GMOC PRESENTS - OPERA TAKEOVER: STALYBRIDGE
Stalybridge Civic Hall, Market Hall, Stalybridge, SK15 2BN
Sunday 22nd November 2026 6:30PM
OPERA TAKEOVER: STALYBRIDGE
An extraordinary evening of opera with Greater Manchester Opera Collective
Sunday 22 November 2026 | 6:30pm–8:00pm
Stalybridge Civic Hall | FREE ADMISSION
Join Greater Manchester Opera Collective (GMOC) for a spectacular evening of opera, bringing together internationally acclaimed professional singers, emerging artists from the Royal Northern College of Music and up to 50 talented young performers aged 11–18 from across Greater Manchester!
Following an exciting day of workshops and rehearsals, our young company will take to the stage for an ambitious, accessible and exciting celebration of opera, filled with breathtaking music, theatrical magic and unforgettable performances.
Featuring internationally acclaimed guest artists:
Soraya Mafi – Soprano
British-Iranian soprano Soraya Mafi enjoys an exciting international career, with performances at some of the world's leading opera houses, including Glyndebourne, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Seattle Opera, Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera and Semperoper Dresden.
Elgan Llŷr Thomas – Tenor
Welsh tenor Elgan Llŷr Thomas is a former English National Opera Harewood Artist whose international career has included appearances at the Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera, Opera North and Opéra-Comique in Paris. His concert engagements have included performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
Featuring postgraduate singers from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)
We are also delighted to welcome exceptional emerging artists from the Royal Northern College of Music, who will perform alongside our young company, sharing their artistry and inspiring the next generation of opera singers.
The Programme
Featuring music by some of opera's greatest composers, including Gilbert & Sullivan, Puccini, Verdi, Bizet, Gluck and Delibes, this exciting programme will take audiences on a journey through the wonderful world of opera.
From breathtaking melodies and passionate love duets to thrilling choruses, comedy and high drama, expect an evening bursting with musical magic, theatrical excitement and unforgettable performances!
Whether you're discovering opera for the very first time or you're a lifelong enthusiast, this is an evening for everyone! Come and experience the extraordinary power of opera in a welcoming, exciting and accessible setting.
Opera for everyone
At Greater Manchester Opera Collective, we believe that opera belongs to everyone.
Our mission is to remove barriers to participation and provide young people aged 11–18 with ambitious, high-quality opera experiences, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.
Admission is completely FREE, but advance booking is essential.
With grateful thanks
Opera Takeover: Stalybridge has been generously supported by Tameside Council through its Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2026–2027.
This invaluable support enables Greater Manchester Opera Collective to provide exciting, accessible and ambitious opera opportunities for young people across Tameside and Greater Manchester, completely free of charge.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the Economic Development and Regeneration Flexible Grant (ED&RFG) programme and Greater Manchester Arts funding.
Support the next generation of opera
At Greater Manchester Opera Collective, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to experience the magic of opera, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.
Our events are completely free, but making them happen comes at a cost. If you believe in what we're doing and would like to help us bring more extraordinary opera experiences to young people across Greater Manchester, we'd be incredibly grateful for your support.
Support our Crowdfunder:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-us-bring-opera-takeover-to-stalybridge
Every contribution, however small, helps us make opera accessible to the next generation.
An extraordinary evening of opera with Greater Manchester Opera Collective
Sunday 22 November 2026 | 6:30pm–8:00pm
Stalybridge Civic Hall | FREE ADMISSION
Join Greater Manchester Opera Collective (GMOC) for a spectacular evening of opera, bringing together internationally acclaimed professional singers, emerging artists from the Royal Northern College of Music and up to 50 talented young performers aged 11–18 from across Greater Manchester!
Following an exciting day of workshops and rehearsals, our young company will take to the stage for an ambitious, accessible and exciting celebration of opera, filled with breathtaking music, theatrical magic and unforgettable performances.
Featuring internationally acclaimed guest artists:
Soraya Mafi – Soprano
British-Iranian soprano Soraya Mafi enjoys an exciting international career, with performances at some of the world's leading opera houses, including Glyndebourne, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Seattle Opera, Dallas Opera, Houston Grand Opera and Semperoper Dresden.
Elgan Llŷr Thomas – Tenor
Welsh tenor Elgan Llŷr Thomas is a former English National Opera Harewood Artist whose international career has included appearances at the Royal Opera House, Scottish Opera, Opera North and Opéra-Comique in Paris. His concert engagements have included performances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra and Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
Featuring postgraduate singers from the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM)
We are also delighted to welcome exceptional emerging artists from the Royal Northern College of Music, who will perform alongside our young company, sharing their artistry and inspiring the next generation of opera singers.
The Programme
Featuring music by some of opera's greatest composers, including Gilbert & Sullivan, Puccini, Verdi, Bizet, Gluck and Delibes, this exciting programme will take audiences on a journey through the wonderful world of opera.
From breathtaking melodies and passionate love duets to thrilling choruses, comedy and high drama, expect an evening bursting with musical magic, theatrical excitement and unforgettable performances!
Whether you're discovering opera for the very first time or you're a lifelong enthusiast, this is an evening for everyone! Come and experience the extraordinary power of opera in a welcoming, exciting and accessible setting.
Opera for everyone
At Greater Manchester Opera Collective, we believe that opera belongs to everyone.
Our mission is to remove barriers to participation and provide young people aged 11–18 with ambitious, high-quality opera experiences, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.
Admission is completely FREE, but advance booking is essential.
With grateful thanks
Opera Takeover: Stalybridge has been generously supported by Tameside Council through its Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2026–2027.
This invaluable support enables Greater Manchester Opera Collective to provide exciting, accessible and ambitious opera opportunities for young people across Tameside and Greater Manchester, completely free of charge.
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the Economic Development and Regeneration Flexible Grant (ED&RFG) programme and Greater Manchester Arts funding.
Support the next generation of opera
At Greater Manchester Opera Collective, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to experience the magic of opera, regardless of their background or financial circumstances.
Our events are completely free, but making them happen comes at a cost. If you believe in what we're doing and would like to help us bring more extraordinary opera experiences to young people across Greater Manchester, we'd be incredibly grateful for your support.
Support our Crowdfunder:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-us-bring-opera-takeover-to-stalybridge
Every contribution, however small, helps us make opera accessible to the next generation.
Event Details
Doors Open at 6:00PM
From 6:30PM to 8:00PM
