PERFECT PITCH is a new collaboration between Walk the Plank and English National Opera – a space where football and opera collide.
An 8-week programme of community connection and workshops, some with Bury FC fans at Gigg Lane, culminated last week during the match between Bury v Squires Gate, with an operatic and football chant try out from the terraces, and a half time performance.
The half time performance featured ENO soprano Carrie-Ann Williams, and baritone Patrick Keefe, accompanied by the PERFECT PITCH choir and the orchestra of English National Opera. The choir performed a version of the Toreador song, from the opera Carmen, with new words developed by the Bury fans during the workshops.
The combined choir of singers and football fans of 115 included Bury FC and Manchester Laces Fans, Bridgewater Hall Singers, Bury Fire Choir, Pop Vox Choir and Wigan Choral Society.
Bev Ayre, Senior Producer from Walk the Plank, said “We were thrilled with the exuberant response to our first public try out of PERFECT PITCH, as our newly recruited choir of world class opera singers, football fans and choir members serenaded 3,894 Bury supporters, hopefully spurring the home side on to a magnificent 3-0 win. Thanks to Bury FC for their support of this project which we look forward to continuing to develop throughout 2025.”
Lauren Monaghan-Pisano from English National Opera said, “It has been a joy to get stuck into our first programme delivered in Greater Manchester with brilliant partners Walk the Plank, working closely with football clubs and singing groups to build our PERFECT PITCH choir. We are delighted with how much people enjoyed this first sharing of the project, and we can’t wait to connect with more people through opera as we grow the project over the coming months.”
Lead Image Credit: Debs Parr
