Musicians voice fears that Sinfonia may cease performing

Orchestra members have voiced concerns that their ensemble may “never play again” following an announcement by a ballet company regarding a potential closer collaboration with an opera company. Northern Ballet, situated in Leeds, West Yorkshire, disclosed last week its intention to “begin exploring a strategic partnership” with Opera North. This collaboration would involve Northern Ballet’s dancers performing alongside Opera North’s orchestra. Mary Gilbert, 53, an oboist with the 27-member Northern Ballet Sinfonia for 25 years, expressed apprehension that their final joint performance on June 9 might have been their last. She stated: “It’s very upsetting.” Northern Ballet issued a statement indicating that the company is contending with growing financial strains stemming from production and touring expenses. The statement read: “We are maintaining dialogue with members of Northern Ballet Sinfonia as we are conscious of how challenging the past 12 months have been for them, and that in pursuing a partnership with Opera North, this will impact on the livelihoods of a group of freelance musicians who have had a long and cherished association with the company.” In the previous year, Northern Ballet had announced its intention to utilize recorded music for certain performances, rather than live musicians. John Melbourne, the principal percussionist for the orchestra, commented that the suggested merger would result in a “watering down of both companies”. He further stated: “Two Yorkshire-based orchestras will become one. How can this be good news?” “No details of how any of this will work have been shared with us, but one thing is for sure, and that is one orchestra cannot do the job of two.” “Therefore, there will be less opera and less ballet coming from these two once great companies.” “If this is allowed to continue, there will be no opera or ballet companies in the north.” Ms Gilbert remarked that a merger would constitute a “massive diminishing of arts in this country”. She also stated: “I don’t want to be the last incumbent of my chair. Someone passed it on to me and I want to pass it on, too.” The Musician’s Union, an organization representing professional musicians, indicated that despite Northern Ballet characterizing the initiative as “exploratory,” the prospect of it leading to the elimination of the long-established orchestra was “deeply troubling.” Paul Reed, the North of England regional organiser, commented: “The musicians at Northern Ballet Sinfonia have been working there many years – decades in some cases – and many have dedicated their professional lives to Northern Ballet.“It’s a precarious situation and these sorts of decisions will have an impact on the talent pipeline.“It will be deeply disappointing if the company goes through with it.”