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Save Our Opera Company

"STEP FORWARD" FOR OPERA COMPANY RESCUE

08-02-2008

Birmingham Opera Company has described yesterday’s crisis meeting with the Arts Council as a “step forward” – but major issues still have to be clarified before a rescue plan is agreed.

The continuing uncertainty means that this year’s production of Mozart’s Idomeneo – due to be staged in July and August – remains in the balance.

Jean Nicholson, BOC’s general manager, and their musical director Graham Vick were called to see Arts Council West Midlands boss Sally Luton – who, as we revealed yesterday, was calling on the Company to improve its financial management and expand it’s community involvement (see link here).

“It was a positive meeting” was Nicholson’s verdict.

“We went in there with some good ideas about how we could address their concerns and keep them happy.

“Both camps will now go away and think about what’s been said before we meet again and go forward.”

The Company was told in December that its Arts Council funding was being cut but following a public outcry, cash has been put aside for two years starting in 2009 – subject to a compromise being reached.

It remains unclear whether funding will be available for Idemeneo, but Nicholson said, “At the moment we haven’t knocked it on the head.

“We’ve got some wonderful singers and a great conductor still keeping the dates open in their diary, which is a wonderful vote of confidence in our future.

“It’s on a knife edge but we’re still in their fighting.