Business district takes to stage for opera run

BIRMINGHAM’S business district has been working with a city opera company to recruit hundreds of staff into performing on stage.

Birmingham Opera Company signed up staff from around 30 companies across the city centre with the help of Colmore Business District BID to learn about performing.

The resulting group, known as ‘Colmore Chorus’, recently performed at the Christmas lights switch on and is now looking ahead to the opera company’s next run in the spring.

It will be performing seven shows of ‘Life is a Dream’, based on the Spanish play by 17th century playwright Caldéron de la Barca, next March in a yet-to-be-confirmed venue.

Jean Nicholson, general manager of Birmingham Opera Company, said: “The Colmore Chorus has been a resounding success, with participants enjoying not only the pleasure of singing but also additional benefits such as enhanced confidence and stamina, better presentation skills and posture, all attributes which  can be applied to their professional lives.”

Michele Wilby, manager of Colmore Business District Business Improvement District and Colmore Chorus member, added: “Colmore Chorus has provided a unique and fun way of bringing the business community together to learn new skills and to network.

“The choir has made a great impact in the local community and we are now getting requests from local venues to perform.”

Pic from left: Opera director Graham Vick, Colmore Business District manager Michele Wilby, Birmingham Opera Company general manager Jean Nicholson and Colmore BID chairman Gary Cardin at the launch of ‘Life is a Dream’ in Birmingham.