Sinfonia 'may never play again' - musicians

Northern Ballet decided to reduce live music performances in 2023

Members of a major orchestra have said they fear it will "never play again” after a ballet company announced it was considering working more closely with an opera company.

Northern Ballet, based in Leeds in West Yorkshire, announced last week it was “beginning to explore a strategic partnership” with Opera North that would see its dancers perform with Opera North’s orchestra.

Mary Gilbert, 53, who has played oboe for the 27-piece Northern Ballet Sinfonia for 25 years, fears their last performance together on 9 June may have been their last.

She said: “It’s very upsetting."

A statement from Northern Ballet said the company was struggling with increasing financial pressures from production and touring costs.

It said: “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.”

Last year, Northern Ballet announced it would be using recorded music instead of live musicians for some performances.

Northern Ballet said it was struggling with increasing financial pressures

The orchestra's principal percussionist, John Melbourne, said the proposed merger would be a "watering down of both companies".

He added: "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 said a merger would be a "massive diminishing of arts in this country”.

She added: “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.”

Opera North's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute

The Musician’s Union, which represents professional musicians, said while Northern Ballet had described the move as “exploratory”, the idea that it would cut the longstanding orchestra was “deeply troubling”.

North of England regional organiser Paul Reed said: “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.”

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