HEAVY METAL OPERA - Steelworkers' Chorus, supported by the Community Union

In summer 2004 Suzannah went on to the Blast Furnace at Redcar steel works to search for some fun-loving steelworkers with a sense of adventure! She found 10 who agreed to learn to sing opera, although most admitted to struggling to sing in the bath!

They performed in a newly commissioned children's opera in July, and by October they were singing with Tony Blair in front of the world's media at the end of the Labour Party Conference.

They have already appeared on the BBC 6 and 10 o'clock news and in most of the major national papers but that is not enough, they are hungry for more and intend to sing for voluntary groups in the North East and raise money for children's charities. They also want to show the world what fun opera can be so...watch this space!!!

PRESS RELEASE

Steelworkers from Teesside were invited by local opera star, Suzannah Clarke to take part in her latest performance, Blaze, at Darlington Railway Museum.

Workers from Redcar blast furnace, Corus Northern Engineering Services and security joined Middlesbrough-born soprano, Suzannah, as they took part in the open-air opera concert.

Needless to say, after only six hours of expert tuition from the freelance opera singer, there were no budding Pavarotti's, Domingo's or Carreras', but as Suzannah said: "I'm mightily impressed with their vocal ability".

The community opera ran on five consecutive nights and was a sell out. Set around the town's railway heritage, the steelworkers took to the stage as navvies as they sang along-side groups of local school children.

Government body, Creative Partnerships Tees Valley, funded Suzannah's brainchild, whilst Northern Stage provided actors as well as co-ordinating the production. The aim is to encourage local youngsters to get involved with the arts.

The music was written by young modern composer and conductor, Will Todd, from Durham. Toby Satterthwaite was Librettist and the production was directed by Northern Stage's Alan Lyddiard.

"The enthusiasm and talent of the Corus lads was staggering and rehearsals often took place following 12-hour blast furnace shifts," said Suzannah. "They were brilliant. I take my hat off to these men, they really have good voices and they sang like angels".

And moving on ...Suzannah, with the backing of the Community Union (formerly the ISTC) is looking to see them make another performance as they sing at the Labour Party Conferences.

Graham Dunn, shift co-ordinator at the blast furnace, said he would do what he could to help, but even when he got a few recruits he was still doubtful whether they could actually be of any help, let alone turn up for rehearsals. He said: "They did turn up and once we sang together, I knew we could do it. Watching Suzannah's face on the first rehearsal was quite something and I knew from her expression that she was impressed. It was a wonderful experience and we all enjoyed ourselves. I'm proud of my fellow work colleagues and it was truly a privilege to work with Suzannah and Northern Stage, such professional people. The kids were magnificent and I hope we can do it again."

Steve Mitchell, blast furnace team member said: "There's a first for everything. When Suzannah came to the blast furnace mess room seeking volunteers to sing opera, I thought we were on Candid Camera. The experience was brilliant. I could only sing Boro songs before this. It was great to see how the whole thing was put together and how much work went into the opera, particularly "Tarrier", Mark. The 'crack is now "sing ye tarriers sing" and we shall."

Blast furnace team member, Jonathan Still, said: "Opera is not one of my musical tastes normally, I'm more Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. This is the first time I have ever done anything like this and I'm proud of what we have achieved. I think we even managed to surprise both our work mates and the professional members of Northern Stage. It was a privilege to learn from such a well-known and talented singer as Suzannah. I hope we can continue and try other things together".

Dave Hunter, blast furnace control room team leader said: "Who would have ever thought a group of Corus volunteers would sing opera on stage. The experience was fantastic and will be etched in my memory forever. It was the first time I have been involved in anything like this, but with Suzannah's help and the Northern stage team it was an awesome experience. The media cover given to the opera and the fact that we were Corus workers was unbelievable, especially when we turned up for rehearsal at Darlington railway museum."

Peter Hayden, electrical craftsman, Northern Engineering Services and his brother Andrew Hayden, former Corus employee, are also members of the chorus.

Bob Nun, Security, was probably the one group member in the right place at the wrong time. As he escorted Suzannah around the site she asked if he would like to take part in an opera. Bob told her: "I can't even sing in the bath let alone in public. I'm 55 years of age, have three children and three grand-children". After the opera he said the grandchildren "still can't believe their granddad was singing on stage."

After appearing in five sell-out performances, it goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks".

OPERA SINGING STEELWORKERS TO PERFORM AT PARTY CONFERENCE

INTERNATIONALLY renowned opera singer Suzannah Clarke will be helped by some real men of steel when she sings the Red Flag at the Labour Party conference this year.

Suzannah, who is ambassador for her hometown of Middlesbrough in the North East of England, has enlisted ten steelworkers to accompany her in the singing of the traditional Labour Party anthem.

The eight men and one woman, Graham Dunn, Steve Mitchell, Jonathan Still, Dave Cashman, Davy Hunter, Bob Nunn, Peter Hayden, Andrew Hayden, and Sue Johnson, work at the Redcar steelworks in Redcar, just outside Middlesbrough.

Suzannah worked at the Redcar steelworks herself before making her career in opera. She returned to the plant earlier this year to see if any of the workers would take part in a major children's opera organised by the Government-funded creative arts project, Creative Partnerships Tees Valley.

Despite being more used to coke ovens and blast furnaces, and never having sung opera before, the ten, who are being sponsored by the steelworkers union Community, volunteered to attend coaching sessions with Suzannah and their hard work paid off when they performed to sell-out audiences in Darlington in July.

One of the men, shift co-ordinator Graham Dunn, said: "I have been known to sing at a karaoke when I've had a few beers but that is nothing compared to opera singing".

"We all really enjoyed taking part in the opera and even though we have had a bit of ribbing from our friends and family, everyone has been very supportive and we are now looking forward to singing in front of Tony Blair."

Suzannah, who has sung in principal roles in opera houses from the Coliseum in London to La Scala, Milan, and was taught by Pavarotti's teacher, said she is delighted with the progress of the steelworkers.

"They may not all be Pavarotti's just yet but I am really proud of what they have achieved and I am sure they will literally have a blast at the Labour Party Conference.

"These are ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things and they deserve all the plaudits they are receiving."

The steelworkers will perform the Red Flag and Jerusalem with Suzannah on the last day of the party conference on Thursday, 30th September.