Northern Ballet Sinfonia: Musicians fear for its future

Members of the 27-piece Northern Ballet Sinfonia fear for its future following the recent announcement of a cost-saving “strategic partnership” between Northern Ballet and Opera North.

The Leeds-based company is currently undergoing an organisational review to create a “leaner, more agile structure”, including a plan for its dancers to perform alongside Opera North’s orchestra.

Speaking to BBC News, the orchestra’s principal percussionist, John Melbourne, said that any merger would result in 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.”

Oboe player Mary Gilbert, who has played with Northern Ballet Sinfonia for 25 years, said a merger would be a “massive diminishing of arts in this country”.

She continued: “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 Musicians’ Union is currently campaigning to save Northern Ballet Sinfonia

MU general secretary Naomi Pohl said: “The Sinfonia musicians are still listed on the Northern Ballet website, and they have been working for the company for years, in some cases decades.

“We can’t stand by as work for musicians just disappears.”