about our most recent presentations. Then come along and see for yourself at our next production

2009 Macbeth - Christopher Morley writing in the Birmingham Post

'4 out of 5 stars!
'Midland Opera's production of Verdi’s Macbeth has much to commend it: lively chorus work, some excellent solo performances, and a crisp delivery from the Queen’s Park Sinfonia of the score in Eric Wetherell’s adroit reduction
'...fine solo performances, beginning with John Kiefert as a sturdy, sonorous Macbeth...three wives alongside him: Sophie Levi charming and promising, Lorraine Payne stylish and imperious, and Kym Sheargold with an efficiently-delivered Sleepwalking Scene...a great find was the Lady-in-Waiting of Jacqueline White. Look out for her...

On the 2009 Verdi Concert in Stourbridge; Russell Eden of 102.5 The 'Bridge', remarked...

'Wow!! The hairs on the back of my neck are still standing up. Fantastic!'

2008 Carmen - Christopher Morley writing in the Birmingham Post

'Many congratulations to Midland Opera ... one of the region's great amateur companies.'
'Carmen is refreshingly staged by a talented young directorial team, and graced with a chorus full of vigour and character.'
'... brilliantly effective stage-setting ... orchestra delivers Bizet's score magnificently ... Phil Ypres-Smith conducts with loving enthusiasm ...'
'... Rachel Skinner gives a vocally appealing portrayal of Michaela ... Don Jose and Escamillo efficiently sung by Mark Ellse and John Kiefert ... tremendous performance and characterisation of Carmen from Lorraine Payne ...'

2007 Masked Ball - Paul Marsden writing in the Birmingham Evening Mail

'How nice to hear a Verdi opera sung in English, and how good to see it performed in the style delivered by the hugely talented Midland Opera Company.'
'... the costumes are impressive ... the dramatic masked ball scene is beautifully staged ... a gripping opera'
'...John Kiefert gives a magnificent performance as Count Renato ... tenor Mark Ellse is an excellent King Riccardo ... outstanding performances from Kym Sheargold (Amelia) and Lorraine Payne (Oscar) ...'

- and Christopher Morley also wrote in the Birmingham Post

'... great things are achieved with the chorus ... the pragmatic sets become a star in the final act ...'
'... men's roles sung with commitment and strong delivery ... Clive Thursfield (Samuel) gives a strong portrayal, with Sheila Giles a vivid Ulrica ... colourful score crisply conveyed by the Queen's Park Sinfonia ...'

Midland Opera (then known as Midland Music Makers) featured in a Birmingam Post article earlier in 2007 reviewing opera in the region.

'Midland Music Makers, a company with a proud history of producing grand opera in Birmingham, has reinvented itself with gusto. New members are joining from across the region. A young directorial team has much to do with this renaissance and credit is due to Stoford Limited which as main sponsor is helping the company to plan for the future. A huge fillip is a new association with Queen's Park Sinfonia who receive consistently favourable reviews for their concerts and will provide a vibrant canvas on which the singers can deliver.'
Come along and see one of our next productions or take the opportunity to be part of our exciting future ?!