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| info@midlandopera.com 07840 1340380 | History in the making! |
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 Arthur Street, Founder  Kath Street  Pat Nixon, as Baba, takes the whip to Toby in 'The Medium, 2003.  Pat Nixon and Kym Sheargold. Eugen Onegin 2005  Pat Nixon holds a seance, in The Medium 2003 It all started with one man.Dr. Arthur Street (1910-2006) was founder and dreammaker of Midland Music Makers Opera Company, now Midland Opera. A born leader, his work as a respected metallurgist led him to become a best-selling author. He was a dedicated family man, with a driving passion for music. Arthur founded Midland Music Makers in 1939 as the 'Gooch Street Choir'. The choir soon grew in confidence and reputation. In 1946, the same year as the formation of the WNO, Arthur – who had a considerable knowledge of opera – decided to stage an ambitious production of Borodin's ‘Prince Igor’. Kath, his wife, helped make costumes and the whole company pitched in making sets and dressing the production. It was a resounding success, and set a course which was to affect the lives of hundreds of singers, musicians and stage technicians for the next 60 years (and counting). Arthur not only conducted, but produced many of the early operas, driving up from London for rehearsals, and back down again straight afterwards. Never tiring of the challenges, he provided enormous inspiration and leadership as the company grew, and enjoyed bringing on new talent, revelling in their moments of glory. In particular the tutelage and support which he gave to young singer, Patricia Nixon, was to begin a musical career spanning decades. Pat began singing smaller solos in concerts, eventually undertaking a host of major soprano roles including Turandot, Aida and many, many more. But equally important was the close friendship which developed between the three. This became a lifeline for Arthur and Kath as their health became problematic. Pat's companionship enabled them to continue visiting the theatre, which was their lifelong love. When Pat became President in 2008, she seemed the natural choice for the company, bringing an encyclopaedic knowledge of opera, a wicked sense of humour, and a deep love for the company. Midland Opera would not be the company it is, if it were not for Arthur and Kath’s dedication and spirit. They have touched many lives. For a full list of previous productions, plus some programmes, keep scrolling down! ... 2015  The Thieving Magpie - Rossini 2014 The Magic Flute - Mozart 2013 The Elixir of Love - Donizetti2012 Turandot - Puccini2011 Jack Faust & Sister Angelica – Gounod & Puccini2010 The Tales of Hoffmann – Offenbach2009 Macbeth – Verdi2008 Carmen - Bizet2007 A Masked Ball - Verdi2006 Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci - Leoncavallo & Mascagni2005 Eugene Onegin - Tchaikovsky2004 La Clemenza Di Tito - Mozart2003 The Medium & Trial by Jury - Menotti and G&S2002 La Traviata - Verdi2001 L'Elisir d'Amore - Donizetti2000 Carmen - Bizet1999 The Bartered Bride - Smetana 1998 I Pagliacci - Leoncavallo & Aunt Caroline’s Will - Albert Roussel 1997 Faust - Gounod 1996 Prince Igor - Borodin 1995 Moses - Rossini 1994 Otello - Verdi 1993 Gianni Schicchi - Puccini & Cavalleria Rusticana - Mascagni 1992 La Gioconda - Ponchielli 1991 Nabucco - Verdi 1990 The Bartered Bride - Smetana 1989 Amelia Goes to the Ball & Amahl and the Night Visitors - Menotti 1988 Carmen - Bizet 1987 Sister Angelica - Puccini & I Pagliacci - Leoncavallo 1986 The Pearl Fishers - Bizet 1985 Hugh the Drover - Vaughan Williams & The Wandering Scholar - Holst 1984 Aida - Verdi 1983 Il Tabarro - Puccini & Cavalleria Rusticana - Mascagni 1982 The Thieving Magpie - Rossini 1981 The Maid of Orleans - Tchaikovsky 1980 Jewels of the Madonna - Wolf-Ferrari 1979 Macbeth - Verdi 1978 Turandot - Puccini 1977 Carmen - Bizet 1976 La Gioconda - Ponchielli 1975 Cav & Pag 1974 William Tell - Rossini 1973 Aida - Verdi 1972 Idomeneo - Mozart 1971 Sister Angelica - Puccini & The Travelling Companion - Stanford 1970 Die Feen - Wagner 1969 Jacobin - Dvorak 1968 Prince Igor - Borodin 1967 The Thieving Magpie - Rossini 1966 Zampa - Herold 1965 Moses - Rossini 1964 Lelisir D'amore - Donizetti 1963 Rienzi - Wagner 1962 The Sicilian Vespers - Verdi 1961 Ivan the Terrible - Rimsky-Korsakov 1954 Massaniello - Auber 1953 I Lombardi - Verdi 1952 Boris Godunov - Musssorgsky 1951 The Huguenots - Meyerbeer 1950 The Gypsy Baron - J Strauss 1949 William Tell - Rossini 1948 The Trojans -Berlioz 1947 The Snow Maiden - Rimsky Korsakov 1946 Prince Igor - Borodin |
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