Audience members, singers and musicians share their thoughts about InterOpera events. 

Lilian Black, second generation survivor

Darkness to Light was a most magnificent event, just amazing and so moving: a fitting tribute for the liberators and the survivors and those who sadly perished. We will never forget it. It was so lovely that my mother's sister could be there with my two cousins - it was sad dad couldn't be there but I gave him a blow by blow account. 
It is I who must say thank you to you all. The whole event was incredible and wonderful, especially the sounds at the beginning and the engagement of the choirs and young people. The director is to be hugely congratulated. 

Lilian read her father Eugene's account of the liberation

Sarah Caplin (1)

What a triumph! 

It was such an amazing event - I can’t believe it’s a week on and I am only just writing to congratulate you for inviting us to be part of the most impressive and important commemorative service. We found it inspirational. As one, when the DLI veterans stood up to process down the nave, leading the local children, my family burst into tears. We were so moved by their courage and dignity which touched everyone who was present.  

It was a huge challenge to mark 70 years since the liberation of Belsen, the most appalling and inhumane of Nazi atrocities, in a way that conveyed to people who were alive at the time, as well as those who were born decades later, the horror of what occurred - and it was perfectly judged. 

Darkness to Light, Durham Cathedral, April 2015 

Sarah Caplin (2)

The combination of music, singing and readings in such a magnificent location was skilfully selected and brilliantly executed by all the contributors. 

I know that our Uncle Alfred would have been delighted that his foundation was able to support your event - and I wanted to say how very grateful the guests were for the privilege of attending. I was so pleased that Esther made the impromptu vote of thanks to you and your team.

It was wonderful to be a part of the experience at Durham Cathedral last Saturday - I will always remember the service and how our Aunt Jane’s words - and deeds - were honoured. Hearing the Rabbi singing Kaddish in Durham Cathedral for all the Jews who perished in the holocaust is something I will always treasure. 
  
Thank you so much for making it happen.

Darkness to Light, Durham Cathedral, April 2015 

Lt. Col. John R. Heron, Durham Light Infantry

My party of Veterans thoroughly enjoyed the InterOpera evening. For some it was their first experience of 'live' opera.  For all it was a very moving experience. Even our old boys had tears running down their faces in some parts of the programme.
I am extremely grateful that we were allowed to take part, and we will remember it for the rest of our lives.

Darkness to Light, Durham Cathedral, April 2015 

Anna Bradley

I just wanted to say a huge thank you and well done for all your hard work on Saturday night. It was such a though provoking night, extremely well organised and a wonderful location. a really moving experience for me and all my family, especially as my grandfather was part of the DLI. 

Darkness to Light, Durham Cathedral, April 2015 

Mike and Clair Stones

My wife and I were privileged to attend "From Darkness to Light". We would like to congratulate all those concerned in staging what was a very moving and thought-provoking occasion. Readings were aptly chosen and well delivered and music performed to a high level. Above all it was entirely appropriate that surviving members of the DLI, there when the camp was liberated, should be part of the parade. Moving also were the lines of children, each carrying shoes and the pile of footwear assembled at the font symbolising the victims.

Truly it inspired us to believe that such evils should never be forgotten and that every effort be made to ensure that the like never happens again.

Brenda Hall

As a member of the Inter-Opera Chorus I just wanted you to know what an absolute joy it was  to be part of the wonderful "Darkness to Light" concert on Saturday. 
The Darlington Youth Choir and the Apollo Male Voice Choir were truly beautiful and singing with them, as well as the Reg Vardy Ensemble was a delight. This was of course down to the amazing direction of Alistair.
I certainly hope there will be more opportunities to take part in future concerts.

InterOpera chorus member

This was an amazingly emotional event but, at the same time extremely enjoyable. It was so good to be directed by Alistair again.

Darkness to Light, Durham Cathedral, April 2015 

Colin Dye 2nd baritone horn, Reg Vardy Band

I've been a member of the Reg Vardy Band for over 40 years ... but last night in Durham Cathedral was one of the best and most moving concerts I've ever been part of. The musical style was quite difficult for the band to play. It was a departure from what we normally play. We're all amateurs and many of us are not even particularly well educated in music (including me), but to get to play some of the world's great music, directed by a top class conductor, alongside fantastic soloists was a privilege I wouldn't have missed!

Such an event obviously takes a tremendous amount of organisation, especially to achieve such a highly professional standard, and Lesley Ann must be congratulated for creating a superb evening.

Darkness to Light, Durham Cathedral, April 2015 

Audience member, Riverside Plays Opera, Durham Brass Festival 2011

We wish to place on record our appreciation of the …evening at Consett on July 11th. We had not been to an opera or brass concert before but we thoroughly enjoyed it…We feel fortunate that we were able to experience this concert so near to home, as anything comparable, we believe  we should have had to travel to London to see. We hope that… there may be more presentations in the future.

R. Pedlow

I run a choir in Stockton and myself and some of the members were involved with your Will Todd Fell Ponies project a few years ago at Middlesbrough Town Hall. These choir members still talk about how much they enjoyed being involved with the project…(and) how much they felt they achieved through participation and loved the concert at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

Lindisfarne Gospels Community Choir member, S Robson

I too was lucky to join the choir and was thrilled to be part of such a fantastic event.

Audience member, The Royal Opera House at The Bowes Museum, concert featuring Jette Parker soloists, 2009

I knew it was such a privilege to hear those two voices.  Pumeza will obviously go on to a glittering career and I will be able to say I saw her first in my home town.

Pauline Johnson

You are to be congratulated on the quality of the recording, even with the notorious delay in sound that any performance in the cathedral suffers. It was a great event and I really loved taking part, despite all the hard work and practice.
Hope we get to do something as ambitious again!

Val Court

I have really missed singing with the Lindisfarne Gospels Choir – singing in Durham Cathedral with an orchestra and professional singers and conductor was an experience I will never forget. 

Emerging artist Heather Jill Burns

The coaching Ali gives is fabulous and exactly what I need to feel better about my singing. 

Katie Oswell - young soloist and RSAMD student Festive Treats

This weekend has been unforgettable, a truly incredible experience. I've had so much fun and rising to the challenge of covering Penny has been so rewarding! I am truly grateful for your encouragement and support

Audience member, Consett

I paid twice this amount last night and I only got a brass band... and it wasn't nearly so good

Lindisfarne Gospels Community Choir member

Hope we get to do something as ambitious again!

Audience member, Consett

We'd have to go to London to hear something like this.

Audience member, Consett

There was a real mix (of music). We knew two of the tunes, but really enjoyed it. It was an eye-opener.

Audience member, Carmen, 2005

This initiative is worthy of every penny of its funding; it must be allowed to prosper;  it has so much to contribute to both dales.

Lindisfarne Gospels Community Choir member

I too was lucky to join the choir and was thrilled to be part of such a fantastic event.

Audience member, Consett

 We hope you enjoyed performing just as much as we enjoyed listening and watching … We thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you.

This couple had never attended a music concert in their lives.

Audience member, Consett

We hope that it was as successful for the participants as the audience and hope that there may be more presentations in the future.

Martin Weston

Can I thank you and everyone involved with the collaboration for a wonderful evening of music? It was a pleasure to be able to host a programme featuring soloists of that calibre, alongside an excellent community choir and brass band. A great combination and an enjoyable programme choice ...I do hope that we can collaborate again

Audience member, Bowes Museum

We really enjoyed last night

Audience member, Rigoletto, 2006

We always attend your events and we are so grateful.  The quality is outstanding and far, far superior to any we would hear otherwise in Teesdale.

Audience member, Consett

We wish to place on record our appreciation of the Riverside Plays Opera evening at Consett on July 11th. We had not been to an opera or brass concert before but we thoroughly enjoyed it. It was light, in parts humorous and the music and singing was truly enjoyable. We feel fortunate that we were able to experience this concert so near to home, as anything comparable, we believe we should have had to travel to London to see.

Audience member, Carmen, 2005

Excellent, even better than last year and just lovely to have some opera out in the rural areas.  We miss out a lot as far as opera is concerned.

Member of the NASUWT Riverside Band

Thanks for the last couple of weeks. It really was a special experience… I know the band were buzzing after both performances.

Audience member, Bowes Museum

Thank you so much for a wonderful evening. You must be delighted by the response to this evening's performance, it was absolutely first class.

Audience member, Bowes Museum

It was an absolutely marvellous evening at the Bowes. K. and I were privileged to be present…. how lucky we were to join you [at the performance] last week

Audience member, Tosca, 2004

I have never been to opera before.  I will do again.  It was brilliant. Please do some more.

Audience member, Bowes Museum

Excellent, even better than last year and just lovely to have some opera out in the rural areas.  We miss out a lot as far as opera is concerned. 

Audience member

This initiative is worthy of every penny of its funding; it must be allowed to prosper;  it has so much to contribute to both dales.